Carry your peace within you, not your ledgers or weighty burdens of the past.
Author: kristinabower
Kristina writes to give release to the words that burn in her heart. She has a deep desire to "grow through what you go through" and believes that lasting transformation occurs from lingering in the presence of Jesus. She loves her redhead husband, corgis, fireplaces, warm September days, and discussing controversial topics with friends.
Emotions are not your enemy
“Can you trust your emotions? What is the purpose of your emotions?” If someone asked you that, how would you reply? As someone who’s dealt with some heavy emotions like grief and fear, I of course have a different perspective that someone with a different life story that hasn’t dealt with loss. As my friend [...]
Jesus with me
Today I sit at my dining room table, watching snow fall and eating spicy Asian chicken and rice. Beside me is a tissue, elderberry syrup, and my faithful dog, watching me with her calm brown eyes. I am home, sick with everyone’s favorite little virus, contemplating, of all the things, the gentle workings of God. [...]
Forgiveness, the Humbling Trail: a parable
Photo by Blue Ox Studio on Pexels.com The backpack bit into my shoulders as I read the trailhead sign. "Freedom Point 3.6 miles. Beware of shifting trail." I glanced around anxiously. I had arrived at this sign after several hours of wandering through a wasteland, with briars catching my ankles and sandy paths that sucked [...]
The Beautiful Mystery, part II
Photo by Trung Nguyen on Pexels.com The glory of marriage is learning to unite weaknesses into strengths, till one is stronger and more whole than before. Luci Shaw compares marriage to a gothic stone arch, with Christ as the capstone, uniting individual leanings into unity. In her analogy, marriage becomes a entrance, rather than a [...]
The Beautiful Mystery, part one
Photo by Flora Westbrook on Pexels.com He entered my life at a time when I was disillusioned with single young men. I had just come back from Bible school out of state, and the young men that I liked didn't seem to notice me. The socially awkward loner, however, did notice me, and I ended [...]
Exposing the Emptiness // the Positives of this Year
Today’s post is simply a window in my end of year reflections. This year has been mentally difficult for me, as for many, but in the end, I’ve found it refreshing to have some of the façade stripped away. As we near the end of the year, retrospection over the year feels heavier for many [...]
Sunny Honey
For the love of a parakeet As a child raised on a farm, I was surrounded with animals, whether as pets or as a means of livelihood. For a long time, though, I didn’t consider myself an animal lover because I was deliberate as to which animals I allowed myself to love. I wasn’t obsessed [...]
Lessons from a Houseplant
Photo by Valeria Ushakova on Pexels.com As an avid houseplant nurturer, it didn't take me long to realize the similarities between a plant and the one who provided it with its sustenance. I began acquiring houseplants for their living aspect; I wanted more live presence on my shelf than a Willow Tree figurine could give. [...]
Spiritual Hypochondriacs
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com Denise wakes up to the sound of her alarm clock at six a.m. Even before she shuts it off, she begins her inventory. She stretches, noting that her shoulder isn't as sore as it was yesterday. She slides a foot out of bed. Yup, there's definately a sore spot [...]
Tapestry Tales 