As a new mother, I was on the receiving end of some really sweet encouragement.  I remember the feelings of gratitude, of wanting to pay it forward- and I remember how hard it was to do much of anything, beyond taking care of my baby at that time.  

Finding balance is hard and I often overcorrect when I attempt to do it on my own.  I love what JD wrote in this week's featured post about obedience, rest, and finding the right point of focus. Her post is titled Balancing Act and she shares some great insights that she has learned in her own faith journey. I hope you'll take a moment to visit, say hello, and be challenged as I was. 

If there’s something to worry about, I will probably be the first one to grab that what-if out of nowhere and contemplate all its possible outcomes. It’s my way of feeling like I can spot trouble before it happens so I can do something to prevent it from becoming my own horrible reality.

This week's featured post for the Grace and Truth link up is by Shannon, writer at Of the Hearth. I think the comparison trap is something we all struggle with.  Shannon offers some practical ways to address this problem in her post.  It's called 4 Ways to Quell Comparison. 

This week's featured post for the Grace and Truth link up is by Christin, who writes at Garments of Splendor.  It's called, 3 Ways to Experience True Freedom in Christ. The freedom that we can find in Christ is truly amazing.  Because of His grace, we are no longer bound by our former identity.  I hope you'll take a moment to visit Christin and be encouraged as I was!

Shortly after we were married, my husband and I moved hundreds of miles away from our hometown to go to college.  We were strangers to nearly everyone in our new town. Not long after arriving, we ended up going to a church where we were warmly welcomed and shown what Christian hospitality is all about.

Trusting God when life is painful doesn't always feel like the most natural thing to do- but through the Holy Spirit and with some of the practical, wise suggestions in this week's featured post, we can.  And what a sweet blessing it is, to lean on Him!  This week's featured post for the Grace and Truth link up is by Leslie Newman who writes at Journey to Imperfect.  It's titled, How to Trust God When Life is Painful.  I hope you'll take a moment to visit and be encouraged as I was. 

Afternoon tea.  You don’t have to be British and you don’t have to be a six-year-old girl to have fun with this idea.  Hosting an afternoon tea is a sweet way to let your girlfriends know you appreciate them.  

As a culture, we sure do tend to fight against rest!  This week's featured post is a good reminder of why it's a good idea to slow down. It's called How Rest Can Redeem Our Homes by Nicole, who writes at Redeeming Home. I hope you'll take a moment to go, say hello, and be encouraged as I was!