Edie Emory
About the Author

Edie is a wife, mom, and daughter of the King from South Carolina. After years in a traditional work environment, she has come home to be with her young son and pursue her passion for ministry through writing. Please visit her blog and connect with her below!

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things we love
& you will too!
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  1. Edie,
    Praying for God’s provision for you and your family as you step out in faith. I think you nailed it when you said that when things are predictable and controlled, we don’t grow. So true. When things go along on the sure and steady, we have no reason to dive deeper. Sometimes I call these seasons of lazy faith. When things are going well….I do….I get lazy. I do believe God wants us to enjoy the abundant life he provides, but I admit, it’s not until I’m called to step out of the boat, in faith, and begin walking on the water toward Jesus that my faith really grows. It’s because I’m out there – with no safety net – having to depend and rely on the unseen to enable me to walk on stormy seas. Nothing grows faith and trust in God’s goodness and faithfulness than having to depend utterly upon Him. Only then do we experience that righteous right hand that never lets go. Thank you for reminding us that we can step out and trust Him. Good stuff for my weekend!!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    • Thank you so much, Bev! Lazy faith…I like that term! And yes, my faith gets so lazy when everything is going the way I think it should. God is providing for us in amazing ways, even since I wrote this post.

    • This is so true and describes my situation exactly. My marriage is ending … my husband literally became someone else overnight and I have spent the last 8 months trying to convince him our family is worth saving but he has filed for a divorce. Throughout this storm the Lord has used this to grow my faith in him and though it’s been painful, scary, and very lonely at times He has spoken to me and put people in my life to encourage me and strengthen me. I know no matter what HE has a great plan for my life because I’m HIS daughter!

      • Cheryl,
        My heart really goes out to you….truly. I have walked your path. My husband left once (affair) and we then reconciled. He did it again and I tried everything within my power to save my marriage, but there is only so much you can do if the other party isn’t willing to work on it. I’ve been through many trials, but divorce was a real storm. I remember my divorce dragging on, my dad died, the dog died, I lost my job, my son almost didn’t graduate and I really felt like I wanted to go crawl under a rock and never come out. I know how draining and damaging the whole process is. I want to welcome you to contact me over at my blog http://walkingwellwithgod.blogspot.com/. I would be glad to encourage you that you WILL come through this. God IS faithful and He can and will bring beauty from the ashes. I can honestly say i would not have the depth of relationship with the Lord had I not gone through this traumatic experience. God has this….He has you and your family. Remember your worth is not based on what one man says….it’s based on what God says about who you are. You are His beloved daughter….cling to His vision of you. You are dearly loved!!
        Prayers and ((hugs)),
        Bev

      • Dawn, my thoughts go out to you. Five years ago I went through an unwanted divorce but God had other plans for me. As much as I wanted my marriage to be saved, I believe God ended it due to the hardness of my ex-husband’s heart. We have two girls and I had to get them through the mess that he created. One thing I know – God is faithful and He is good. He put the right people in my path, he led me to an incredible church and the work He has done in our lives was well worth the fire went through. As hard as it is, God will see you through every step of the way. It wasn’t easy but slowly by slowly I learned to let go and let God. So sorry for what you’re going through because divorce is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone. But let God walk you through the journey and be amazed at His goodness!

      • Dawn, I’m so sorry for what you are going through! You are so right that God has a plan for your life even though I know the path looks dark right now. I’ll be praying for you during this difficult, uncertain journey. Thank you for sharing your story.

      • Dawn,

        Praying for you sweet sister. Divorce is never easy. I pray God’s peace & comfort encompass you mind, body & soul. My life verse: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. To give you a hope and a future”. God can & does bring beauty out of ashes. His plans & ways are higher than ours. We just have to have faith & trust Him.

        (((((Hugs)))))

  2. I could have written this post. I was always the primary breadwinner for my family, due to my higher income potential. But I missed my son so much that I quit my fulltime job when he was 18 months old and my husband became the primary breadwinner. God has provided for us financially through career opportunities for my husband and part-time jobs for me, although our income will never be what it would have been if I had been the one working fulltime. However, there are other aspects of our lives that are uncertain, and I too am a control freak, so the uncertainty is a challenge. Thankful for challenging me to trust God in the midst of uncertainty. I pray that things fall into place for you financially.

    • It’s so scary when God calls us out of our comfort zone, right?? But He is so good and faithful to provide. Thank you so much, Claire, for sharing your story with me!

    • Claire,

      Praying for you sweet sister. It is hard to balance work & family. Praying for a sweet peace to enter you mind, body & soul. God will see you through this trial plus you and your family will be blessed to have this time together. He can & will bring beauty out of ashes. Praying for you & your family. Watch & see how God works!

      (((((Hugs)))))

    • I’m so glad it was helpful, Donna! God gives us what we need when we need it, doesn’t He? Thank you for reading and responding!

  3. God will take care of you and your commitment to raise your child. He will provide one day at a time. He did and does for us. I was a stay at home mom with my kids. The best thing I ever did. Each month I wondered how God would provide. The kids went to a Christian school. We didn’t have extra but we had enough. Vacations were few but what we needed was always there. It seemed to me He made our cars and appliances last longer than normal. We tried to honor God in what we did. We weren’t perfect but we did okay with lots of Grace.

    • You are so right, Jennie! I’m already seeing how He is providing in His own way and His own timing. And I’m seeing the benefits for my son and our family as well. God knows what He is doing for sure! Thank you for your encouragement!

  4. It is a journey of faith, and God always supplied all of our needs. The blessing of staying home during several seasons with my children & being there as they grew & matured was well worth it. Since my youngest died in a car accident just before graduating from college, I now cherish those days home with her more than ever.

    • Oh, Jill, I am so sorry for your loss! God knew even back then how precious that time with your daughter would be. I pray that you are healing. Thank you for sharing your heart!

  5. This message was perfect this morning! I’m experiencing so much stress returning to work full time in a week after working part time for the past 3 years. I’ve lost more than a few nights of sleep wondering if I’m prepared enough for the job, how I’ll manage my home responsibilities with work, etc. It’s so comforting to know that I don’t have to do it all in my own strength, but God’s power is at work within me. I’m giving my new job and schedule to God today. No more sleepless nights spent worrying. He can do more than we ask or imagine if we follow His leading. Thank you for this today!

    • Thank you for sharing your story with me, Andrea! And yes! He will equip us to do what He has called us to do. We just have to let Him have it! You’ve got this, sister! Praying for you on this new venture!

  6. The worry is there. I completely understand what you mean. Going from full time work to full time mom, wife, caregiver, cheerleader, kid runner arounder. It can be quite intimidating. As a mom, and kid runner arounder now of 10 years, WOW time flies! Big choices, little choices, bungled choices, His choices for me, I struggle with every day. But every day it is a reassurance (even when I doubt at times) that He is going to care. He is going to see me through that other side. And sometimes I give it to Him several times a day……week. Thank you for this.

    • You aren’t kidding, Andrea! I’m so much busier now than I was before. I didn’t even think that was possible! I know as he gets older it will be even more so. I’m so glad that God saw fit to put me in the middle of the busy-ness. And He will sustain us, right? Thank you so much!

  7. I am having a hard time understanding as I watch my son struggle to find a good job after college. Great opportunities seem to turn into dead ends and I can’t see what God is doing right now.

    • I know it’s much harder to see our children struggle than it is for us, isn’t it? I’ll be praying for your son to find the right opportunity. Closed doors are just God’s way of keeping us in His will. Thank you for sharing, Dee!

  8. Your message came at just the right time and has encouraged me. Blessings to you and your family!

  9. Edie this is wonderful, and I’m smiling, recalling all the times I followed God’s leading because I thought I could see how it was all going to happen — and then it was different. Thanks for not panicking but instead taking up the pen (or the keyboard) and writing your way into a place of trust in the messy middle when His footsteps are unclear but His direction is sure. Heading over now to visit your writing home!

    • Thank you so much, Michele! I’m still working on that trust thing – it’s a daily battle! But I’m seeing God provide in some amazing ways that only He can!

  10. Your post reminded me of how one event can change everything, and the reminder that the God who put the stars and planets in space is perfectly capable of taking care of me brings me peace and a joy that is not dependent on circumstances. A casual motorcycle ride with my husband to go out for lunch and go to the health food store ended up with a near collision with a semi that turned in front of us and a Life-Flight ride to a major medical center. A courageous decision by my husband to lay the bike down instead of sliding in to the path of the oncoming truck saved our lives. He is convinced that angels were there to keep the bike and us from being in the path of the semi. Our recovery has been slower than we would like, but we thank God many times each day that we are alive and getting better. He is not done with us yet, and has shown us in so many ways through so many people, His incredible love and provision!
    Ephesians 3:20-21 (LB) Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we could ever dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. May He be given glory forever and ever through endless ages because of His Master plan…
    Amen and Amen!

    • Wow, what a story of God’s protection and grace, Karen! Thank you for sharing your story. We definitely are not promised a life of leisure and anything can happen at any moment. I’ll be praying for your and your husband’s recovery in these days. So thankful that God brought you both through.

  11. WOW! Great post, Edie. Thank you so much for sharing. The Lord blessed me this morning through your words. <

    In Him,
    Lara

  12. Thank you so much for your post. I am especially touched by the part where God removed EVERYTHING that was predictable and controlled. My situation is quite different from the rest of you. I turned 80 yesterday! Quite an adjustment but my husband is in a very hard space mostly due to the blood strokes he has suffered along with his lack of ability to trust God which puts me in that everything I (did you get that I) thought would happen has not. It has caused my faith in God to grow into new levels I did not know existed. I no longer feel I have no choice, but God has now given me the grace of choice to accept His Word as truth in every situation. My relationship to the Lord came late in life but so very blessed and thankful that it did. God bless you abundantly as you continue to grow in faith in our amazing God and Father.

    • I love reading your story, Gail! Thank you so much for reading mine! I’ll be praying for you and your husband in this uncertain time in your lives.

  13. Oh my. Right there with you in so many areas of my life. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad I’m. It in this sometimes lonely boat alone.

    • That’s one reason why I love communities of women like this – it reminds us that there are others in similar situations. And, of course, with God on our side we are never alone anyway. Thank you for sharing!

  14. Edie, Thank-you so much for the reminder. I really enjoyed reading your post.

    Have a blessed day all,
    Penny

  15. I am single, unemployed for 8 months, unemployment benefits ran out on Monday, $700 car bill on Tuesday, $910 rent due on Wednesday, turned down for over 15 jobs. God is good and faithful and He is at work.

    • Honestly, I have been there, too, Lisa! Several years ago when I was single I lost my job and it took months to find another one. There was a point in time where I had car trouble, computer problems and a refrigerator that conked out all at the same time when I was unemployed. God saw me through and He will do the same for you! I will be praying for Him to meet your needs in an amazing way! Thank you for sharing your story!

    • Praying as well for our Father to provide for all your needs in an amazing way and that He will continue to encourage your spirit and draw you closer to Him.

  16. After 30 years of climbing that corporate ladder and 8 years with my successful startup company, Father called me to do the same! Now my 3 kids get to enjoy my OCD, high-energy drill-sargeant scheduling and daily rants. Our Lord is definitely working on something with both of us. We can’t fire our kids so we have to learn how to work with these little crazy people. SUCH a surprisingly exhausting and challenging job … yet hard to complain when I’m given this blessing of time to shepherd and care for the most important folks in my life. I just pray that I don’t ruin these amazing kiddos and that everyone survives Mom!

    • And sometimes it feels like survival for me, Jessica! Seriously, some days are just that. Getting through. But I know that God is redeeming those years for us of being moms who work outside the home by allowing us to pour into our kids now. It is the hardest job EVER, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Thank you for sharing your story!

    • You are so right! Ephesians 3:20 is my mantra now and I’m seeing him do just that. Thank you so much for reading and responding, Rebecca!

  17. Thanks for the framing for my thoughts. Uncertainty is unsettling, but growth usually comes at these times, doesn’t it? God will provide in his own time and way. I like the way you have gently expressed this today.

    • Thank you, Jayne! I don’t deal with uncertainty well, but I think it’s why He called me to it. And I’m definitely seeing the growth you are talking about.

  18. What a gift you have – beautiful and touching piece. I’m sure many others besides me felt like this particular sentiment was much needed at this very moment. Thank you!

  19. Edie, your words touched me so deeply. I am at the far end of the age spectrum, a grandmother to three lovely teen step-granddaughters. When my daughter was little, it never even entered my mind to leave her with a sitter and go to work. Those were different times. Many or most of my friends did the same and, looking back, I know how we did it. We didn’t buy “the” home of our dreams, “the” car of our dreams, and we didn’t have a home filled with high tech, awesome “things”. Most of us had furniture a relative was getting rid of and we made do with what we had. We ate homemade meals that were nourishing and simple. And we spent time with our children and gave them the gift of home, family, community, imagination, and love. And when they started school, we went to work part-time to begin saving for their education. Today is so different, but your step in faith is the greatest gift you could ever give your son. You are giving him and your husband a warm, loving place to truly live life to the fullest. You may not have all the worldly things, fantastic vacations, the newest gadgets, but your leap of faith is giving your family roots, stability, and a true home. God bless you in your new role as a stay-at-home mom. Please keep on using your beautiful gift of writing! Who knows, perhaps your new role will produce fruits which will inspire other moms to look at making a similar choice. Someone has to start trends!

    • Thank you for your thoughtful reply! My mom stayed home with us, too. It was much different then. I’ve been at both ends of the spectrum myself so I understand that everyone makes different choices. It was a real encouragement to me when I worked outside the home to know that there were others in my shoes, just as it does now that things are much different. I’m just thankful God has led me to take this step at this point in my life and enjoying every minute of it…well most minutes anyway! 🙂

  20. Thank you Edie for your honesty & timely writing. We have been praying for a long time for an open door to a job change for my husband. It looks like God may be doing this soon. But it is scary as my husband is the provider for us and its all the unknown that is challenging. God is also asking me to step into something that cause me a lot of fear & trepidation. But if He is in it than He will provide what I need and see me through it. With courage I need to step into the fear.
    I love hearing how God provides for His obedient followers in all kinds of ways. It is encouraging & inspiring!
    Blessings to you and your family.

    • Thank you so much! God grows our faith during these times, doesn’t He? And when it’s all over we will look back on His faithfulness and wonder why we ever doubted. I’ll be praying for you during this time of transition. Thank you for sharing your story!

  21. Edie, I know it’s late in the day as I read this late today.. we’re helping my daughter pack & move away.. once again. 3 babies later she homeschooled and her husband works hard but nothing seems to be “right” in the employment department for him. I’m sad our lives are not going to be lived together in the same state.. again:(
    I too know Gods plans & ways are higher than mine and ours.. accepting this is my only peace and as He gives me the measure of faith I need daily… He will do it for you too. I pray hourly for all my children as they are also estranged from each other by their own choice and prideful selves.. keep the faith and blessings to each and everyone of you who posted comments.. I read everything from everyone and I feel better now and thank you sisters of the Lord Jesus! To God be the glory

    • Sharon, thank you for sharing! It sounds like you have so much on your plate right now and I’ll be praying for you and your children.

  22. You are so right — He has an answer for every question, every fear. As you shared His Word from Ephesians:

    Ephesians 3:20-21New International Version (NIV)
    20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

    And He promises us in Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
    11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

    <3

  23. Hi Edie,

    A friend and a prayer partner and mother sent me this post, as she thought it reminded her so much of me. I breathed hard as I read it through with the greatest feeling of thankfulness to you and to God for the reminder that I have to only but trust him. I am a teacher and would by now be thinking about what I’m going to do differently this new school year with my students, but I too left my job of 15 years this summer, not knowing, what next. To make it worst we have moved our entire family of five to a new country with only one person working a minimum income. Sigh. Is my faith being tested? Oh yes!!! He has come through for me so many times and yet when new struggles come it’s as if I completed forget where He has brought me from:-(. Thank you so much for the encouragement I needed that. I’m glad things are working out for your family. Thanks to everyone else for their stories. They are encouraging too.

    • Nesie, I’m so glad your friend shared my story with you! And thank you for sharing yours. What a huge step of faith you and your family have taken! God is such a marvelous sustainer, isn’t He? And I’m like you – I forget His past faithfulness sometimes. But, thankfully, that doesn’t mean He stops being faithful. I’ll be praying for you and your family!

  24. Edie,

    Praying for God’s provision for you family. Thank you for heeding God’s leading. It is scary at times, but He is always faithful. I second everyone here that we, to often, forget God’s faithfulness in the past. Kind of like the Israelites. I, too, left a good paying job back in June 2015. My aging dad was having multiple medial issues & work was becoming hard. I thought I would immediately get a part-time job. It didn’t work out. Within 2 weeks of leaving I put my dad on hospice. 1 year & 4 months later I was able to go back part-time. God provided a good, close job. I still could care for my dad. Five months later my dad passed. I don’t regret the time I had with him. God was kind to send little hints that I was right where He wanted me.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth, I wrote a blog post not too long ago that discussed the children of Israel and how much I am like them sometimes, lol. How precious God was to give you that time with your dad! And I love those little hints God gives of His closeness. He’s given so many of those to me, too. Thank you for reading and sharing your story!

  25. This was me seven years ago when God called me out of full time employment to be a stay-at-home mom. God does and will provide!

  26. Thank you for this timely post…although I realize that some time has passed. I am an ‘At home Mom’ though my children are all grown up and flown the nest…Father has provided enough (NOT more, just enough) for me to get down to what He wants to do through me. I am overawed and scared to take the plunge, but that is precisely why He chooses us to do the things He chooses to do through us…we are too timid to stray from His side and venture into the truly scary unknown without confirmation from Him…Hey! I guess that is why the apostle did not leave the boat until Jesus assured and called him…
    Blessings for this awesome post and the amazing woman who responded
    Fiona

    • I love reading testimonies from other stay-at-home moms of how the Lord has provided, and thank you so much for sharing yours! Such a great example from Scripture about Peter and Jesus…I actually blogged about that story and how it related to mine. Thank you so much for your encouragement, Fiona!

  27. Hi Edie
    Your post has brought much encouragement to my heart and my day. I am right there sister, that place where we have no choice but to trust God. That place where no matter where we look we are unable to come up with a solution. (I’m that kind of person, even though I give it to God, I like to search for solutions). No wonder He has me where I have no choice but to exercise faith and trust that His ways are better. Your encouragement has been gratefully received and I am blessed. May you be blessed also Edie.❤

  28. I am crying as I type this because your writing was used by God to boldly speak to me in this moment. I believe God is calling me to apply for a position that will transition me into a field where I can work even more effectively for Him. I prayed for guidance as I felt overwhelmed today about what direction to take; for like you my options don’t add up on paper…still what is required of me is crazy active faith; your beautiful testimony encouraged me obey God’s impression on my heart and step out in faith … even in the small act of applying. I’ve been hesistant to even apply but your thoughts were the confirmation I needed to apply. Thank you for being transparent, thank you for being honest and unafraid. Thank you for allowing God to use you. Keep sharing with us.

    • Denny, I am crying myself as I read your beautiful words. I am so thankful that God can use someone like me to encourage you. I will pray for you and would love to hear an update in the future. God bless you!