Over the past nine months, I've learned grief can come in gentle waves, lapping at my toes and tricking me into thinking, "I can do this. This isn't so bad." Other times, the waves hit me so hard that they knocked me down, threatening to drown me. Sometimes, I even wished they would. I carried …
Author: Joey
The Whole World
Sometimes, God moves quietly in your life as He works behind the scenes. Training you privately. Teaching you through His Word in the stillness of your home. He may ask you to keep those lessons to yourself as you treasure them in your heart while the mystery of His plan for your life unfolds like …
The Place of Heartbreak
No one understands your heartache, the worries that keep you up at night, or the physical pain you push past to keep going.And most people don't realize you're hiding behind a smile while slowly crumbling and falling apart on the inside.But God knows.Your heavenly Father knows what threatens to suffocate your spirit and what has …
When God Hits the Pause Button
Things are moving along just fine when suddenly God hits the pause button in the middle of your day, calling, journey, or task.Your plans freeze. Progress halts. You can't move forward, and the harder you try, the more you make a mess out of things. Soon, you're doubting that you're even on the right path.You're …
The Only One
What if you were the only one available to take an elderly neighbor to her doctor's appointment?What if you were the only one who noticed a child running in the parking lot, headed straight for a car backing out of a spot?What if you were the only one who knew how a single mom struggled …
A Dangerous Christian
What would you think if you were on an airplane, only to hear over the speaker that your pilot hopes you enjoyed the flight, BUT he just wanted you to know he’s not sure how to land? You see, he never learned how. Or what if you’re in a waiting room while your spouse or …
The Empty Table
When my mom passed away from cancer seven months ago, the pain was unbearable. I'd hold my breath as I listened to her voicemail messages just to hear her voice and scroll through my phone to see pictures I'd taken while visiting her last year. Anything I could do to hold on to her a …
When God Trains You in the Dark
When darkness closes in, will you still trust God? When Satan presses in so close that his lies become a constant torment, will you still believe God cares for you? When God trains you in the dark, He is teaching you to listen for His voice, to allow Him to guide your steps when you …
Overwhelmed with Busyness
Life has its busy seasons. Summer can be one of them. There are graduation parties to attend, gardens to plant, flowerbeds to weed, family reunions or vacations to plan, and the various projects you keep putting off until the weather cooperates. Now, the sun is shining, but instead of closing your eyes and thanking God …
God Knows Our Hearts
With dirt caked under my nails from working in the garden, I answered my sister-in-law's phone call and walked around our backyard while we talked. Suddenly, a butterfly floated in front of my face and around my head, its wings grazing my forehead. It landed on my right hand, the same hand I used to …
Joey Rudder 