Tag Archives: hope

One Piece at a Time

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Just Stephanie

Yesterday, I moved some things out of my house. They were heavy, and I got it done all by myself. It was a big, ugly job, and the prep took almost two weeks. I wear literal wounds on my body … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real | Tagged authenticity, being authentic, being real, Bethel Music, bleeding, broken heart, cleaning, dirty work, downsizing, dumbfounded, finding a voice, hard, hard work, healed heart, hope, hurts, King of Anything, life explosion, love of Jesus, music, no clue, organizing, personal work, pieces, Pieces song, pushback, rubble, Sarah Bareilles, shards on floor, sorting through, squeamish, Steffany Gretzinger, ugly, ugly work, uncomfortable, warts and all, whole heart | Leave a comment

May You Find a Light 💡

Posted on December 18, 2019 by Just Stephanie

The Christmas Season. In the past, it weighed me down with its busyness, expense, and frantic pace. Not in 2019, and I can’t explain that, because this year represents the hardest time of my life. And yet… The light shines, … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Being Real, The Year of Light (2019) | Tagged 2019, busy, Christmas, Christmas season, expense, frantic pace, hard life, hard times, hard times at holidays, holiday wish, holidays, hope, illuminates, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus Light, Josh Garrels, life, Light, light illuminates, Light of the World, light shines, love, May You Find a Light, one step at a time, Person of Jesus, pray, walking forward, wish, Year of Light | 2 Comments

Classic 💛

Posted on August 26, 2019 by Just Stephanie

Recently, I was reminded of the goodness of this song by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Helplessly hoping, I feel I am, at times, but of course, that’s not true. Our hearts get tired, but love is worth the risk. Our … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Just Being Real, The Year of Light (2019) | Tagged aching bodies, all the good things, authentic life, Crosby Stills & Nash, draw breath, good things, hang in there, Helplessly Hoping, hope, live, love worth the risk, not giving up, opportunity, The Art of Racing In the Rain, tired hearts, worth it all in the end | 2 Comments

The Fall 🍂

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Just Stephanie

My brother’s death kicked me in the chest, and freeze-framed me in the beginnings of the season we call fall. Teresa, my sister-in-law, understands how unsafe it is for me to be real right now, because I told her so. … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real, The Year of Light (2019) | Tagged autumn, being real, brother, college guy, death, fall, God's love, grief, Half Alive, Happy Birthday Timothy, healing, hope, letting God hold me, music tip, not safe, process, resting, simple, simple truth, thanks, The Fall | Leave a comment

Wildflowers

Posted on April 11, 2019 by Just Stephanie

My paths cross with those of other humans. I like people, and I care about their stories. Sometimes, as we talk, we become friends. The stories I’m told sometimes break my heart. My wish is to own a magic eraser, … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the Monsters, The Year of Light (2019) | Tagged 1 Corinthians 13, adopted daughter, daughter of the King, Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV version, fairy dust, feeling beaten down, friends, God, God of the Bible, God's love meets my needs, God's only Son, God's perfect love, golden light, good things, heartbreaking, Hebrews 13:5, hope, humans, I Will Never Leave You, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Joshua 1:5, life, look up, magic eraser, magic wand, NIV version, pain, paths in life, people, persevere, proper self value, run to Jesus, Scripture Lullabies, sparkling light, stories, suffering, Texas bluebonnets, Tom Petty, value, Wildflowers, wish, wishes, You belong among the wildflowers., You belong somewhere you feel free. | Leave a comment

Your Prison Stories ⛓

Posted on November 22, 2018 by Just Stephanie

My last post explained about a prison I was in, and how I discovered the door was unlocked, so I opened it, and walked out. Since then, I’ve heard some of your prison stories. They seemed insightful, so I’ll share … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real, My Miracle, The Year of Forward (2018) | Tagged Braver Still, freedom, hope, Jesus, JJ Heller, prison | Leave a comment

And Starting Over ☀️

Posted on September 20, 2018 by Just Stephanie

Last Sunday, when I walked around the corner, there were all sorts of lessons in that golden light. And especially, there was a refreshing message about suffering. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real, The Year of Forward (2018) | Tagged Hillsong Worship, hope, New Wine, redemption, starting over | 1 Comment

Don’t Ask Me How I Am…

Posted on April 22, 2018 by Just Stephanie

…because I might answer you honestly. There is a standard American greeting, at least in the south, that goes something like this: How are you? I’m well, thank you. How are you? I am well. I’ve pondered this greeting for … Continue reading →

Posted in Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real, The Year of Forward (2018) | Tagged Bethel Worship, hope, How are you?, It Is Well With My Soul, Standard American Greeting, suffering | 2 Comments

A Mother’s Day Story

Posted on May 14, 2017 by Just Stephanie

This is s story about me and my mom. It’s really only a tiny slice off the story, and it’s deeply personal. But I share it to steward it, to offer hope to other broken wrecks out there, and because … Continue reading →

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Facing the Monsters, Just Being Real, The Year of Order (2017) | Tagged healing, HIdden, hope, Mothers Day, United Pursuit | 2 Comments

Death in the Grave

Posted on May 14, 2016 by Just Stephanie

Reading a friend’s blog today reminded me of this song. ♥ I loved Erin’s words. She’s experienced the death of several people close to her, as have I. It’s hard. But as she said so well, HOPE. Thank You, Jesus.

Posted in A Thankful Heart, Facing the Monsters | Tagged death, death in his grave, hope, John Mark McMillan | Leave a comment