Revisiting the 2017 Christmas story of a single mom trying to rebuild her life after divorce. Another story from Christmas past, one I hope you enjoy, friends. Stay tuned for more…and this year’s story! A Gingerbread House: Under Renovation The last thing I wanted to do after work was stand in a long line at the …
Tag: Jesus
When Christmas Hurts
If you're struggling with tragedy or loss during this time of year when most seem joyful, I pray this older post brings you comfort and reminds you of the hope that is yours. https://joeyrudder.com/2021/12/23/when-christmas-hurts/?page_id=757
“The Thanksgiving Table” – a fictional story
The Thanksgiving Table As I started the coffee early Thanksgiving morning, I remembered this day last year when Mom had relinquished the meal to me. It had been a morning much like this one – the house quiet, the view from the window dark with only a sliver of light emerging on the horizon. I’d …
Continue reading “The Thanksgiving Table” – a fictional story
Discouragement is a Prison
Discouragement is a powerful tool the enemy uses to keep you down. It becomes a prison filled with lies: You're never going to make it. You're not good enough. You're not smart enough. You can't do this. Why don't you give up already? You're going to make a fool out of yourself. You're a fraud. …
Calming the Waves of Grief
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Battling Anxiety
Jesus warned us that we're going to have trouble in this world, but He also explained that He's overcome the world. (See John 16:33.) So, we know we should cling to our Savior and keep our eyes fixed on Him, especially when trouble shows up. Yet, our minds latch on to things that, in turn, …
Joey Rudder 