New year. New beginnings. New resolutions. New word of the year. New you. New routines. New goals. New everything, am I right?! But what about that weird gap in the number on the calendar where last year's things are now this new year's things too? We can’t hide from them. We can’t pretend like they don’t exist. But, a new year means a fresh start, right? So, where do those messy, undone things belong? With Jesus. Jesus bridges that weird gap. There is no space He cannot fill. There is no brokenness He cannot mend. There is no calendar year when He misses a deadline. There is no sin He will forsake you for. The way we will live out this new year has nothing to do with the fresh start it brings or the things that followed us in. It has everything to do with Who we live it with and Who we live it for. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve are afraid and hiding from the Lord, completely aware and ashamed of their sinful disobedience. This was their first time ever feeling this way—separated from God. Before sin, they lived in an intimate, moment-by-moment relationship with [...]

Should I prioritize family over work? My quality of work suffers, but my spouse and kids rely on me. I understand the tension here. I’ve felt it myself. In fact, about 10 years ago, I got tired of the tension and finally landed on what I was certain would honor God the most: God first, family second, and work third. (These were even listed on our ministry website when we first launched.) And while I wouldn’t say I disagree with that order now, here’s what I’ve learned: whenever I try to seek the Lord and anything else (family included!), chaos follows—and quickly. If you try to prioritize loving God, being a good spouse and present parent, and finding fulfillment in your career, you’ll quickly find anxiety and discontentment. My colleague Somer Phoebus and I shared what happens next in She Works His Way: A Practical Guide for Doing What Matters Most in a Get-Things-Done World: “To escape those feelings, you’ll try to work harder, do more, and be better in all the ways the world tells you to because that is the promise culture makes us: More self-care, self-study, ambition, and all the good vibes you can muster up [...]

Have you felt the shift too? What used to be described as the most wonderful time of the year has been culturally replaced with the “Christmas crazy.” In my conversations with women, it seems the excitement and joy we had as kids has largely been replaced with calendar (and budget!) management with a side of stress and pressure. And if that’s how we view Christmas, it’s no wonder we attempt to rush through it. I get it. Five or six years ago, that’s where I was too. Hanging by a thread physically and emotionally, I forced a smile on my face during my so-called “favorite” holiday, even though on the inside I was so ready for Christmas to be over so things would slow down. One morning, I was praying about my attitude when a thought entered my mind: Things don’t slow down. People do. Christmas wasn’t the culprit of the crazy pace. I was. I wish you couldn’t relate, but I’m certain most of you can. If you’re reading this, I’m also going to guess that’s not your heart’s desire. You want an unhurried Christmas – both for your heart and your home. I do too. Here are [...]