Posts

Posted on

So, You Want to Make a Difference

so-you-want-to-make-a-difference

So, you want to do something extraordinary?

 

Yeah, me too.

 

Make a difference. Change people’s lives. Bring hope to those seemingly hopeless. Impact, encourage, and inspire the world.

 

Sometimes, we just have this ache to…do something.

 

We see the model Christians over in Africa, digging wells and building schools, and those young teens starting nonprofits. We watch as people intervene in crises, take in refugees, adopt a houseful of kids, have this whole change-the-world-plan by age fourteen, and we’re over here in our cozy little homes drinking pumpkin spice lattes and sweeping the kitchen floor and feeling guilty.

Continue reading “So, You Want to Make a Difference”

Posted on

Why Do You Do What You Do?

why-do-you-do-what-you-do

 

Why do I even do this?

 

Deeply breathing, I eke out the words, one by one. And slowly, slowly, my fingers begin to glide over the keys, and I let my thoughts run.

 

I don’t really know what I’m doing.

 

Oftentimes, the words come out more vulnerable than I’d like them to be.

 

What if I’m not living the life I’m supposed to be living?

Continue reading “Why Do You Do What You Do?”

Posted on

When We Can’t Explain the World’s Pain

when-we-cant-explain-the-worlds-pain

Wordless.

 

Sometimes that’s what life makes us.

 

When we see the tragedies in the world, our own selves falling apart, the world splitting with injustice, and evil, and suffering – we don’t know what to say.

 

In our heads, we know that God is all good, all powerful, and full of compassion and love.

 

Yet when life makes us ache, brings us to our breaking point, and the world shouts, “How could you believe in a God that allows you to suffer?” we’re often silent.

Continue reading “When We Can’t Explain the World’s Pain”

Posted on

When Your Soul is Longing to Be Enough

when-your-soul-is-longing-to-be-enough 

Enough.

 

I have a love/hate relationship with that word; the whole concept of adequacy and fullness.

 

Because deep inside of me, there’s this longing to be truly enough…and an aching dread that I never will be.

 

I know that sounds extremely un-Christian and negative, so please do hear me out. This is something I think really needs to be addressed.

 

In a world that seems to require perfection, how can we, as imperfect humans, truly live freely?

Continue reading “When Your Soul is Longing to Be Enough”

Posted on

How to Pursue Purpose-Filled, Intentional Living

how-to-pursue-purpose-filled-intentional-living

I don’t want to write just to write.

 

I penned these words in my journal on July 17th, 2015, a time when I was wrestling with the difference between simply writing words, and writing words that mean something.

 

After timidly claiming the title of “writer,” I decided that maybe that wasn’t who I truly was.

Continue reading “How to Pursue Purpose-Filled, Intentional Living”

Posted on

Purposeful Pages Link-Up: October Edition

Purposeful Pages Meme

Welcome to October’s edition of Purposeful Pages, everyone, co-hosted by the lovely Hannah and me. Through Purposeful Pages, whether we keep it going long-term or it’s a short-term kind of thing, we want to encourage intentionality, individuality, community, and purpose-filled living in all areas of life.

Continue reading “Purposeful Pages Link-Up: October Edition”

Posted on

Today-Living (Or, What to Do When You Have No Idea What to Do With Your Life)

today-living-or-what-to-do-when-you-have-no-idea-what-to-do-with-your-life

Lately, I’ve been having this series of existential crises, those “What am I doing with my life?!” freak-out sessions of ranting and frantic heavy-breathing and banging my head against walls because I literally have no idea in the world what’s gonna go on with my future.

 

It’s…exhausting.

 

I’ve been talking a lot with my amazing parents and my amazing friends about the whole thing, and they’ve tirelessly said Amanda, stop. Breathe. It’s gonna be okay, God’s in control, you’ll figure it out, God’s plan will prevail, and you don’t need to worry.

 

But they’ve also said one thing that has really stood out to me, and if you’re in any similar situation, I hope it’ll help you too.

Continue reading “Today-Living (Or, What to Do When You Have No Idea What to Do With Your Life)”

Posted on

Cover Reveal for Crannig Castle

cc-blog-tour

Happy Monday, everyone! I’m popping back in today (even though I’m technically still on my hiatus) to share with you the cover for my lovely author friend Morgan Elizabeth Huneke’s newest book, Crannig Castle.

Continue reading “Cover Reveal for Crannig Castle”