"His glory is on display in each and every season -- if we just remember to look for it. In all seasons of the year and of our lives, Jesus comes for us. He welcomes us wholly at any time, in any space, in all of our seasons." Leave a comment and see pics of our new planner: https://incourage.me/?p=239047 -- Encourage all the moms in your life with heartfelt messages of God’s love! DaySpring can help you celebrate every kind of mom, including your own mother, a mother-figure that means a lot...

"As we step into a month full of festive awards nights, senior celebrations, and graduation for our daughter, the grief gathers quietly at the base of my throat. I anticipate the loss, but I also celebrate my girl spreading her wings and soaring into her next chapter of life.    Friend, what milestones or memorials will you mark this month? Are you experiencing anticipatory grief in any areas? Share in the comments.    Let’s treasure and ponder together what God might be doing in our...

"We are the moms who live in the push-pull of exhaustion and joy. We love this life even when we don’t like it. We love these kids with all of our beings — even when we may not like them very much. We thank God for the gift of love He gives in the form of sticky hands, flown coops, late nights, early mornings, birthday celebrations, cards in the mail, trips to see each other, texts sent, calls placed, and prayers whispered.    We are these moms, and God is for us all." Leave a comment for...

"Joy and goodness are abundant in the timely Word of the Lord. When we weigh our words and release them in His timing, Jesus breathes Proverbs 15:23 into action. Joy and goodness are abundant in the timely Word of the Lord. His Word is guaranteed not to return void. It ALWAYS accomplishes the work it was set forth to accomplish." Leave a comment for Karina: https://incourage.me/?p=238803 -- Stay organized and inspired every day of the year with an (in)courage Agenda Planner! Full of...

"I discovered something that helps in my moments of anxiety: I just let it happen. As I have started to allow my helplessness to stay, it reminds me of my hopefulness that Jesus also stays. In the Bible, He is given the nickname Emmanuel, which means God with us. He very easily could have seen us in our mess and decided to snap His fingers and resolve all of our problems, but our God is relational, so He decided to roll up His sleeves and come to us. And because His character never changes,...

"The word "helper" in Hebrew (ezer) does not imply subordination but rather a partnership. I had been taught that God created Eve as a "helper" for Adam (Genesis 2:18). But what I had not been taught was that the word "helper" in Hebrew (ezer) does not imply subordination but rather a partnership. In fact, ezer is the same noun used in Psalm 33:20 to describe God as “our help and our shield.” When you start to see yourself as not just someone who makes life work for others, but as a...

"There is no one among us who hasn’t tasted loneliness, who hasn’t held sadness in their hands like wadded-up tissue.    It’s easy for us to imagine that no one else has or will hold the burdens that we do. It’s so natural that I’m not even sure we realize we’re doing it.    We must stay tender to the humanity of others – this is the pathway to empathy, the road to compassion that we’re called to as people of faith." Leave a comment for Kayla: https://incourage.me/?p=238767 -- Stay...

"Disappointing people is not only unavoidable, it's often the right yes. In the words of my friend, Kim, a no hurts a little when it's given, but the wrong yes hurts a lot more later. So, we say no to good things in one season to say yes to best things.   Whether a yes or a no, I'm learning there is strength and peace in letting my heart and mouth say the same thing for the benefit of following God's will...   ...and not disappointing myself." Leave a comment for...

"Sister, the way God made you is wondrous! You are distinct. Set apart. A one-of-a-kind masterpiece!  If you’re a dreamer, don’t cram yourself into the box of an analytical thinker. If you’re loud, don’t let the world stifle your voice. If you’re vibrant, don’t dull your edges. If you’re intellectual or artsy or stoic or outdoorsy, don’t let an outside voice tell you that another personality or strength is more valuable and attractive.   The amazing thing about God is that He doesn’t...

"There's a vast difference between being tethered to the Body of Christ vs. being someone who periodically visits a church building. Throughout Scripture, we witness the non-negotiable command to hold fast to the Bride of Christ and gather together for corporate worship. It doesn't specify a building, but affirms the necessity of consistent gatherings where we're nourished spiritually and offered shepherding care alongside accountability. I've lived through lonely seasons when that didn’t...

As certain as the sun rises, God will come to the rescue. Keep your eyes focused on Him! In the waiting, our faith grows stronger as we discover that God is present with us. His presence not only forges His patience in us, but we also learn to live at peace with Him in the process of faith’s refining fires. Leave a comment and be entered to WIN a copy of this brand-new book, What to Say When You Don't Know What to Say: https://incourage.me/?p=238594 -- Graduation season is here! Are you...

"There’s no such thing as "too much" for God. God knows the end from the beginning, and no matter what or how much our days hold, He will hold us. Nothing — no thing — will take Him by surprise. There’s no such thing as “too much” for God, and He will be faithful to meet us in the muchness of our days." Leave a comment for Kaitlyn: https://incourage.me/?p=238727 — Graduation season is here! Are you Ready to Bless the Grads in Your Life? Pick up a faith-filled card and gift from DaySpring...

Summary In this episode, Becky Keife interviews Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, author of the children's book 'Kailani's Gift.' The book explores themes of perseverance, developing gifts, and the importance of community support. Dorina shares the story of Kailani, a young girl who wants to learn a traditional Filipino dance called the Tininkling. Despite facing challenges and setbacks, Kailani perseveres with the help of her family and eventually performs the dance at her grandparents'...

"How often do we choose today's comfort at the cost of tomorrow's growth? Comfort isn't always the haven we think it is. Sometimes it is a tomb.    A bulb that stays entombed too long in the ground eventually withers. So do we. When we start avoiding difficult circumstances, new adventures, challenging circumstances, and difficult people and conversations, we end up stunting the growth God desires for us. As a result, we miss out on our spring." Leave a comment for...

"We serve a God who cares more about the quality of our faithfulness with what He’s given us than the quantity of our accomplishments. He isn’t asking us to do as much as we possibly can; He is asking us to say “yes” to what He asks us to do with what He’s entrusted to us. He isn’t looking for more people to have big platforms; He is searching for humble hearts willing to do little things with great love. God is not comparing us to anyone else, He is always and only inviting us to become more...

"We are worn out. We are tapped. We are tired of and from watching the news and waiting for God to usher in salvation and solutions. We are holding our collective breath, barely awake and hardly aware of our need for rest — true rest.    In the quiet moments, when I sit in silence long enough to let the truth be loud, I can hear the holy whisper. And maybe you do, too?    I need Christ more than I need coffee." Leave a comment for Rachel: https://incourage.me/?p=238494 -- Encourage all the...

"God grants us gifts and talents that need to be tended over time. Gifts and talents take time to bloom."    Dorina's new kid's book, Kailani's Gift, echoes this same message. Kailani needs to have the courage to try something new. Even though she doesn't master it right away, Kailani perseveres. The tinikling dance is challenging, but it is also rewarding when she can offer it as a gift to her grandparents.    We all might be clumsy with new things at first, but if we push through the...

"Time is a gift I shouldn't squander. The Lord wants us to learn from our experiences so we can teach and comfort others the way He has taught and consoled us over the years.    The next time you’re overwhelmed by your current circumstances, spend time with a woman who’s been there and can give you her long-range perspective.    And the next time you worry you’re getting older and are no longer able (or no longer have) to do the things you used to, appreciate the depth of your knowledge and...

Summary In this episode, Becky Keife, Kayla Craig, and Tasha Jun discuss the theme of honest prayer from the (in)courage book '100 Days of Strength in Any Struggle.' They share their personal experiences of struggling and being desperate for God's strength, and how honest prayer has helped them in those moments. They also discuss barriers to honest prayer, such as doubt and feeling like prayers are too small or selfish. They highlight the importance of journaling and the power of short,...

Summary In this bonus episode, Becky Keife interviews Melissa Horvath about her new devotional, 'You Are Made For This: Devotions to Uplift and Encourage Busy Moms.' They discuss the challenges and joys of motherhood, the importance of relying on God's strength and grace, and the need for constant encouragement. Melissa emphasizes that every mother is uniquely equipped by God for the journey of motherhood and encourages moms to trust in God's plan for their children. She also highlights the...

"If we can trust God with open doors, we can trust the ones that close." If at First You Don't Succeed, When Should You Try, Try Again? That's the question Robin Dance is answering today. Her God-story is a must-listen! Leave a comment for Robin: https://incourage.me/?p=238410 -- The spring issue of DaySpring’s Everyday Faith magazine is now available! Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or at your local Sam’s Club, Costco, CVS, Walmart, or wherever you buy magazines. We hope this issue...

"God’s purpose for your children – and for you – is so much bigger than any momentary struggle." You Are Made for This, by Melissa Horvath, is a heartfelt companion for every mother, a source of inspiration and encouragement on the busiest of days and the most challenging of nights. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s purpose for your children – and for you – is so much bigger than any momentary struggle. And it’s an assurance that perfection is never the expectation, that there’s no room...

"Jesus's invitation to come and see is alive and well for you today. “Come and see” is for the hurting, reluctant, exhausted (and even the religiously exhausted). If you're tired of empty religion or fake Christians, Jesus wants you to experience what the pastor Eugene Peterson calls Jesus's "unforced rhythms of grace."   In the presence of Jesus, we stop striving for spiritual perfectionism and we savor His way of grace." Leave a comment for Barb: https://incourage.me/?p=238385 -- The...

"It hurts the heart of God when His daughters don’t see their worth. Friend, it is time to stop settling for gentle punches and stop striving for the approval of people.    I pray that you sense God leaning in close to remind you today that you are worth so much. It is time to use your God-given voice, to rise up in the authority and position you have been given as the daughter of the King of Kings.    You are worth protecting and celebrating.    You are delighted in because you are...