When Sorrow and Thanksgiving Meet

My soul aches from wounds left from my bio-mother’s rejection and abandonment and celebrates the love God gives me through my mom-in-law who embraces me with open arms.

I lament the chronic pain that steals my sleep and praise God for the soft pillow upon which I can rest my weary head.

I’m saddened by ways and times my unhealed self hurt family and friends and express deep gratitude for the wholeness to which my Lord draws me.

I grieve the people I won’t see this holiday season and am thankful for the smiling faces I will.

I recoil at the increased evil advancing in our world and shout hallelujah for God’s light that always breaks through the darkness.

And even as I feel the weight of all that’s hard and uncertain this season, I lift my chin, fix my eyes upon my Savior, and realize, I have much cause for thanks.

If you can relate, I wrote this post for you.

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On another note, my latest release, Christmas on the Ranch, has hit the Walmart shelves! Snatch a copy at your local Walmart, Barnes and Noble, or online!

From the back cover:

A Christmas in the Hill Country

Could lead to a new beginning country living is the last thing caregiver Evie Bell wants—but she goes where the work takes her. And this time, that’s a Texas ranch full of terrifying bulls and a handsome cowboy and single dad. Thankfully, the position is temporary. But spending time with Monte Bowman and his twin daughters while caring for his great-aunt will only make it harder to leave. Evie’s here to help this family—not join it. And there’s no place for her at Monte’s side…especially once he learns the secret she’s been hiding.

Buy it HERE.

Why God Might Feel Distant and How to Connect With Him More Deeply – Faith Over Fear

Have you ever wondered why God can feel distant even when you genuinely love Him and want a close relationship with Him? Past experiences of rejection, emotional distance or unmet needs can affect how we relate to others—and how we experience our relationship with God. Jennifer Slattery talks with author, speaker and Anglican priest Reverend Summer Joy Gross about attachment, anxiety and the fears that can leave us questioning whether God is truly attentive, responsive and engaged with us. Summer shares how understanding attachment helped her recognize some of the fears beneath her own people-pleasing and anxiety and how God has been leading her toward greater security in His love. Together, she and Jennifer discuss the pressure to approach God correctly, why we don't have to chase Him or earn deeper connection with Him and how healing often occurs slowly, one encounter with God at a time. Discover how you can bring your full, messy self to God, receive His compassionate presence and increasingly experience the secure, unchanging love of the One who continually draws near. Scripture discussed or referenced: Ezekiel 36:26; Psalm 46:10; Luke 15:3–7, 11–32; Psalms (David’s laments); Mark 10:13–16; Philippians 1:6; Isaiah 51:14 Resource referenced: Emmanuel Promise: Discovering the Security of a Life Held by God by Summer Joy Gross Find Summer Joy Gross: On her website On Instagram On Facebook Find Jennifer Slattery: On her website Instagram Facebook Amazon Subscribe to her free newsletter Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
  1. Why God Might Feel Distant and How to Connect With Him More Deeply
  2. How God Redeems Our Deepest Regrets (ft. Dustin Lolli, lead singer Sanctus Real)
  3. How God Helps Us Repair Broken Relationships
  4. How to Stop Letting Fear Drive Your Need for Control (ft. Lysa TerKeurst)
  5. How to Trust God When You Need a Miracle

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