I did it to myself, and I knew better. That last cup of late night coffee created my self-induced insomnia, and now I was dealing with its effects. Isn't it something how our bed becomes this magical place where we suddenly remember everything we were supposed to do — problems to solve, relationships to mend, closets to clean — as soon as our head ...
Everyday I look into a mirror. Once, twice, if not multiple times a day, but after last week, I will never look at my reflection the same way again. For five days I was part of a ministry team that deep cleaned apartments for struggling families in transition. Yolanda, a single mom of two boys, was one of the residents, and while we were there, ...
Come as You Are is an invitation I’ve extended on my blog for years. When you’re known for freely sharing your bedlam moments — those messy, less-than-perfect moments — you start a mini revolution of women who need a place for theirs. As a result, I get the most hilarious e-mails, texts, and pictures of crazy things other women know I’ll ...
Snuggled on the sofa with my 15-year-old daughter, we scrolled through her Instagram feed together. 100, 115, 125 “likes” became a theme on each photo and it became clear that she’d found some committed “followers.” “Wow, Abby, your last picture got 139 likes,” our 11-year-old daughter declared in amazement. A check in my spirit occurred and ...
Over the last year I’ve been working behind the scenes on a message that I hope will encourage many women. So here I sit -- typing away with my hands shaking and my heart beating a bit faster than normal. Why? Because I am beyond excited for you to read my upcoming book, Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation. Many of ...
We're celebrating long-time (in)courage contributor Jen Schmidt as she prepares to release her first book, the next to sit on the (in)courage bookshelf of publications! So today, we're giving you a glimpse inside Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation. Enjoy! *** As I think back on where my legacy of hospitality started, ...
I raced around my house like it was the final lap of the Indy 500. "Kids, I want the counters spotless. Grab that laundry from the sofa. Stuff all clothes in your closet." My outside voice bellowed up the stairs. "You better get off your phones right now. Seriously, I need your help this instant or..." Sweat dripped down my shirt and while ...
My new friend pulled me aside and with a smile errupting on her face declared, “I’ve always wondered if blondes really do have more fun. Well, today they sure did." I was shocked by her comment. She'd enjoyed herself? I never would have guessed. That afternoon, I'd opened our home for a small women's gathering. While most of the guests ranged ...
I approached my door and tried to focus. Brown paper bags littered my sidewalk. Bags stuffed with manna. Food, toiletries, diapers, gift cards, and unsigned notes overflowed from grocery bags left for my family. Approaching a year without a paycheck, trying to keep our business afloat, paying our employees first, and avoiding foreclosure on our ...
Ironically enough, I woke that morning with a spring in my step. The exhaustion of mothering our three stair-step babies had settled in, but amidst the chaotic, oatmeal in my hair and juice spilled on my pants, kind of day, a renewed passion stirred in my heart at the thought of taking my overwhelmed state and funneling it into a new ministry ...
