This page contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to…
most popular aden posts |
Devotional Time Reframe
During my time with God this morning, He gave me some direction. I listened and wrote down what I heard and then moved directly from writing it down to reading my devotional. Because I have limited…
Hope Against Hope: The Power of a Promise in the Midst of an Impossible Situation
I woke up this morning to the words “hope against hope”. I had gone to bed praying, talking to God about my current health and financial situation, asking for wisdom and peace as I wait for…
Nevertheless – Word for 2023 and a Perspective Shift: What if Life is Like Powerlifting?
For the past few weeks, my oxygen has been below 90% several times a day. There is a possibility that I will be back on oxygen, at least while I sleep until I can have a…
We Need Each Other, Thoughts About Self-Soothing, Isolation, and Holding Space
I have a lot to say about this photo. Thought #1 Riley was scared because of the loud upstairs neighbor. She stood in the middle of the living room and I could see her considering her options. Fear short circuits the brain, it often doesn’t matter that we have a lot of options in a situation where fear and anxiety are taking control. We tend to lean on what we’ve practiced. It’s not enough to say, “The option was there.” You have to learn by doing so that the response/choice becomes automatic. This was her first step in developing a new pattern. She chose to run to my…
Not Coerced but Welcome – Intentional Nearness
Ordinarily, Riley starts her morning on the floor with her peanut butter Kong. Then she moves to the far end of the couch. Every couple minutes, she stands up with her back to me and takes a few steps closer, gradually backing in to be as close to me as she can while continuing to enjoy her treat. This morning this precious routine made me think of our place in the cleft of the rock, tucked safely in the arms of Jesus, where we are loved, protected, and welcomed. Riley knows exactly how to wedge herself into the place of comfort and warmth that she wants to be…
Isolation and Re-Engagement During the Pandemic
Not knowing if I was going to live or die for over 20 consecutive days fundamentally changed me in ways that are hard to express. Even now, almost a year later, I find myself surprised at how deeply the entire experience impacted me, my perception of life, my values, and my connection to others.
God’s Order of Operations
This past weekend I participated in an event through my church called a Freedom Encounter. It was the culmination of a small group study I did called Freedom which was amazing. I am a different person…