So many tears. I never knew a person could cry as long or as often as I did in those first weeks after discovering my husband’s secret struggle with porn. The tears showed up without warning—in the shower, in the car, in the dark hours of the night when sleep wouldn’t come. I was sure the pain would stop once he fixed himself. After all, it was his fault we were in this mess. I told myself my healing would come when he finally got his act together.

The practice of abiding may take time, but it is so worth it! It can transform your life.  Are you ready to accept the invitation?

There was a time in my life when I truly believed I had to do it all—and do it well—to be considered a “good” wife, mother, homemaker, and woman of God. Maybe it’s a firstborn thing, or maybe it’s just the weight of trying to live up to expectations I thought were mine to carry. But from an early age, I developed a pattern of pushing through, taking pride in my independence, and refusing to ask for help until I absolutely had to. And when I became a wife and then a mom—especi

Sisters, abiding is not passive. It is a powerful posture of trust. It’s a lifestyle of staying near, being nourished by God, and allowing His life to flow through ours. 

Seeking the peace of Jesus amidst the storms of life is no easy task. Being intentional is key—but how can we focus on intentionally seeking His peace when we feel overwhelmed by everything life throws our way?

Abiding in the True Vine was my lifeline, and disconnection meant a slow death.  As years went on, my circumstances shifted. Sometimes they were better, other times they were worse, but time with Him was non-negotiable. I have learned and am continuing to learn that abiding in Him has different iterations. 

These in-between seasons can be difficult—the ones that fall between hope and heartbreak, between praying and receiving, between holding on and letting go. You’re no longer where you were, but not yet where you hoped to be. And your heart feels caught somewhere between striving and surrender. This is where I’ve been lately. Maybe you can relate.

“I just never have enough time to spend with the Lord. I work forty-plus hours a week, commute ninety minutes both ways, oversee elderly parents’ affairs, and take care of my five-year-old son. I’m either on the road, at my desk, or taking care of someone else’s needs. And on top of that, I never feel like I’m doing any of it well. What does God want from me in the middle of all this madness? How can I carve out time for Him? I feel like I’m constantly failing Him!”

Jesus wants us to lean on and live by His words. Remaining in Him reminds us we cannot, and do not need to, live by our own strength.

She wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t beautiful. The vines looked stripped and sparse. Piles of leafy cuttings lay in brittle heaps at their feet. Every twist, every wire, every bare stem was exposed. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered: This is what abiding looks like, too.

Over these decades together, I've discovered that the secret sauce to marriage isn't winning arguments or proving who's right (though, let's face it, I certainly tried!), but individually abiding in Christ. Trust me, my natural instinct was to "fix" my husband—I had excellent plans—but God patiently reminded me that Rick wasn't a DIY project.

Maybe you’re reading this and wondering if God could really want you. Maybe your life feels too messy, too broken, too far gone. Let me gently speak this truth: Jesus gave Himself for you. And His arms are still open. He's waiting for you.