When is the last time you really stepped out of your comfort zone? Have you felt prompted to do something but you talked yourself out of it? What’s holding you back? I believe more than anything else, fear holds us back. Fear of rejection. Fear of judgment. Fear of failure. Fear of embarrassment. Fear of… Continue reading Just take the step.
Tag: stress
When things go back to normal.
I keep hearing it - “I can’t wait for things to go back to normal.” “When things are normal again...” What “normal” is everyone is longing for? Seeing family and celebrating holidays together. Having birthday parties and baby showers and weddings. Worshipping in packed sanctuaries together. Having the freedom to take the kids to the… Continue reading When things go back to normal.
Choose hope.
On this day last year, I got a phone call at work. It was a nurse from my doctor’s office, telling me that my baby girl’s genetic screening came back with a positive marker for Down syndrome. She wanted me to come in for more tests and follow up with the “high risk” doctor. I… Continue reading Choose hope.
We are not immune.
When we pray for peace, what does that mean? When we pray for protection, for healing, for God to bless us... what are we really praying for? When we say “Lord, thy will be done,” how often do we try to define what that should look like? I think sometimes “answered prayers” can be equated… Continue reading We are not immune.
Three-nager.
I often heard the phrase "terrible twos." When my son turned two, I heard over and over again how interesting and frustrating my life was about to be. To be honest, I thought age 2 was a breeze. I wondered if I might be some lucky parent whose child would skip the terrible two phase,… Continue reading Three-nager.
Trading worry for worship.
Right around this time 3 years ago, I took a pregnancy test in our downstairs bathroom. I was home alone when I saw the two lines on the stick. Immediately, I felt this overwhelming sense of unconditional love and intense pressure to protect. I knew my baby was just a speck at that point, but… Continue reading Trading worry for worship.
Back to the real world.
Well, the first week of full-time work and full-time daycare are over. And... I kind of loved it way more than I expected. Some observations and things I didn't expect: 1) Spencer took to daycare like he's been going his whole life. Seriously, I expected major meltdowns, clinging to my legs, refusing to nap, and… Continue reading Back to the real world.
For better or worse.
I, Kristen, take you, Jordan, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part. A little over four years ago, I stood on a stage in a white lace dress, holding… Continue reading For better or worse.
Fearfully and wonderfully made.
When I was pregnant, I had an app on my phone that tracked my baby's development each week and had a little handprint to show how big the baby's hand was that week. I kept all my ultrasounds in my purse and stared at them, wishing I could just see him already. I remember reading… Continue reading Fearfully and wonderfully made.
I’m inadequate, and that’s completely ok.
Ever since I can remember, I've felt immense pressure to seem like I have it all together. Negative emotions were not well-received in my home growing up... we didn't have "pity parties" or show our weaknesses. I wasn't allowed to fail and when I did inevitably fail, I felt that I needed to hide it… Continue reading I’m inadequate, and that’s completely ok.
Kristen Stewart, Writer 