A Life Surrendered
The start of this blog in 2011, which I named A Life Surrendered, was a response to God asking me to open up about the things I was learning as a wife and mama following God—the good and the bad, the ugly and the beautiful. He used Matthew 5:14-16 in the Message translation to call me out. The lines that urged me on and continue to urge me on are, “Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”
It is my hope, as I share openly and honestly about the things I’ve struggled with, the things I’ve overcome, and the things I still have yet to overcome, that you would come to know the nature and heart of God. You don’t have to fear losing the loving of God when the process of transformation gets long and messy. There’s nothing you can do or not do that will cause God to ever stop pursuing you. He will not stop trying to get your attention, and you always have His.
Articles
![[To Walk or Stay] Ch 5: But I have a right to be loved…](https://www.alifesurrendered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Screen-shot-2013-05-16-at-2.01.10-AM.png)
[To Walk or Stay] Ch 5: But I have a right to be loved…
When we take the stand in demanding our own rights, we are not reflecting Christ’s character. “We reflect His when we lay down our rights. We honor Him when we esteem others higher than ourselves…He called me to esteem my husband higher than myself. He challenged me to serve him from a heart of love rather than insist he serve me.”
Dear weary mama… I’m one too
The poignant and powerful posts written by beautiful mamas and women of God, leading up to Mother’s Day with long lines of flowery words that strung together like a garlands of grace that cascaded into this week, left me rather silent, holding back my own. And it's no...
![[To Walk or Stay] Ch 4: Do you think I’m pretty?](https://www.alifesurrendered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/8560436066_c81c7c0c2f_m.jpg)
[To Walk or Stay] Ch 4: Do you think I’m pretty?
I highlighted whole pages of this chapter, seeing my own struggles, my own insecurities reflected in Lara's words. But she, nor the Lord leaves us to wallow in them. No. The Truth sets us free. And Lara weaves her own personal story and the truth of God's Word in the...
When you offer God what’s in your hands
Last weekend, my husband and I ventured to Palm Springs, CA all the way from our Central Florida home, at the invitation of World Help. We weren’t sure what to expect while there, but we knew we were supposed to go. The weekend far surpassed our exceptions. It wasn’t...
![[To Walk or Stay] Ch 3 He Exposed My Thoughts](https://www.alifesurrendered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/8559350013_882585df7c-1.jpg)
[To Walk or Stay] Ch 3 He Exposed My Thoughts
"He prompted me to consider my thought life. And the discovery grieved me...I claimed to love God and my family. But I tore my own husband apart in my mind. That wasn't love." -- Lara G. Williams, To Walk or Stay That line. Those words. This confession has begun a...
Personal Growth Doesn’t Just Happen
“If you want to reach your potential and become the person you were created to be, you must do much more than just experience life…You must go out of your way to seize growth opportunities as if your future depended on it. ” — John C. Maxwell
[To Walk or Stay] Ch 2: Laying Down my Need to Control
Today we are discussing chapter 2, Laying down my need to control, from To Walk or Stay. The discussion is taking place at my beautiful friend's place, CrystalStine.me. Will you click here to come on over? Even if you are not officially part of the study or haven't...
![Motherhood Redeemed [Part 2]](https://www.alifesurrendered.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Broken2.png)
Motherhood Redeemed [Part 2]
September, has been most generous and gracious host. I'm honored to share Motherhood Redeemed Part 2 at her place, One September Day. The response from Part 1 was humbling and encouraging to say the least. I'd love for you to come over to read my motherhood story, and...
When your clouded in self-doubt + To Walk or Stay Book Club…
What do I do when there are moments and months when self-doubt hovers like a heavy dark, brooding cloud over head? There are lies that incessantly seek to penetrate my mind, and beckon to be believed an acted upon to lead me to an end. To end this race I’m running. And to end writing about it.