I’m so glad you’re here. Today I’m sharing an “everyday devotional.” An anecdote from life, seen through a Christ’s-Kingdom lens. Grab your coffee (or beverage of choice) and join me as we explore God’s boundaries for us…as inspired by a defiant toddler attending church service.
Returning to “Regular” Church
Recently our church reopened for in-person services. There have been lots of changes and precautions implemented.
Of all the changes that our church has put in place, our family is most affected by the temporary closure of children’s church. Gideon, who used to play happily with his friends during the service is now sitting in church with us. Mind you–I’m using the term “sitting” very loosely.
Our church family has extended lots of grace to families with little ones. No one is cranky or exasperated with restless kids. We’re all just happy to be together again.
Toddler Boundaries
But here’s the thing.
After about 30 minutes Gideon becomes restless. His little body just can’t be still for the entire length of the service. I understand.
Our family sits in chairs against the back wall of the sanctuary. There is a large gap between our seats and the last pew. We do this strategically so Gideon can have space to move around when he gets wiggly.
It’s a big area for a little guy. But it’s still not enough. He is old enough to understand simple boundaries we set for him. In the sanctuary, I tell him he can go anywhere on the blue carpet (basically, anywhere in the sanctuary.) No climbing the stairs, no crossing the threshold to the lobby. Lots of his favorite people are in the room with us. They’d love a walk by visit from Gideon.
I know he understands. But it’s still not enough.
Toeing the Line
Even though he has plenty of space to walk around, he heads directly for the threshold of the sanctuary, where a black strip separates blue carpet from gray. He literally puts his toes on the line, squats down and looks back at me with a gleam in his eye. (Please tell me someone else can relate to this.)
He knows the boundary, but he can’t resist pushing it. I call him back. Or carry him back. Next he may go to the base of the stairs. He’ll climb the first stair and give me “the look.” All this repeats over and over.
Considering God’s Boundaries and Will For Us
As I continued to repeatedly retrieve him from the edges of our boundaries it occurred to me: this is something I do with God. This is something humanity has always done. The safety of God’s will is a wide, wonderful place. Lots of our favorite people are here. There is plenty to do. Plenty of space to wander and explore.
But often we still behave as if it’s not enough.
We can be fooled into thinking that God’s will is a narrow and dull corridor. That it is specific to the point of being confusing or hard to find.
This isn’t true.
The Bible has lots to say about God’s will. Instead of a dark, confining closet, the Word shows us that God’s will and boundaries are more like a vast land preserve. Plenty of space, lots to see and do. Just stay inside the protected land–the boundary is there for our benefit. (John 6:40 is one of my favorite examples of what the Bible specifically says about God’s will. Here is a list of verses pertaining to God’s will.)
Kind of like…Go anywhere on the blue carpet.
But how often do we (do I) immediately head for the black line separating blue from gray and look back at God with a gleam in my eye. Surely this is okay. Surely putting my toes across the line is okay. What about one step into the gray?
Loud is the lie that God’s boundaries are restrictive, stealing our freedom. The truth is, God’s boundaries give us real freedom. Freedom to live in intimacy with our Creator. Freedom to focus on what matters. Staying within God’s will means we have freedom from the bonds of sin and death. We are free to truly live. (More on the freedom God gives us here.)
God’s Grace When We Cross the Line
Let’s not forget about God’s goodness and grace toward us when we push the boundary or cross the line. (Here are more verses about asking God for help.)
For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.
How many times does God lovingly retrieve me? How many times does He remind me of the boundaries of His will? Even more, how much time has He spent holding my hand, helping me resist the temptation to cross the line?
Just as I continue to remind Gideon that he has plenty of space, God has reminded me over and over that His will is the right place. In the same way that I explain that our boundaries keep Gideon safe, God tells us the boundaries of His will are designed to keep us safe too.
Inevitably, Gideon crosses the line. He leaves the sanctuary and heads to the gray-carpeted lobby. Sometimes it’s only a step and a mischievous look. Sometimes it’s a full sprint through the lobby, headed straight for the open door to the parking lot. Or the stairs to the lower level.
I go after Him every time.
God does the same for us. When we cross the line, He is faithful to call us back. Even when we wander far, He is faithful to take our willing hand and lead us back inside His will.
Trusting God’s Boundaries
Loud is the lie that God’s boundaries for us steal our freedom. With time and spiritual maturity, we will begin to trust God to set our limits.
Really, it boils down to trust. Don’t you think? Gideon needs to learn to trust us to set boundaries for him. We need to trust God to set boundaries for us. Ideally someday Gideon will understand that Derek and I see a little farther, know a little more, and want him to thrive.
As we mature in faith we will grow in our trust for God. Trusting that He sees farther, knows more, and sets boundaries for our good. He wants us to thrive.
Friends, learning to stay close to God and trust Him to set our boundaries takes discipline. And practice. It may never be a perfect science. But God will always be faithful to help us resist the temptation to cross the line. Or help us back once we’ve crossed.
I hope this has encouraged your heart today. If it has, I’d love if you shared or commented. For more everyday devotionals and encouragement, join me on Facebook or Instagram. There you’ll find a growing community striving to live intentionally, while viewing life through a Christ’s-Kingdom lens.
Today’s Minot Monday post–all about a road trip from Minot to Rapid City–is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local and loving our town. For more getaway ideas see here.
In Custer State Park en route to Little Devil’s Tower
For this edition of Minot Monday we are headed on a road trip! If you live in Minot you simply must put a trip to Rapid City and the Black Hills on your to-see list.
Last week I needed to go down to Rapid City to do some maintenance on our rental property. I thought it would be fun to give you some inside tips for if/when you decide to take a road trip from Minot to Rapid City. Because, let’s be honest. If you are living in Minot you are in the perfect location to explore the Black Hills region over a long weekend. The drive down is a reasonably short. The scenery is beautiful. There are so many things to do you’ll leave wanting to come back. And you’ll head back to Minot refreshed and exhilarated.
If you have recently relocated to North Dakota, take advantage of your new location. Explore what this region of the country has to offer. Previously when we lived in Minot, coming down to the Black Hills was our favorite quick trip. I’m convinced it can be your favorite trip too!
Now–let’s all keep in mind that I am not advising anyone to hop in their cars and take a vacation at this moment. Please use common sense, adhere to the latest CDC guidelines, practice social distancing and most importantly, do what you think is right for you and your family. These ideas can be kept for the future.
Where is Rapid City?
Main Street Square, Downtown Rapid City
Rapid City and the Black Hills are in western South Dakota. From Minot its about a 6.5 hour drive. Yes, to an outsider that might seem like a long drive. But in North Dakota it’s not too far at all. I typically allow 7 hours for driving and a meal and gas stop.
Tips for a Road Trip From Minot to Rapid City
Spring Creek Trail
When we road trip from Minot to Rapid City, we prefer this route. Usually we stop at the Powderhorn Restaurant in Lemmon, SD. It’s quirky, basically half way and the food is always good.
If you’ve taken shorter drives in North Dakota, you know that there aren’t many amenities outside of towns. On a longer road trip like this be sure to fuel up before leaving Minot. Then take advantage of gas stations (and food/toilets) along the way. Proper stops are few and far between.
Cell service and data become spotty on the drive. Take a back up map or copy screen shots of your route, just in case signal drops off.
Things to See in Rapid City and The Black Hills
If I listed all the things to do and see in this region, this post could go on forever. Instead I’ll give you some links from the official visitor guides and a list of my favorite things. This is a family friendly area and there are tons of things for all travelers to do.
No trip would be complete without taking in the Black Hills via hiking. Trails are everywhere and range from easy (I just took a great hike with a three year old) to strenuous multi-day journeys. Below are a few of my favorite places to hike. Here are 10 more great hikes. And here is an abundance of information on Black Hills trails.
Mount Rushmore (the museum is fascinating–and if you go, you better get a scoop of Jefferson Vanilla. If you don’t you’ll be missing out your whole life.)
My Favorite Things to Eat in Rapid City and the Black Hills
Mount Rushmore
Good food is everywhere. One thing I love about this region is that there is so much to do, your trip won’t be centered around food. But you’ve gotta eat sometime, so you might as well make it good. Here’s a full list of Rapid City eats and Black Hills eats.
Like I said, if you find yourself living in Minot take advantage of your proximity to this scenic and historic region. If you are living in Minot for only a short time, you may never get a chance to explore this region with such ease. For other road trips remember to check out these ideas from BeLOCAL. Great getaways within an easy drive are just another reason to love life in Minot.
For more Minot Monday posts see here. If you would like more encouragement, and to join a community of people aiming to live intentionally and see the good–I hope you’ll join us on Facebook and Instagram.
Today I’m excited to bring you a free 90 day chronological Bible reading plan. I’ll be kicking off my reading on June 1 and I hope you join me. The free download is at the bottom of this post, or in the Resource Library. I’ve written some things I have learned through doing a 90 day reading plan…and how it has added to my testimony.
Four years ago I accepted a challenge from a friend to embark on a 90 Bible reading adventure. At the time, I was in the fledgling stages of claiming full victory over a lifelong battle with anxiety and depression. I’d recently walked through the darkest days of my life. A time in which my thoughts, emotions and even spirituality were jumbled and flipped.
During those long months of what I can now clearly see was a mental health crisis it took all of my strength and cognition to hang on to the Truth. God is real. Jesus is my Savior. God is a deliverer, not my enemy. If you have grappled with depression and anxiety, you know things can seem very mixed up. The temptation to believe lies is more real than you may ever have imagined.
I Thought The Timing Was All Wrong.
Anyway, in the early summer of 2016 I had completed counseling which took me to the root causes of much of my anxiety and depression. I was healing, but the wounds were still a little raw.
Mentally, I was exhausted from learning to live out new healthy patterns of thought. Emotionally, I was drained because Derek and I were moving and there were many uncertainties. He had already left to train for his next job, I was alone–finalizing the sale of our house and packing. Physically, I was just dog-tired.
When the challenge came to join in a 90 day read through of the Bible I had several initial thoughts. I’m too tired for that. The timing isn’t right to take this on. I struggle with a year-long Bible reading plan–how could I do it in three months? I’ll try again some other time.
But the challenge nagged at me. Deep in my heart I could hear God telling me this was exactly the right time. I could feel the Holy Spirit assuring me that this would not be a burden, that His Word would be a salve to my wounds. This would propel me forward if I would let it.
Why I Love The 90 Day Chronological Bible Reading Plan
So, with much hesitation I started.
Friends, it really did change me. It did all those things my heart could hear, and so much more.
Because I chose to read in chronological order, I saw Scripture as a cohesive, narritive–from beginning to end. (Well–the end of the book. Revelation isn’t really “the end,” is it?)
Because the time frame was short, I gained an overall understanding of the “Bigger Story” told in the Bible. By reading in 90 days, I was able to see how the entirety of Scripture works together.
Because it was a fairly short commitment, I was more inclined to stay on top of it.
I’ve read the Bible in 90 days several times now. Every time is sweet and always worth the effort and challenge.
How Did I Really Read the Bible in 90 Days?
If you are hesitant, like I was–let me encourage you. This is how it looked for me.
First of all, it took me about 100 days instead of 90. Extend yourself grace. Don’t get discouraged.
Second, I’ve used a variety of techniques. I’ve done a complete audio “read-through.” I’ve done a combination of reading and listening. And I’ve done only reading. I prefer a combination of the two. For me, listening is best. I focus better and have better recall.
Third, I don’t always do all the reading at once. Depending on the day I may have 3-4 short reading sessions to tackle the day’s text–instead of one long session.
It This Really Doable?
Yes. It seems more implausible than it really is. Once you start you’ll see that this is a doable goal.
Audio Bibles are a great way to get the reading in, even if you aren’t able to sit and read. (There are lots of good options at BibleGateway)
I’m a terribly slow reader. To tackle the 90 day chronological Bible reading plan I need to split the texts up if I’m reading. Cumulatively it takes me 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete. (Also because I lose my train of thought when I read.) If I listen, it takes about 20-30 minutes. I’ll typically listen to the texts multiple times in one day. It’s more doable than you think.
All in all, it’s a small time commitment. Carve out the time for something this vital. Your heart will change. Your understanding of who God really is will be enhanced.
This is Your Right Time
Maybe you’re like me. Hesitant. Sure there will be a better time. Whatever hard times you’ve seen lately–maybe this is your right time. Your perfect moment to say “Yes” to something that truly matters, truly heals and brings true clarity and knowledge.
Just try.
I can’t promise you a list of benefits. But I can tell you from experience: time spent challenging myself to know God more deeply has never been wasted. Every time I push into to discover more about God’s character–I come out with joy more tangible, feet more planted and assured, fear a little farther away. Maybe this is your perfect moment to say “Yes.”
Here’s the Plan
It’s May 20. I’m kicking off my next “90 day chronological Bible reading plan” challenge on June 1. That gives you ten days to pray, prepare your heart and decide if you’d like to commit. I’d love to have you reading alongside me. To make it easier, I’ve got a downloadable Chronological 90 Day Bible Reading Plan–FREE, just for you.
There are lots of plans floating around. But this is the one I’ll be using…and it’s pretty. And doesn’t it feel better to take on a challenge with something pretty taped to the fridge? You can get the plan below. Or in the Resource Library.
I’ll be talking about the daily reads (or listens) on Instagram and in Instagram stories–I’d love to have you join me! I hope to be reading alongside you on June 1!
DOWNLOAD THE 90 DAY READING PLAN
The 90 Day Bible Challenge is designed to saturate your mind with Scripture so you'll gain clarity, perspective and confident discernment. Basically, your mind will have space to breathe.
Sign up to get the reading guide and access to our private Facebook group.
As Minot steps into summer I’ll be sharing some of my favorite warm weather activities with you. Today, I’m talking about the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot. Much of this information can be found at the zoo’s website. I’ve compiled it here alongside my personal experience.A big thanks to BeLOCAL Minot for partnering with me to make Minot Mondays possible.
Summer in Practically Canada
Summer brings out a whole new set of funtivities in Practically Canada (AKA, Minot.) We start to come out of our winter cocoons of dinners in, church potlucks and game nights. Instead we venture out into the endless daylight to enjoy parks and ice cream and gardens and hikes.
The Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot is a great small town zoo. It’s a great zoo for our community and a wonderful resource for a city the size of Minot. It’s a perfect place to take a walk and enjoy the perfect North Dakota summer weather. Don’t fall into the trap of negativity by comparing it to a zoo in a bigger city like Omaha, Colorado Springs or Dallas. Those zoos are great–but Minot isn’t a metropolis. We are blessed to have a zoo in town to enjoy!
One of the things I appreciate most at the Roosevelt Park Zoo is that they are constantly improving (at least since I first moved to Minot in 2012.) The community has rallied around this resource to raise money to improve dated habitats and offer lots of valuable community education (for adults and littles) all year long.
I always like the zoo. But now that I have a little who loves animals, I’ve realize just how special it is to have a zoo right here in our back yard.
Zoo staff is working hard to keep things clean and safe during the COVID-19 era. Facilities are clean and things are regularly wiped down. There are hand sanitizer stations available near the petting zoo. (The “petting” portion was closed during our visit.)
You can bring snacks into the park. But staff asks that you do not bring disposable straws and lids inside. (I just learned that naughty squirrels like to dig them out of the trash and place them in animal enclosures.) There are benches throughout the park and a few tables near the concession building, but no “official” picnic shelters–so just keep that in mind when you pack up to come.
Pro Tip: Keepers and staff told me that many animals are fed and enclosures cleaned shortly after opening. This is a prime time to see animals active and interacting with staff (and to ask staff questions.) Gideon and I arrived at 10:30–which gave a good opportunity to see lots of morning activity.
Strollers and wagons are welcome in the park. You can also rent a wagon at the gate.
On our inaugural trip we spent about two hours exploring and watching the animals. This allowed us to walk the whole zoo and revisit our favorite exhibits again before leaving.
For a list of things that may be closed or limited access see here.
What Kind of Animals Are There At Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot?
This summer Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot is celebrating 100 years since it first opened! It’s grown since 1920 and is now home to more than 200 animals.
New big-cat habitats are under construction. A new lion habitat recently opened. As I said earlier, the zoo is working hard to continue offering an excellent experience into its next century.
Gideon and I love seeing the giraffes and primates. Those were animals he was excited to revisit.
Tell Me About Admission. Is a Membership Worth It?
Full admission prices are here. However, I’ll give you my personal opinion on this:
If you are a mom of a little who likes animals, you should become a zoo member. Admission is totally reasonable ($9.50/adult during the summer, $5.50/adult in winter.) Kids have lower admission and kids under 3 are FREE!
An annual zoo membership is $45 for an individual or $75 for a family (other membership options with additional perks are available. See here.)
A little math will tell you, it won’t take long for a membership to pay off. We’ve already used our membership twice and they just opened on May 9!
A membership takes pressure off of needing to spend a “whole day” at the zoo to make admission “worthwhile.” You can come and go as you please and only stay 30 minutes if your kids have a melt down. It’s great and I highly recommend it. Additionally, members get discounts on classes that happen year round–another great investment.
Glad you asked. The answer is “a lot.” The zoo continues to be open (weather permitting) with limited hours. They also offer classes for all ages throughout the year. I’ve heard AMAZING feedback about the Zoo Tots classes from other moms in town.
The zoo is only a short drive from anywhere in Minot (like most things in Minot.) It’s just east of downtown off of Burdick, as you head to the fairgrounds. The parking lot is at the entrance of Roosevelt Park.
Because the zoo is attached to Roosevelt Park, it’s a perfect place to have a day’s worth of adventure. The park has a nice walking trail, beautiful gardens and a nice playground. Roosevelt Park Pool is also located there and will be opening for the season May 31.
Get Outside
I hope you’ll get outside this week and enjoy the start of a North Dakota summer. More on the zoo and other fun summer activities is here at BeLOCAL. What other places do you love to explore in nice weather? I’d love to hear from you. Comment below or join the positive-vibes community, committed to loving where they live by hanging out with me on Instagram or Facebook. Have a great week!
Today I’m talking about being a child of God and the affection He has for us. This is an “everyday devotional.” A mundane moment in my very ordinary life, seen through a Christ-centered lens. I believe when we view our life as anecdotes of God’s grace, we will see His stories all around us. Grab your coffee (or water) and come into my messy, under-construction house (and life.)
We Play A Lot of “Hide” At My House.
For the last few months Gideon (now just over 2) has been really into playing “hide.” It’s adorable. He wants to get under any piece of fabric or pillow in the house. It’s never a good hiding place. Usually I’m the one to cover him up. He’ll tell me he wants to “HI-HEE” while pointing to a blanket. Translation: “Hide, here.”
Once covered, he’ll proclaim from under the blankets, “Ma, yook.” Translation: Mom, pretend to look all over, then find me.
Like I said, it’s adorable. It can also get old. But it’s mostly adorable.
Recently though, he’s wanted Derek or me to hide with him. Sometimes he’ll want the other parent to look and find–sometimes he just wants to be under the blankets and whisper.
Hiding With Gideon
A few days ago I was playing hide with Gideon. We were under the covers on my bed. The sheets with a faded blue stripe were perfectly diffusing the morning light. My arm was propping up the sheet to create a nice tent for us. Perfectly hidden from the outside world, but with plenty of room to play.
He rolled around and crawled to the deepest dark at the foot of the bed. Eventually that wore him out and he became still. He rested his head on my arm (not the tenting arm), played with a toy car and talked quietly to himself. He didn’t want me to move, just to stay there, hiding with him.
It struck me in that moment that I was completely and utterly happy with what was happening. My heart was so full. I could have watched him forever under the soft glow of the sheets. He is completely captivating to me. I love the way his hands look when he holds a toy. How his voice sounds. The way he rolls his eyes when he is thinking hard. The way he smiles with his whole face.
I love that I speak “fluent Giddy.” I can decipher full sentences from his fragmented syllables and hand gestures. Like every mom, my list could go on for a long time, but I’ll stop here.
This bottomless well of affection is something I could never have fully grasped until I became a mom. I liked kids. But I didn’t consider myself a “kid person.” This affinity I have for Gideon is totally different–and foreign to me.
It struck me as we laid there in peace, hiding from the world. I am just so happy when he wants to be with me. It’s an honor to my heart for him to want me near.
I basked in that truth. Me. A girl who never thought she was the marrying type–let alone the momming type–turning to mush under the bed sheets because a two year old wants her. What a humbling, satisfying truth.
As I laid there, I could hear God’s sweet voice speaking to my heart in the stillness.
That feeling that I have toward Gideon. That heart-bursting, stomach-melting love. Those feelings pale in comparison to God’s desire for us. For all ways I know Gideon–God knows us deeper. He can discern our mixed up thoughts and words and fragmented sentences. If I can understand Gideon’s words through tears and tantrum, God can understand our words through the deepest heartache and loudest storm.
For all the ways I celebrate Gideon’s triumphs and the things that he is learning and how he is growing–God rejoices with our victories even more. He roots us on and loves to see us learn and grow.
If I bask in moments of stillness with my child, God craves time with us with a hunger we’ll never understand this side of eternity.
God wants nothing more than for us to invite Him to hide with us. To invite Him into our secret places. To talk, or play, or just be still and be with Him.
If I know how my heart threatens explosion to be near my child, I can only imagine how God–the Creator of all, Author of life, Good Father–feels when we want to spend time with Him. Being a child of God means God loves us fiercely, in the purest, deepest ways. Being a child of God means you are wanted by the One who matters most. You are desired, valued, known.
I’m challenging you today. Invite God to hide with you. Bring Him into a secret space in your heart. Whether you talk, or listen, or just be still is up to you.
Please find me on Facebook or Instagram to join a community of awesome people aiming to live lives of intentionality, seeing the world through a Christ-centered lens. And if this post struck a chord with your heart, I’d love if you shared. Thanks for reading.
Today I’m sharing three more lessons I’ve learned about difficult times and moving forward through them. Take heart, you can get through this.
Seasons Change. Be Rational. Hard Seasons Don’t Last Forever
When faced with the challenge of getting through hard times, it’s easy to let anxiety and a “woe-is-me” attitude to spin completely out of control into something irrational. I’ll admit that, for me, irrationality and ranting feel really good. It takes a lot of strength to remain rational and speak truth over the lies (more on overcoming lies here and here.) that encroach on us during a trial. Sometimes it feels really good to just give in and let your anxiety fly.
Maybe it’s just me.
At any rate, getting through hard times requires rationality. To move forward during a difficult season you must keep your head on. Remember the verse cited in Part I?
Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
The Greek words translated “alert” and “sober mind” tell us to be watchful, calm, collected, with a quiet spirit. Additionally, John 8:44 tells us that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. To resist him is to resist the lies that will vie for your attention and belief during a trial. You can only do this when you are “alert” and of “sober mind.”
Dispel lies. Remind yourself of what’s true. This will end. Hard times, difficult seasons–they don’t last forever. Seasons don’t last forever. Every day survived is another day closer to the end of this chapter. You are surviving, you are moving forward, you are not alone.
Write truths down when they come to you. Find them in the Bible. Tell a friend you are struggling and have them help speak truth into your situation.
Set Realistic Goals While Getting Through Hard Times
In Part II of this series I presented three of the six lessons I’ve learned about moving forward through difficult times. One of the lessons is that progress looks different during a trial. If you haven’t read that, go here first.
In my own life I’ve found that there are stages to every difficult season. First there’s a period of triage. I take on a “stop the bleeding” mentality to simply get through each day. Meeting all basic needs is a win during this time.
After that, things stabilize as it becomes clear this tough time is going to cling for a while. At this point continuing to triage only seems to make the days last longer. On top of that, I become frustrated because I can’t go back to my “normal” activities, but I don’t want to sink deeper into a rut.
That’s where defining some realistic goals comes in. Simple, realistic goals will help you continue to move forward as you are getting through hard times.
During Derek’s most recent deployment, while I was facing unrelenting morning sickness and restrictions from the pandemic, he encouraged me to set some goals to steer my focus away from the hardship and onto something else. Putting my mind to something else (while extending grace and being realistic) allowed me to move forward and eased a bit of the pain of trial. It felt like walking through sludge, but eventually I saw that I was becoming less stuck and taking strides forward.
I felt empowered as I saw progress being made. Hard seasons give us very little control, but setting small goals can give a sense of authority back to us. Here are a few examples of my realistic goals from the last month of Derek’s deployment. (Most are house related, remember…we were social distancing.) They aren’t glamorous, they aren’t earth-shattering, but they helped me see that I was moving–even during a hard season. (More on godly goal setting here.)
Clean the windows
Go for four walks each week
Clean cabinet doors
Remove wall paper from the second floor
Review Matthew chapter 5 (something we had memorized, but I let lapse)
Paint something with Gideon
Look For Lessons–Don’t Waste This Season
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Have faith. God will walk you through this. And in my experience, He has never wasted a trial.
I believe God’s heart hurts when we are hurting. But let’s not forget that He is our Redeemer. The God that is able to redeem us from sin and death can redeem even our darkest hardships. He is our Creator. Surely, the One who created everything from nothing can create beauty from trial.
He can. He will. I’ve seen it happen.
Over and over God has been faithful to transform my ugliest trials and most difficult seasons in life into something lovely. When we let Him lead the way through the storm He’ll bring us into the calm with a wild, exciting testimony to share. He will teach us things that will equip us for next time, empower others, or just inspire us to rave about His Might.
When getting through hard times, listen closely for God’s voice. It’s there. Tune your ear to Him–instead of your fear or lies or anger or anxiety or distress. Those voices are loud–but God’s is calm and reassuring. He isn’t going to leave you, He will restore you and redeem you.
Remember God is the Good Guy When Getting Through Hard Times
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Friends, whatever you are facing–or whatever you will face–know that God is the hero, not the villain. He is for you. He has already gone to extraordinary lengths to offer you Salvation and Redemption. God has been faithful and will continue to be faithful. He is unchanging. Take heart. (Unsure about God’s kindness? I used to be too. Read this post.)
What has helped you get through a hard season? I’d love to connect with you on Instagram or Facebook. Come be part of a community seeking to live life with intentionality and through a Christ-centered lens. If this strikes a chord with your heart, please remember to share. Thanks for being here.
Minot Monday is made possible through a partnership with BeLOCAL Minot. BeLOCAL is a guide to living like a local–and aims to help you thrive in Minot. For more road trip ideas see here. For parks in town see here and here.
Before moving to North Dakota I didn’t give much thought to this state. Honestly it was a place I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to, let alone spend years living here. Even after moving into North Dakota, it took me a while to get under the surface and really start enjoying the special things that make life here so great. Things that you can’t find just anywhere.
That’s why I started writing the Minot Monday posts. To help others acclimate and start thriving in Minot more quickly than I did.
One thing I’ve come to love about North Dakota is the opportunity to explore nearly-forgotten places. Yes, I’m talking about our plentiful ghost towns. These places have an indescribable eerie beauty you have to experience to fully understand.
North Dakota ghost towns are plentiful and spread all across the state. Visiting a ghost town makes a great day trip outing (see more day/weekend trip ideas here from BeLOCAL). It’s also fun to stop at one along the way if you are headed out on a road trip. Exploring North Dakota ghosts towns is also a perfect activity to partake in while we continue to observe social distancing rules. You can’t get much more distanced than visiting a town that has been abandoned.
Finding North Dakota ghost towns is pretty easy due to some great resources and people who are passionate about sharing this style of history.
Ghosts of North Dakota is the absolute best resource for finding ghost towns. On their site you can search for a town by name and learn the history of the place you intend to go.
Ghosts of North Dakota also has a Google map with a pin in each ghost town. This way you can get driving directions as well.
The closest ghost towns to Minot are Tagus, Ruso, Bergen, Balfour and Kief. (Personally, I really like Balfour.) From Minot getting to a ghost town will take 30-60 minutes. This is a bit of a drive, but a short one according to North Dakota standards. The drives are scenic and part of the fun of finding these places.
Know Before You Go
These were taken inside the church in Balfour. So many things looked like the congregants has just been there and walked away.
Before you go visiting a North Dakota ghost town, here are a couple things to keep in mind.
Pack snacks or lunch. Driving out into the North Dakota country side is beautiful, but food is scarce. Plan to take car snacks or a picnic lunch if you’ll be getting hungry.
Fuel up first. Again, there isn’t much between towns in North Dakota. Be sure your car has enough fuel before you set out.
Take bug spray. Remember how we talked about ticks last week? Tall grass and country paths are prime tick territory. Remember your bug spray and use it. Also…remember to check for ticks–actually just reread the tick post.
Wear good shoes. This is not a good time for sandals or cheap flip flops. Wear something sturdy with closed toes.
Take a camera and a car charger. You’ll obviously want awesome photos, duh. But signal can be shotty in these places, so be sure to remember a car charger so you don’t get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead phone.
Be respectful. While these are “ghost towns,” some still have a handful of residents living there. Abide by signs, be kind and respectful toward structures, pick up your litter, these are places for everyone to enjoy.
I hope you’ll go out and explore a North Dakota ghost town this summer. Be safe and let me know how you like it! Remember to join me on Instagram and Facebook for more Minot fun and lots of intentional, encouraging living. And please, help keep AmyAllender.com up and running. If you like what you read, remember to share with your friends!
Back in the fall I heard a friend speak about hospitality at MOPS while visiting South Dakota. At the time, I had just closed on Acorn House and it was a hot mess. There would be no formal dinner parties or baby showers at my house for quite some time. But her message challenged and encouraged my heart.
The Christian hospitality that the Bible calls us to isn’t about having a perfect home. The Bible tells us hospitality runs deeper than hosting parties or having “enough space” or “the right kind of house” for guests. It’s a heart attitude that looks outward and reaches those around us. It’s an attitude that is an overflow of the gracious hospitality God has extended to us by welcoming us into His household.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household,
I’ve been ruminating on this post since October. As I’ve prayed over hospitality these past months God has reshaped the way I see being hospitable. I’ve learned that hospitality is something anyone can practice, no matter what the condition of their house.
Defining Hospitality
This definition of hospitality from John Piper has stuck with me since the fall and it’s come to be a motto in my mind.
As far back as you want to go in the history of God’s people, one of the God-appointed duties of the righteous was hospitality—by which I simply mean the willingness to welcome people into your home (or your apartment) who don’t ordinarily belong there.
Willingness to welcome people into your home who don’t ordinarily belong there. Over the months I’ve come to expand this definition to “Willingness to welcome people into your life who don’t ordinarily belong there.”
This view of hospitality is freeing. It doesn’t require party planning, cooking skills or being chronically neat. God desires our willingness to welcome others. (1 Peter 4:9) To welcome them into our home, our activities, our church, our lives. This is hospitality.
The Bible exhorts us not to neglect hospitality. (Hebrews 13:1-2)It goes so far to tell us to seek out opportunities to be hospitable. (Romans 12:13) Hospitality is something we should be on the offensive about–looking for ways to put it into practice, asking God for the strength and renewal we need when being hospitable doesn’t sound appealing.
Practicing Unconventional Hospitality
Since moving in, we’ve had a new roof put on, the garage structure beefed up, foundation cracks repaired, new supports dug in the basement, the furnace fixed, an emergency water heater issue resolved and lots of cabinet and appliance deliveries. This is not to mention the many contractors who have come to give bids and assess projects.
In short, our house has seen a lot of people in it who don’t ordinarily belong here. Rethinking hospitality has helped me not waste these opportunities. Instead of mourning the fact that my house isn’t ready to welcome my friends, I can be hospitable and welcoming to new people–who aren’t usually in my path. What a sweet opportunity God has given us!
A Newer, Sweeter View on Hospitality
When I began to reconsider my view of hospitality, I realized I didn’t need a perfect house or a well stocked kitchen. I only need a willingness to be welcoming and God to help me be aware of opportunities around me. The new military wife in town, those endless contractors, my friends–I could humbly practice hospitality before them when I laid aside my pride and desire for a bigger, better space. After all, yearning for something more than what I have is called coveting. Being shy, ungrateful, believing I should have something better that what I do have is called pride. And using either as an excuse for not allowing God’s love and grace to be displayed in my life is called disobedience. It’s a lazy excuse and it’s wrong.
There is no time better than right now to be loving, welcoming and hospitable to those around us. With social distancing in place, this can be a challenge. But you are creative and great. Satan would love for us to be isolated right now–vulnerable to lies. So we need to fight more than ever to connect and be hospitable. We need to be safe, but we must also fight the urge to overlook those in our path.
I pray over the people who come here. During breaks, I make conversation and I am genuinely interested in their lives. I like to make coffee and offer snacks. I want everyone who comes into my home, town or church to know that they are welcome, they belong, they are valuable. Derek and I also pray that God’s love would be seen in the atmosphere and actions within our walls. Sometimes its not the dinner and game nights of my dreams, but it is hospitality–and I believe God won’t waste it.
Christian Hospitality Has Eternal Ramifications
When we give hospitality a more sacred definition than “party planning” we see that Christian hospitality has eternal ramifications. For example:
The hospitality of Aquila and Pricilla in Acts 18 allowed Paul to minister and teach in Corinth.
In Acts 16 a jailer brought Paul and Silas to his home where he washed their wounds and listened to them. He and his whole house believed and were saved that night.
Jesus’ always made His teaching and message open for all. He welcomed anyone who would come to Him. This is hospitality.
In our culture hospitality with an eternal impact happens when we invite someone into our lives and demonstrate God’s grace through our actions and speech. It happens when we share our testimony over coffee. It happens when we ensure that others feel welcome to join activities that edify our faith.
One of the most important places Christian hospitality takes place is inside the church. Becoming a Welcoming Church does a fabulous job of expounding on how eternally important it is that our churches extend hospitality. (My personal view on this book and 7 other great non-fiction Christian reads are here.)
Real World Examples of Christian Hospitality
As a person who has moved more times than I would have liked, I’ve felt the happiness of being accepted and trusted. I’ve felt the deep pain of shallowness that implied I didn’t belong.
The highs and lows of these experiences are why I’m so passionate about helping others feel like they belong: in my church, in my home, in Minot. The things that have helped me feel most welcome haven’t been extravagant. It’s been things like:
A new friend trusting me to babysit her kids while she ran an errand
An invitation to a small group at church
Getting invited to serve at VBS
An invitation to a “lake” day with a group of friends who’ve been doing it together for years
Hospitality that gets to the heart says, “You belong.” “There is room for you in our circle.” “You’re valuable.” “I can’t wait to see how you can contribute.”
Getting Started With Christian Hospitality
Now it’s your turn. How can you start extending hospitality? There are lots of lonely, hurting people out there right now. And in the current circumstances “traditional” hospitality can be tricky. Here are some questions to pray over to get you started.
What has helped you feel a sense of belonging in a new situation?
What has caused you to feel unwanted in a new situation?
How can you welcome someone who isn’t “ordinarily” in your life?
Who is present in your world right now that isn’t “ordinarily” there? How can you help them feel welcome?
What activities can you include someone in?
Who would you like to know better?
How can you encourage someone to use their gifts?
How can you connect with others right now?
Thanks for joining me again today. I’d love to hear how you are practicing hospitality or how hospitality has been extended to you in a creative way. Comment here or connect with me on Instagram or Facebook. For more on hospitality I highly recommend this article.
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