Author: Bethany Howard
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It’s the same moon
The full moon was breath-taking last night when I saw it playing hide and seek behind some leafless trees. It took my breath away because it was so low, so gigantic, so faithful, so unassuming. Then, this morning it was low in the sky as I took my daughter to school. We embraced the moments…
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A thrill of hope
A thrill of hope caught me by surprise. I didn’t recognize it at first. It was a beautiful sunset, yes, but I’ve seen them before. But this one was unrelenting, full of saturated color in shades of ochre, violet, gold, magenta, crimson. It cycled through colors in time with breath. Breath in. Breath out. …
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The long night ahead.
She decides between coffee or a small supply of the kids’ favorite cereal. It’s one or the other on her budget. The cereal wins because it is about more than just cereal. It’s a reminder of normalcy. It’s a reminder to the kids that she remembers. It is a small way to introduce a bit…
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Bravery is not a guarantee
Bravery is not a guarantee. Bravery is not a trade for the outcome you desire. Bravery is just the next step you take. We don’t know what is around the corner but the next step must still be taken. It is an exercise in trust, but don’t forget – you’re in good hands. Bravery,…
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Moments with and
The end of a full day leaves her with a slight headache, achy body, full heart, a few regrets, and a few wins — and there’s still more to do. It’s one of those nights, when she doesn’t know whether to keep pushing through or call it enough. A bath sounds great and so does …
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She doesn’t mind
She prays, she studies, she writes. She steps into what she is made for. She leads others to pursue the heart of God. There may be some who think she should not speak, that she should go home, but she doesn’t mind. Let them talk. She doesn’t answer to them. She advocates, she speaks, she…
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Show and tell
Please unpack your lunch. Put your shoes away. I love you. Please put your clothes in the dirty clothes hamper. Use kind words. Your family matters most. Please tie your shoes. Don’t mess with your sister! Leave your brother alone! Jesus loves you more than I do. These are a sampling of the reminders I…
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In the wrong
The greatest gift we can give someone is inviting them to be fully themselves with us and then cheering them on as they pursue all they are meant for. We don’t all receive this gift. And this is why: We withhold permission from others to step into all that they are made for because it…
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Don’t forget to breathe
When it seems like joy is hiding, When it seems laughter is A risk you can’t afford. When you question whether you can smile without lying, don’t forget to breathe. In And Out. Just be. It is okay to be angry. In fact, you should be mad. Just don’t sit in it, instead, let it…
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Truth is louder
Doubt won’t let me be great. I have ideas but doubt says they’re dumb. Too often the ideas stay nebulous and never become living, breathing entities. You can blame doubt for that. I walk into a room full of peers and question whether I belong, wonder if there’s even something I can offer. I stick…
