• Devotionals,  Faith

    God Likes You! (+Giveaway!)

    [Guest post by Sandi Krakowski: This is an excerpt from Sandi’s book #BEMORE. I picked out this section to share with you because I think it’s important to remember that truly, God likes you!] Your thought for today: God not only loves you, He likes you. He doesn’t look at us as sinful, disgusting people, but as tender children He loves and adores. After all, He sent Jesus to give us all we need and to fix our mess. He’s not mad at us! He is for us, not against us. He delights to give good gifts. Yes, He has feelings and is hurt very deeply when we ignore Him.…

  • Devotionals

    Fighting for Bud: An Update

    [Guest post by Jenee Day: About a month ago, Jenee shared with us why she was writing to distract herself. Here is an update on her son Bud’s health and how she is fighting for him.] Some of the most difficult times in my life as a mother are when my children are sick.  The emotions that come along with nurturing our little ones are various and deep.  Helplessness, sadness, confusion, hope and determination are just a few of the feelings my husband and I have experienced recently. As Bud was admitted to the hospital again last week, we held on to each other and to our faith. I have…

  • Devotionals,  Faith

    Writing to Distract

    [Guest post by Jenee Day: Previously, Jenee wrote for Devotional Diva on the topic of gossip. Today, she shares why she’s writing to distract herself. We’re praying for your family, Jenee!]   I am writing this to distract myself. Waiting is not something I have ever been good at, and today I wait for a phone call that may literally change my families’ lives forever. Bud is just 5 years old now, and he is the light of our lives.  Handsome and silly, sometimes quiet and others completely rambunctious, he is generous with his kisses and with his desserts.  Bud is everything I ever hoped my child would be. And now……

  • Devotionals

    Called out of mourning to fall at His feet

    [Guest post by Sarah Coleman: I’m so glad Sarah is back to share another story on Devotional Diva! I was so moved by her piece on mourning, and hope that it can encourage you, too.]       Women aren’t bullet-proof. We like to think we are. That nothing gets under our skin. But it does. There can be days, weeks, months, years when things hurt. Bad. We live in a broken world. And broken things, break things. Hurting people, hurt people. Precious ones die. Love is lost. Sometimes babies slip away before ever being able to say, “Hello.” Shattered. Completely shattered. It can cut so deep you think you will never be…

  • Health & Body

    I Must Be Perfect

    [Guest post by Rachel Madden: I think Rachel’s story on perfectionism will really encourage some of you, especially those who struggle with being a “perfect mom.” Remember “I must be perfect” is just a lie!]   Psychology Today quotes, “For perfectionists, life is an endless report card on accomplishments or looks. A one-way ticket to unhappiness, perfectionism is typically accompanied by depression and eating disorders. What makes perfectionism so toxic is that while those in its grip desire success, they are most focused on avoiding failure, so theirs is a negative orientation. And love isn’t a refuge; in fact, it feels way too conditional on performance.” Please tell me this…

  • Faith

    A Story of Rediscovery

    [Guest post by Erin Marie Shell: This is a story of God’s love, a story of heartbreak and a story of rediscovery. Thanks for sharing, Erin!] Exhausted after a full day of work, I arrived home late one night, opened the front door, and entered the darkness.  As I walked into the house, my heels clicked on the floor, greeting me with a very loud, unfamiliar echo. Without turning on the lights, I began to realize what had happened.  After 11 years of marriage, he had moved out. The shock of an empty house left me reeling in confusion.  I was exhausted with life, exhausted with familiar feeling of not being…

  • Faith

    You've Got a Plan

    [Guest post by Karsyn Robb: Karsyn contacted me to share her beautiful song “You’ve Got a Plan,” and I was so excited to have a musical submission! Below is the story behind the song, followed by the video. Enjoy!]   At the end of my freshman year of college, two fellow students attempted to sexually assault me on my university’s campus. I was fortunate enough to be able to get away, but the trauma from that night nearly destroyed me. For five months I kept what had happened a secret because I was terrified of how people would react once they found out. It didn’t take long before the stress…

  • Devotionals

    Alive Remains the Manger Scene

    [Guest post by Rebecca Lamarche: Rebecca also blogged recently, but when I received this beautiful poem from her, I knew it had to be the final post in this Christmas guest post series! Merry Christmas, everyone!]           ALIVE REMAINS THE MANGER SCENE Sweet Baby Jesus asleep on the hay With reverence I kneel down before You today In worship and prayer, tears fall from my eyes; For You’re God – yet and infant – with soft gentle cries. I wonder – were Your infant tears shed for me? Because of my sin, and the great penalty That I could not, on my own ever pay? Were…

  • Devotionals

    Extending God's Gift of Grace

    [Guest post by Carla Gasser: Carla submitted this piece when I was scheduling for this series, and although she didn’t intend to be a part of it, I thought her story of God’s grace was perfect for the series. As God gives grace to us, we should extend it to others!] I had an interesting conversation with one of my sons (whose name I will graciously withhold) at breakfast this morning. I was asking why he was wearing the same khaki shorts for the third day in a row.  He started complaining that he had no clean shorts because “someone” had not washed them.  Excuse me?   I held my breath…

  • Devotionals,  Health & Body

    Mental Illness is My Gift from God

    [Guest post by Linda Svoboda: Thank you, Linda, for bravely sharing your story on mental illness! It’s challenging to accept mental illness in your life at all, let alone call it a gift from God!] I am so thankful for all the gifts that God has given me, but I am especially grateful for one that He has blessed me with. Many people would not see it as a gift, but rather a difficult challenge.  Most people have a hard time talking about my gift and don’t understand what it truly is.  However, a few really get it.  They understand that my gift is indeed a truly unique treasure and…