enLIVEn Devotionals

Abiding in Jesus - Overflowing His Spirit

A Mother's Influence

One morning while brushing my teeth, I looked up and saw my mother staring back at me in the mirror. I was so startled I swallowed some toothpaste. How could this be? With haste, I ran into my bedroom and the sight of what I found stopped me dead in my tracks: the full length mirror. I squinted hard and ever so gingerly I turned around. There it was...right there in front of me...well, behind me really. My mother’s butt! When I was 11 years old, I distinctly remember making a pact with myself that I would never become my mother. I vowed never to wear comfortable shoes, lose touch with the ... Read the Post

Climbing Higher

I tried rock climbing once. My senior class in college took a trip to Yosemite National Park where the rock-climbing club from our campus volunteered to give a lesson to those who were interested. It looked easy enough; it wasn’t. Swaddled in harness and ropes, I began my ascent, quickly realizing that the strength I needed would have to come from my fingers and arms--every little muscle in each would be required for the task. My legs existed for balance and support as my hands sought a sure grip for lifting myself to the next level. Halfway up the rock face, I thought I could go no ... Read the Post

The Joy-Giver

My first year of married life was a topsy-turvy one. I lost my job right before our wedding, which was a tough slam on my self-esteem. With no job on the horizon, I decided to try being a homemaker and freelance writer. I had mixed feelings about my new calling. I loved having the ability to write whenever and wherever I wanted, but the solitary days were tough. I was lonely, depressed, and feeling as if I wasn’t “doing” enough with my life. I felt as if I was settling for less by staying at home. It took the news of my husband’s military deployment to shake me out of my rut. It was then that ... Read the Post

I Have a Purpose

I remember so many days when I'd sit and cry out to God, Do I really have a purpose? It seemed my life was all about wiping noses, running carpools and doing laundry. While being a full-time wife and mother of three children, there were many days I questioned myself. After a very challenging day in Mommyland, I had a “Calgon, take me away” moment. I sat in my bathtub full of soothing bubbles asking God Why? I admit – I was having a full-blown pity party right there in my own tub! Before I went to bed that night, I picked up my Bible and began to read. I had questions and I needed ... Read the Post

Surviving Adultery

I have been married eight years now. In our second year, our marriage fell prey to adultery. The painful and unforgettable truth was unveiled by God's hand. We were done, I was sure. As I looked down into my arms at our ten month old son, I was surrounded by a whirlwind of emotions. This is not fair God! I stand here with so many heavy weights upon me, and I did nothing. I was angry, hurt, frustrated, and scared. Even though I was badly hurt, my husband didn't want me to leave. I didn't know what to do because I truly didn't want to hurt him or our son by taking his daddy away. But how ... Read the Post