Girls To Grow

7 Comforting Promises of God to Carry Us Through the Week

August 17, 2022 by Tracey Leave a Comment

When I was growing up, making a promise was a big deal. My parents made sure we knew from a young age that making a promise was serious. It was not something to be taken lightly. If I made a promise, I needed to make every effort to follow through and keep that promise.

As much as I’ve tried to live by that principle, I’m sure that somewhere along the way, I’ve broken a promise. In reality, a promise is only as good as the ability of the person who made it to follow through on it.

How blessed we are to serve a God who keeps every promise He’s made! One place we find that truth is in Numbers 23:19.

“God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?“

After I wrote recently about praising God because He keeps His promises, I challenged myself to meditate on some of those promises. In case you’d like to do the same, I’ve broken seven of them down by days of the week. You could use this same format, rearranging the order of the promises, or exchanging your own favorite promises for the ones I’ve listed.

Sunday: Salvation.

Many verses in the Bible communicate God’s promise of salvation, but one of the most direct is Romans 10:13. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

How wonderful that the plan of salvation is simple enough that even our children can understand and accept Jesus Christ as their Savior at a young age. I especially like reflecting on this promise on Sunday. It reminds me of His resurrection, which brought victory over sin and death.

Monday: Peace.

It may feel like everything’s coming at me on a Monday! Philippians 4:6-7 tells us to be careful or anxious for nothing, but to take everything to God in prayer. He promises that His peace, which can’t be explained, will keep our hearts and minds.

Everything includes any concerns about our children, marriage, financial pressures, job uncertainties, or health issues. All of these and more can be laid at His feet. If we’ll allow it, His peace will flood our souls.

Tuesday: Wisdom.

Every day of the week brings a need for wisdom! James 1:5 assures me that when I lack wisdom, I can ask God for it and He will give it generously.

This is also a reminder of the importance of Bible reading, study, and meditation in my daily walk. That’s where I can find guidance and answers to many of my issues.

Wednesday: Power.

By Wednesday, I may feel overwhelmed with how my week’s going. I need access to the power of God, and Philippians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Not in my own strength will things get accomplished, but through the Holy Spirit’s enabling. I can do anything that God calls me to do.

Thursday: His presence.

In Hebrews 13:5, God says, “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” What a comfort to know that there is nowhere I can go and no circumstances I can face that will cause Him to leave me.

Friday: Direction.

I can rest in Proverbs 3:5-6, which tells me that if I trust the Lord with all my heart, don’t lean on my own understanding, and acknowledge God in all my ways, He will direct my paths.

I also get excited to read Psalm 84:11, which says, “….no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” If I’m walking with Him, He will bring into my life those things that are good for me.

Saturday: Provision.

I’ve made it through another week! I can look back and see what God has done and praise Him for it. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” from Philippians 4:19 lets me know that not only does God know the needs in my life, but He has the resources available to meet each and every one.

I want to make a habit of recognizing God’s promises as they’re fulfilled in my life. If you journal regularly as I do, you could designate a page for writing down promises of God. Then go back and make a note when you see God fulfill one of those promises for you.

Is there a particular promise that’s meaningful to you right now? Please share in the comments below!

Originally published October 2016.

6 Powerful Prayers to Pray for Your College Student

August 10, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

It’s that time of year. School is starting back up and if you, like me, have college students, they’re preparing to return to campus.

Now that one of our daughters is a senior and the other’s a sophomore, I feel like the process goes fairly smoothly. They’ve registered their vehicles for on-campus parking and finalized their class schedules this week. I was out shopping with our younger daughter yesterday and she picked up a few new decorations for her dorm room.

Thankfully they’ve still got two weeks left before they head down to Florida, so we’re squeezing in a bit more time together. I’ll miss them greatly when they leave, but I’m excited about what they’ll be learning and how they’ll be growing in the coming semester.

As I continue my reading through the New Testament this week, I came across this prayer of Paul’s in Colossians 1:9-12.

“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:“

I thought this would be a great pattern to follow as we pray for our college students this semester. Here are six examples from that passage to guide us in praying for our young adults.

Let's look at six specific requests from Colossians 1 to guide us as we pray for our college students.

Pray that they will…

1. …fully know God’s will and have wisdom and spiritual understanding.

“be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” [verse 9]

What a blessing it is for any of us to have this prayer answered in our lives! Right now our young people are making a number of decisions that will affect their future. How important it is for them to know God’s will and have wisdom.

And just like Paul, we’d desire that they have spiritual understanding, May they see beyond the current temptations to sin or the pull to focus on the here-and-now. Rather, they need discernment to grasp the spiritual and long-term implications of their decisions.

2. …live to please God and walk according to His Word.

“walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing” [verse 10]

If the desire of their heart is to please God, they’re going to be okay. None of us are perfect. They may mess up or lose their focus at times as they navigate college life. But if they are grounded in God’s Word and want to please Him, He will guide them back into relationship with Him.

3. …glorify God and evidence the fruit of the spirit in all that they do.

“be fruitful in every good work” [verse 10]

Let’s pray that our children’s relationships, activities, words, and thoughts will bring glory to God. They’ll interact with a number of people on a daily basis and have opportunities to show kindness, patience, and humility to others.

4. …grow in their knowledge of God.

“increasing in the knowledge of God” [verse 10]

May our college kids make the time to read their Bible and pray. They can grow spiritually as they meditate on God’s Word. And perhaps in a way like never before, they can experience God and His work in their lives as they mature in their faith. Which leads us to the next prayer…

5. …rely on God’s strength to endure trials patiently and with joy.

“strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness” [verse 11]

There will be trials this semester. It may be in a relationship, a difficult class, or a physical or financial need. Parents may be far away, but God is always near. Let’s pray that they’ll lean into Him like never before. We know that as they do, God is faithful and will bring them through.

6. …have a grateful heart

“Giving thanks unto the Father” [verse 12]

No room for entitlement here. Their perspective on everything will be much better if they start each day with a spirit of thankfulness.

As I come to the end of this list, I realize how much I need to pray these prayers not only for my college students but for myself!

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8 Pieces of Advice for My High School Freshman

August 3, 2022 by Tracey 8 Comments

(This post was originally published on August 24, 2015. The girl who was starting her freshman year of high school is now entering her senior year of college! Though some time has passed, this advice still holds true.)

Today our older daughter starts high school. These are the years you remember throughout adulthood, a time to make memories and friends and earn a grade point average that actually counts toward college acceptance.

I want her to be grounded in who she is, in who she surrounds herself with, and, most of all, in her walk with God. So many spiritual decisions that could affect the rest of her life begin here.

With that in mind, on her first day of high school, here are eight pieces of advice I’d like to share with her.

8 Pieces of Advice for My High School Freshman

1. Always remember that God loves you. Whatever crosses your path each day has been foreordained by Him. His grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9) You can do all things through His strength. (Philippians 4:13)

2. Recognize that you are made in His image, wonderfully put together. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made….How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” (Psalm 139:14, 17) Your physical traits, your personality, your strengths and weaknesses were all designed by God to be used in His plan for your life and to bring Him glory.

3. Be friendly to everyone. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:….” (Proverbs 18:24) That 7th grader you barely know? Say “hello” when you pass her in the hall. The boy you’re standing in front of in the lunch line? Smile at him. The new girl in your grade? See if she needs help finding a classroom. The teacher who seems to be having a hard day? Say something kind.

4. Be true to yourself. Don’t change who you are to fit into a crowd or please a friend. Be willing to stand alone, if necessary. Even at a Christian school, there will be peer pressure to do wrong. Have the courage to choose to do what’s right.

5. Use your time wisely. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12) Apply yourself to your classes and learn all you can. Outside of the classroom, explore your interests and put your time into activities you enjoy. Choose extra-curricular activities that are fun and that introduce you to new people.

6. Stretch yourself. Try something you think is just outside of your comfort zone.

7. Stay above the drama. Don’t allow yourself to get dragged into friends’ and classmates’ disagreements.

8. Make fun memories. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) With your family, your friends, and your classmates enjoy this season and remember these stories that you’ll be telling your kids in 20 years!

What other advice do you have for a new high schooler?

25 Helpful Things for Freshman Girls to Take to College

July 29, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

I saw on my Instagram this week that some students are already returning to college! The summer seems to get shorter and shorter as time goes by. Thankfully our daughters don’t go back until the last weekend in August.

Now that they’ve both spent some time at college, packing them up to move back into the dorms is fairly easy. But I remember feeling overwhelmed that summer before freshman year when I tried to make a list of all that they needed for this transition.

Today I’m sharing 25 items that our girls have found helpful during their time at college so far. Most of the items on the list we’ve used personally or have purchased something very similar.

This isn’t a complete list of college essentials. I didn’t include some of the basics like towels and sheets and pillows. But for our daughters, the items on this list have helped make their dorm and college life more comfortable!

Amazon affiliate links are included below. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Check out this list of 25 things that will make dorm and college life easier and more fun for your freshman!

1. SafeRest Mattress Protector Twin XL. We’ll start with this cover for that who-knows-how-old dorm mattress your teenager will be sleeping on. I have this same brand of mattress protector on all our beds at home.

2. 2-inch Mattress Topper. There’s a wide range of prices for mattress toppers, but this one is very reasonably priced. It makes those dorm bed mattresses at least a bit more comfortable and should last for several years.

3. GE 3 Outlet Extender Wall Tap. This is nice to use in an outlet near their bed so they can plug in a few different electronics at once.

4. Chunky Knit Throw. I didn’t know this was a thing until our younger daughter asked for one last Christmas. It’s become her favorite blanket. Hers is white, but there are a number of other colors available.

5. Sperry Women’s Saltwater Chevron Quilt Nylon Boots. This was another purchase our younger daughter made. They’re really cute boots and definitely came in handy on those rainy days when she had to walk across campus to class. She has them in ivory, but there are a few other colors available.

6. Iron Flask Retro Sports Water Bottle. I gave our girls three pieces of health advice before they went off to college. “Eat. Drink. Move.” This water bottle helps with the drinking part! This is the one our older daughter uses. She fills it up in the morning and carries it around in her backpack all day. We also like that it came with its own brush for cleaning.

7. Secura Instant Steam Handheld Garment and Fabric Steamer. I knew neither of my girls would iron, but they’ll use this steamer if a piece of clothing is too wrinkled to wear after it’s been jammed in the closet or drawer…or left to sit in the dryer for too long…

8. Small Travel Sewing Kit. Both girls have needed a simple sewing kit from time to time.

9. Photo Clip String Light. I helped our younger daughter hang this on her wall at the beginning of her first semester. It’s really cute!

10. SanDisk 128GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive. You just never know when this might come in handy.

11. Five Crowns Card Game. This is one of our favorite games, but it’s really just an example of the types of games they’ll want to have on hand to play with friends.

12. Gold Armour Camping Hammock. Not surprisingly, I didn’t know hammocking was a thing either until our older daughter went to college. They take their hammocks to a couple of different parks on nice days to study or just relax.

13. Under Armour Hustle Sport Backpack. My older daughter bought this backpack the summer before her freshman year of college. She’s now getting ready to start her senior year, and that same backpack is still going strong! I’m very impressed with the quality, especially since it gets almost daily use when she’s at college.

14. DASH Mini Waffle Maker. This cute little waffle iron kept my younger daughter from going hungry on several occasions last year! Are there two dining halls on campus full of food available to her? Yes, yes there are. But she’s a self-admitted picky eater AND those dining halls aren’t always open at 11pm when hunger strikes. She brought it home for the summer and we’ve used it a couple of times. I must admit, it does make some tasty waffles.

15. Clip Light for Bed. This is nice for studying late at night without disturbing roommates.

16. Classic 6-inch Clip Fan. My girls like it cold when they sleep, so this fan is nice just to keep the air moving around them.

17. Johnson and Johnson Compact Emergency First Aid Kit. Hopefully, they won’t need this often, but it’s great to have on hand.

18. Windproof Travel Umbrella. Keep it small and compact so it fits easily in a backpack.

19. Reusable 12-piece Dinner Set. Four bowls, plates, and cups that are microwave safe, for that late-night bowl of cereal or stack of mini waffles.

20. Heavy Duty Large Mesh Laundry Bag. Something like this is easy to leave on the floor of the closet until it’s full…or overflowing, actually.

21. Under Bed Shoe Storage Organizer. If I had seen this before our girls went to college, I would have added it to our shopping list. Instead, they just had an under-bed plastic storage bin that they tossed shoes into. This would have been a much more organized solution!

22. Plastic Shower Caddy. Depending on the shower set up, they can use the caddy to carry their products to and from the bathroom or just store it in or near the shower. It is important that it’s either mesh or has holes in the bottom for drainage.

23. Small Plastic Trash Can. This can be used in a corner of the dorm room, under a desk, or somewhere in the bathroom.

24. Chip Clips and Collapsible Food Storage Containers. Keep those opened bags of snacks fresh and the leftovers organized in the mini-fridge.

25. Succulents in Pots, Set of 3. Okay, so these aren’t essential, but they do make the room feel a little more homelike! My girls have a mix of real and artificial plants in their dorm rooms.

I hope you’ll find these suggestions helpful as you send your freshman girl off to college!

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3 Important Things a Spirit-Filled Woman Does

July 27, 2022 by Tracey 3 Comments

I was going to start today’s post by talking about how we’re about to wrap up another month. But instead, I decided that I just want to live in the moment and stay in full-on summer mode for a bit longer!

I’ve made it to Ephesians in my current read-through of the New Testament. The passage below is a familiar one, but I want to dive into it a little bit.

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” ~Ephesians 5:18-21

We receive the Holy Spirit when we make the decision to trust Jesus as our Savior. He is the down payment on our eternal salvation, the “earnest of our inheritance.” [Ephesians 1:12-14]

In verse 18 above, we’re instructed to avoid being controlled by alcohol, but instead to allow the Holy Spirit to dictate what we do. Our natural tendency is to allow our flesh – aka our own desires and emotions – to control us.

Yet as we grow in our faith and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, what evidence is there that we’re filled with the Spirit? What’s our part in the process?

I find it interesting that these verses are filled with verbs – speaking, giving, and submitting. Those are things we do. Being filled with the Holy Spirit isn’t just a feeling. It involves action…things we can do because the Spirit gives us the ability to do them.

So how does a spirit-filled woman act?

Let's dive into Ephesians 5 to see three important things that a Spirit-filled person does.

1. She gets a song in her heart.

This portion of the verse uses the phrase “speaking to yourselves.” We can talk to ourselves – but not just with words, but through songs.

Whether or not we’re musical, we can cultivate this in our lives. We can read a favorite Psalm or a hymn, maybe even out loud. Put together a playlist of uplifting, encouraging music. Have a set time during the day to turn it on and sing along.

The more we make time to worship and praise God, the more it becomes a part of us. We will still have days when we’re down, but music can lift us up.

2. She is grateful.

Just like cultivating that song in our hearts, being grateful is a practice. It’s not a Pollyanna, everything’s-great outlook because some days everything won’t feel so great. Rather it’s acknowledging that it’s His will for us to be thankful in all things [1 Thessalonians 5:18] and that every good gift comes from our Heavenly Father [James 1:17]

How do we make gratefulness a practice? In his mind, my husband rolls through three new things he’s thankful for before his feet hit the floor each morning. I write out at least three in my journal during my regular time with the Lord. Those journals have become a treasure, a diary of God’s faithfulness.

Is it always easy to find something to be thankful for? No, but as we do, we can find our whole attitude changing.

3. She has a humble spirit.

The word used in the verse above is submit. Here again, we need the Holy Spirit to empower us. It’s not in our human nature to submit. We are prideful people who want our own way.

But as Spirit-filled women, we get to choose to yield to someone else. Maybe it’s our husband or another family member or a co-worker. We can live humbly as we put others ahead of ourselves and strive to model Christlikeness in our relationships.

I hope that we’ll all seek to be filled with the Spirit and have that song in our hearts, a grateful mindset, and a life marked by humility!

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How to Find Comfort in Praying the Names of God

July 20, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

Hello all! Hope it’s a good week so far where you are. Mid-morning yesterday I went walking outside with a friend in her neighborhood. There was no doubt that it’s the middle of the summer!! I came home and cooled off by eating a bunch of cut-up watermelon from the fridge 🙂

Recently I was doing a quick study on a few of the names of God. (I will say up front that I’m no expert in Hebrew, but I’m trusting that the resources I use are fairly accurate.) As I looked at the meanings of these names and read them in context in Scripture, I realized how comforting it is to dwell on all that our God is and does.

Below is a list of five names of God, an example of how they’re used in a Bible verse, and a prayer we can pray that relates to that name.

Here are five specific names of God to bring us comfort along with related prayers we can use as we talk to God.

1. El Shaddai ~ All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” ~Genesis 17:1

This is the first time in the Bible that this particular name of God is used. The Lord and Abram are well acquainted by now. But in this passage we find God reaffirming His covenant with Abram and changing his name to Abraham.

Abraham is remembered for his faith. “And he [Abram] believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” [Genesis 15:6] Abraham believed in a God who was all-powerful and all-sufficient, one whom Abraham was willing to follow to a new land and totally trust with his future.

Thank you, God, that you are all-sufficient. There is no other God but you, and you are more than enough to meet my every need. You are almighty, the Lord God alone who holds all power and authority. May I see your sufficiency and power at work in my life every day.

2. Adonai ~ Lord, Master

“O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” ~Psalm 117:1

Not much needs to be said here! He is our sovereign Lord and ruler of all.

God, you are worthy of my praise. All knowledge and power belong to you. You created me and then you bought me with a price, the death of your only beloved Son. You are my master; you own me. May I serve you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

3. Jehovah Rapha ~ The Lord who heals

“…If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” ~Exodus 15:26

What comfort there is in believing in a God who has healing power! Yes, this means physical healing. But also emotional healing. Maybe we’ve endured a bad relationship or find ourselves in a season of discouragement. He also offers spiritual healing, foremost salvation through Jesus Christ, and also victory over sin in our lives as we walk with Him.

Oh Lord who heals, hear me today. You know intimately every illness that I have, every weakness. Heal me in every way, I pray. Give me physical strength, emotional health, mental wellbeing and spiritual victory. May all the glory go to you always.

4. El Olam ~ The Everlasting God

“Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” ~Isaiah 26:4

This one reminds me of God’s faithfulness. If we loved and served a God who would eventually fade away, what help would that be? No, our God is eternal. His ability to keep His promises never expires.

It also assures me of my home in Heaven. A God who lives forever has a place prepared for us to dwell with Him.

God, you are the eternal one, with no beginning and no end. We will never cease to worship and praise you. Time means nothing to you; you are the King of all the ages. Your character never changes. Thank you that you keep your promises in this life here on earth and that I will spend eternity with you in Heaven.

5. El Roi ~ The God who sees me

“And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?” ~Genesis 16:13

All of these names of God are comforting, but especially this one! When we feel lonely, God sees us. When we feel abandoned or sad or discouraged, God sees us. There is nowhere we can go, no night so dark, that He is not there watching over us.

Dear God, I find such comfort in your name El Roi. When I, like Hagar, feel forsaken and alone, may I remember that you see me. Let your compassion and concern comfort me. Find me in my brokenness and give me hope and courage.

I trust that we will all find comfort as we grow in our knowledge and understanding of our great and powerful God!

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10 Things You Can Do Today to Be Encouraged

July 12, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

How are you feeling today? In this instance, I’m not talking about your physical health, but more about your emotions.

One day recently I was feeling a little blue, as they say. There was no reason for it, that I knew of. I just wasn’t my usual happy self 🙂

Maybe you can relate if you occasionally have days when you’re a little down and aren’t really sure why. It could be that you’ve had lots of changes happening in your life and it’s a bit overwhelming. Or maybe nothing changes ever and that’s left you rather glum. Perhaps it’s a health struggle or a relationship breakdown or just a case of realizing you’re not getting any younger!

Whatever brings about those days, I would guess that many of us have them. But we don’t want to stay in that unhappy place. And we can’t just count on our circumstances changing to make us feel better. Sometimes we have to step up and encourage our own selves.

It may not be what we actually feel like doing, but it can be what we need to do to turn our mindset around. So if you’re looking for ways to find encouragement, something on this list of ten actions could be helpful. We likely know most of these but it’s always good to be reminded of ways we can encourage ourselves.

Check out this list of ten things you can do to encourage yourself when you're feeling a little down.

1. Go to God’s Word.

Read it. Dive into the Psalms – many of them are short and so relatable when we’re struggling. Choose one verse and write it out.

As you have time, dig deeper into a verse or passage. You could even turn it into your own prayer to the Lord.

2. Pray.

We can pour out every thought, every hurt, and every emotion to God. He hears and is merciful and compassionate.

3. Give thanks.

Just look around and notice all that you have to be grateful for. Write out a few of your blessings every day.

4. Praise God.

Turn on music that is uplifting. Sing some songs out loud while you work around the house or drive in your car.

5. Meditate on God’s promises.

If you know there’s a particular worry or fear that’s getting you down, find a promise of God that addresses that issue.

Is it a financial strain? “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” ~Philippians 4:19

Need guidance? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6

You can also focus your mind on God’s character. For example, read through these six truths about God from Psalm 145 and choose one to meditate on today.

6. Do something for someone else.

Do something small – a text that says, “I’m thinking of you” – or mail a handwritten note. Or do something that takes a little more of a time commitment – make someone a meal or stop by and visit someone who’s currently homebound.

7. Surround yourself with encouraging people.

Reach out to a friend and ask her to pray for you. Head to a church service where you can connect with fellow believers.

8. Read good books that will encourage your heart.

Find biographies of Godly women or search for Christian books that will help you learn more and grow in your faith.

9. Set a small goal to accomplish each day.

Many times we feel better when we have a sense of accomplishment. Determine a small thing you’d like to do – it could be taking a walk outside or exercising or straightening up one area in your house. Tackle it early in the day so that you can cross it off your list and get that little win.

10. Find something to be excited about in the future.

Put an event on your calendar in the next few weeks that you can look forward to. Lunch with a friend, a pedicure, a visit to a craft store for new supplies for your hobby, a walk in a new-to-you park or part of town. Then take care of any planning ahead of time so that you’re ready for your adventure when the time comes.

When you have one of those “feeling blue” days, I hope you’ll choose one or more of these things to do and end the day encouraged!

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10 Helpful Bible Study Resources for Women

July 12, 2022 by Tracey 2 Comments

Hello, friends! Taking a quick mid-summer break from our usual content to share some resources that I think you might find helpful.

This list includes Bible studies, books, devotionals, and a journal. I (or, in one case, my daughter) have personally used all 10 of these items and would recommend them. Click through the links provided to check them out!

Check out these Bible studies, devotionals and books that you can use to help you learn and grow as a Christian woman.

Amazon affiliate links are included below. I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

1. The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer. One of my favorite Bible studies ever!

2. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. It may seem strange to have a fiction book on this list, but I learn so much from it each time I read it. (I try to re-read this book on a regular basis.) The main character’s struggles so perfectly mirror my own in my walk with God. As I see how she gains victory in her life, I’m encouraged to do the same in mine.

3. Women of the Word by Jen Wilkin. The subtitle of this book is, “How to study the Bible with both our hearts and minds.” This book is a very practical help if you want to learn more about digging into God’s Word.

4. Becoming Elisabeth Elliot by Ellen Vaughn. I actually just finished this book recently. It’s a biography of the first half of Elisabeth Elliot’s life. The author gives a realistic view of Elliot’s struggles using many excerpts from her journals.

5. A Woman of Prayer by Betty Henderson. This was a very helpful Bible study on prayer, a subject I always want to learn more about.

6. 3-Minute Devotions for Teen Girls by April Frazier. I actually bought this for one of my daughters in her mid-teen years and she enjoyed it.

7. The Next Right Thing Guided Journal by Emily P. Freeman. I’m on my second of these journals – I filled one up in 2021 and started the next one in January of this year. However, you can begin the journal at any point in the year. It’s grouped by seasons and you just fill in the dates as you go.

8. Keep a Quiet Heart by Elisabeth Elliot. I like this book for its encouragement, but I also like how it’s set up. The “chapters” are short so that it’s easy to read one a day along with my Bible reading.

9. Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan. At one point I used this as part of my devotional time in the mornings. I’d read one story a day after I finished my Bible reading.

10. Sweet Journey by Teri Maxwell. The link here is for the kindle version or you can go here to order the paperback version, which is what I have. A friend at church gifted me a copy years ago and it was a blessing.

Thanks for stopping by the blog today. Let me know in the comments if there’s a resource that’s been a help to you as you study the Bible. Have a great Tuesday!

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10 Ways to Build a Relationship with Your Teenager

July 6, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

Hello friends! I’m back on the blog after a week away for our family vacation. We spent a couple of days exploring Philadelphia, which was fun for us since we all like checking out historical sites. Then we had a day at Hershey Park, a morning visiting Amish country in Lancaster, and finished up with a few days at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, which was very relaxing!

Our daughter’s fiance came in for the July 4th weekend and it was nice, as always, to have him here. And now it’s July 6th already and it feels as if summer is just flying by!

Yesterday I was catching up with a mom who’s just ahead of me in parenting. She already has a couple of young adult married children. We’ve known each other for a while, and she and her husband were a hugely positive influence on our daughters during their high school years.

I was reminded of some of the rough spots we hit with our girls during those teenage years. She and I talked about how rewarding it is when your children make it through those trials and, as best as you can tell, are walking with the Lord.

As I think back over the struggles we had at times, I tried to pinpoint what kept us in relationship with our teens. If I had to name one overarching theme, I would say that our daughters believed that our heart was for them. Even when they disagreed or didn’t like our decisions, I believe they sensed that our desire – whether we always communicated it well or not – was that we wanted what was best for them.

I understand that there are many parents with prodigal children who’ve turned away from God, at least for the moment. Our children make their own choices and they can break our hearts. That could be the case in our family tomorrow. But I wanted to share ten things that will hopefully help us as we try to build relationships with our teenagers.

Here's a list of five things to do - and five things not to do - when seeking to build a relationship with your teenager.

First, let’s look at five things NOT to do when trying to build a relationship with your teenager.

1. Make arbitrary decisions.

Once our children are teenagers, it’s good to move beyond answering their “Why?” questions with “…because I said so.” Try not to make decisions based on a whim or simply because you’re in a good – or a bad – mood.

As Christians, we have the Bible on which to base our decisions. Use Scripture to explain why you are or aren’t allowing something. Does that mean that they will always understand and jump on board with your decision? No, but you do have a reason for what you’re doing, not just something you made up.

2. Be inconsistent.

We all like to know what the boundaries are whether in a job situation or in a relationship. We want our children to be able to trust that our response will be the same no matter what.

3. Be unwilling to listen to them.

Listening doesn’t mean you will give in to what they want, but you can at least give them the courtesy of hearing them out. Communication is foundational to any relationship, so don’t let yourself be the only one who gets to talk.

4. Compare them to others.

Maybe your friend’s teenager gets better grades or is more involved in extracurricular activities or seems more spiritual than your child. Even if you don’t verbalize the comparison, it can affect how you respond to your teen.

5. Fail to acknowledge your own mistakes.

If you’re doing everything perfectly in parenting, I don’t even know what to say. You certainly don’t need to be reading here – please go write your own blog and I’ll come read it!

One of my dad’s favorite lines, when I was a teenager, was, “I’ve never parented a __-year-old before.” We’ve certainly used that with our older daughter – and we could find ways to apply it with our younger one as well. We’re going to make mistakes as parents and we should be willing to go to our child and admit it and ask forgiveness.

Now let’s look at five positive things that we could do to build that relationship.

1. Support their interests.

It may mean spending a little money and perhaps lots of time, but support them in the activities they’re interested in. And make sure it’s their interest and not just yours.

2. Spend time with them doing what they enjoy.

When we were at Hershey Park, I was sharing a memory about my dad with one of my daughters. I’m not sure that my dad actually enjoyed roller coasters, but I do know that if any of us kids wanted someone to ride with us, he would do it.

It’s easy to bring our teenagers into what we love, but let’s make sure we’re seeking to know what their interests are and find ways to join them in it.

3. Pray.

I’ve written a lot about praying for our teenagers already! Pray for specific needs in their lives, and pray for wisdom for yourself as you parent them. Our sovereign God loves them and His Holy Spirit can guide all of us through this season.

4. Use your words to lift them up.

There’s plenty to criticize and lots of things to correct. But let’s keep some of that in check so that we can say, “I love you” and “I’m proud of you.” Be specific with your praise and especially take advantage of opportunities to praise their character and not just their accomplishments.

5. Celebrate their joys and empathize with their sorrows.

Make a point to find ways to celebrate when good things happen for them! That’s usually a lot easier than dealing with a disappointed teen. Be available to listen and empathize without having to offer a solution right away.

I hope these ten ideas will help all of us as we seek to build better relationships with our teenagers!

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The 5 Best Books I Read This Spring

June 24, 2022 by Tracey 4 Comments

Happy Friday! Do you have anything fun and/or relaxing planned for this weekend?

One of my favorite ways to relax is to settle in with a good book. My reading goal for 2022 is to average one book a week. So far this year I’ve finished 37 books so I’m well ahead of schedule!

Now that we’re officially in summer, I thought I’d take a look back at the best books I read this spring. While I did read several non-fiction books, my top-five list is all fiction.

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The top-five books I read during Spring 2022 - and they all happen to be fiction!

1. Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden. I’ve read several books by this author and have enjoyed them all. This particular story takes place in Boston in the late 1800s.

2. Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz. Here’s another favorite author – and another historical fiction book! I’d really gotten away from reading many books in that genre but have gotten back into them lately. Early James Towne colony is the setting for this story. Even though it’s fiction, I like how the author includes actual historical places and people.

3. We Were Kings by Court Stevens. This is considered a YA book, another genre that I don’t read often. However, this mystery drew me in and I was a little surprised by the ending.

4. Provenance by Carla Laureano. Here again, I read this book because I enjoyed previous books by this author. It’s a sweet story of finding redemption and family when you least expect it.

5. The Gem Thief by Sian Ann Bessey. This modern-day story had a good pace and kept me guessing who the “bad guy” was up until the end.

Honorable Mention: Trust Me by Kelly Irvin is a romantic suspense novel that was very good, although I did figure out “who-dun-it” pretty early on in the story. The Letter from Briarton Park by Sarah E. Ladd is a Regency romance and was also an enjoyable read.

Share with me in the comments what you’ve been reading lately!

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