RachelCraddock
About the Author

I'm an unlikely pastor's wife, mom to three boys, pregnant with my first daughter, teacher in my former life and a sharer of stories. Thanks be to God for using unlikely stories for His glory!

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Thank you for your encouraging words Rachel, and for being my light of perseverance this morning. You have a gift and I have always been/am so grateful for our friendship!

  2. This – so needed. Thank you, Rachel! Having someone who’s been there before to shine a light in the darker times has been a huge blessing for me, too. The snow is a beautiful image for God’s mercy.

    • Thank you Missy. As believers, we are so blessed to have the body of Christ to help us see His mercy in dark seasons. Thank you for taking the time to read a small part of the story God is writing in my little life.

  3. Thank you. “The goal is godliness” These encouraging words apply to raising teenagers too!

  4. Your best one yet Rachel! Really well written and I know someone was touched by it! 🙂

  5. An encouragement for this weary heart in a far away land. Waiting expecantly with you in the darkness… thankful for gospel friends who sing Truth along the journey.

    • Sharon, thinking of you and hoping your son is on the mend. You are a light for me in the darkness as well. From Matthew, Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. He will lighten your load.

  6. Thank you so much for these words! I love the image of snow and God’s mercies, most importantly for me, “the goal is godliness” is spot on!! Too often, I feel like I get caught up in the appearances and the behaviors ( yes, the behaviors need to be addressed) and lose the bigger picture..the heart that is being cultivated. Thanks again (as with all of your posts) for your words of inspiration.

  7. I feel the same way about snow. It makes the dark and gray season bearable with His beauty. I love the implied reminder her to look for the snow in our every day lives. Just lovely…

  8. Thank you so much for these words! I love the “the goal is godliness”! Too often, I feel like I get caught up in the appearances and the behaviors ( yes, the behaviors need to be addressed) and lose the bigger picture..the heart that is being cultivated. Thanks again (as with all of your posts) for your words of inspiration.

  9. In a dark dark place just now with teenage hatred abounding.. but as I trudged out in the pure snow this morning, turning to the Lord as I went in the dark of a Scottish Highland morning, I too was struck by how the white purity covered the mud and the grime and the grit of the day before… and made all beauty for a season. I was reminded of Eucharisteo (Ann Voskamp) and of giving thanks for the ugly beautiful and how HIS GRACE ALWAYS brings beauty. His Spirit working in two mamas in two far parts of the world with the same blessing. A wonderful encouragement to read tonight.

    • As someone who loves working specifically with teens and was once a teenager with hatred abounding, hang in there. He is faithful and will show you His tender mercies. They are new every monring. Great is his faithfulness.

  10. I could have never guessed that the woman I married, the one who only applied to colleges that didn’t require a written essay, would turn into the gifted writer that God has so unexpectedly used. Great work. Very proud and thankful to be married to this beautiful author.

  11. Rachel,

    I’m saving your blog post and words of encouragement for everytime one of my fellow mama friends has one of those challenging mama days–thank you so much! And ironically, I can’t help but think and wonder if we are somehow distantly related…(besides being in the same family of God!) as my maiden name was Craddock! Have a wonderful day!

    • The season is tough. My blog has been a great place of encouragement for a lot of the young mamas I know. I write about real challenges accompanied with lots of grace. onewiththepastor.blogspot.com.
      We might be related:)

  12. I am so thankful our son is married to this gifted writer and mother. Rachel, thank you!

  13. Beautiful analogy Rachel. I know you are an inspiration to many young families as you

    share your light.

    Sing your song, Rachel. Your children are growing in godliness and love.

    • Thank you so much, Grandma Trudy. I am crying because I am thankful for your inspiring words for me for the past 29 years. I did not become who I am alone 🙂

  14. Love this! I saw your post on the EKU Alumni Facebook group – love that you’re a fellow Colonel =)

  15. What a blessing this post was to me! I live in Wisconsin and happen to adore the snow, ever since as a child we spent winters sledding, ice skating, skiing and anything with snow. Now I love snow even more after reading this post. The prayer prompts are wonderful. I was part of a bible study years ago where we used the ASK sequence, but never had I thought of introducing it to my son! Thank you!!

    • thanks Tracey! I am so grateful for your response to this post. We love praying ACTS with our three sons. I also pray with the girls in my youth group this way. it is a great discipline for all seasons. Stay warm this winter! you can find more at onewiththepastor.blogspot.com

  16. Loved the idea that “snow covers the dirty, gloomy, dark of winter”, I see that as a metaphor for God covering us and our sins.

    Love that you pray with your kids–not many parents do that. You are a good writer and I enjoy reading your posts!

    • Thank you so much, Beth! I have only been blogging for 4 months now and have been wondering if this is something I should continue to pursue. Thank you for your encouragement. You can find more at onewiththepastor.blogspot.com