"Sometimes God’s creation preaches the most surprising sermons. Even though I’m a novice gardener, the metaphor was not lost on me. Sometimes we need a little shaking up to prompt us to flourish in the calling God has for us."

Leave a comment for Dorina: https://incourage.me/?p=249654
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This Christmas, prepare your heart and home with Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas — a beautiful keepsake magazine from DaySpring. Simply Jesus contains scripture, devotions, articles — every page will help you prepare for Christmas. Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or wherever you buy magazines.

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"We are parented by God toward rootedness in the same way that parents work to root their children in Christ – through worship, prayer, and His word. We need strong roots when inevitable storms come, to keep us steady when the winds of life blow.

Then, God parents us toward using our wings, reminding us that when we place our hope in Him, we will “soar on wings like eagles, … run and now grow weary, … walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:3).

And when we use those wings to fly, we can be assured that God goes with us."

Leave a comment for Jennifer: https://incourage.me/?p=249642
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This Christmas, prepare your heart and home with Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas — a beautiful keepsake magazine from DaySpring. Simply Jesus contains scripture, devotions, articles — every page will help you prepare for Christmas. Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or wherever you buy magazines.

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"We are daughters of God created in His image. We are chosen to be part of His plan. We are promised that we will have everything we need for all He has called us to do. We have been forgiven and set free. This is the source of our hope. This is our security. This is why, in spite of our weaknesses and failures, we can walk in holy confidence today."

Leave a comment for Holley: https://incourage.me/?p=249451
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This Christmas, prepare your heart and home with Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas — a beautiful keepsake magazine from DaySpring. Simply Jesus contains scripture, devotions, articles — every page will help you prepare for Christmas. Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or wherever you buy magazines.

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"If that isn't enough, Scripture goes on to say that we are redeemed, delivered, set free. We are righteous and made in His image. We are new creations who now have friendship with God. We are no longer bound by shame. We have peace, joy, and hope in Him. He has good plans for us. We are no longer condemned. We have eternal life."

Leave a comment for Karina: https://incourage.me/?p=249716
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This Christmas, prepare your heart and home with Simply Jesus: The Heart of Christmas — a beautiful keepsake magazine from DaySpring. Simply Jesus contains scripture, devotions, articles — every page will help you prepare for Christmas. Pick up a copy today on DaySpring.com or wherever you buy magazines.

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

In this episode of the (in)courage podcast, host Becky Keife speaks with author Shruthi Parker about her book, Living Open-Handed: Devotions for Surrendering Control and Finding Joy in the Unexpected. They discuss the challenges of motherhood, unexpected trials, and the grace found in surrendering control to God. Shruthi shares her personal journey of facing trials, including her daughter's diagnosis and her husband's health challenges, and how these experiences have deepened her faith and understanding of joy.

Takeaways

• Surrendering control is a continuous journey, not a one-time event.
• Trials can be seen as God's grace in our lives.
• Finding joy in unexpected circumstances is possible through faith.
• Community support is crucial during difficult times.
• Prayer is a vital part of the surrendering process.
• Grief and joy can coexist in our lives.
• God's promises ring true every day, not just in good times.

Life is full of ups and downs. We have an idea of what’s good for us — but it doesn’t always match God’s plans for us. How do we learn to trust God’s timing, provision, plans, and perspective when we’re dealing with the unexpected?

Author Shruthi Parker has some words to say about that! Her new book, Living Open-Handed: Devotions for Surrendering Control and Finding Joy in the Unexpected, invites readers to surrender control to God’s all-sustaining power and His very good will as they discover how to appreciate the ins and outs and ups and downs that life brings.

Order your copy of Living Open-Handed, and leave a comment on the featured excerpt shared earlier this week for a chance to WIN a copy: https://incourage.me/?p=249447

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"Heaven is not a fairytale ending that only exists in storybooks or a man-made silver lining. Heaven is real and fixing our hope on the restoration to come completely changes our experience in the waiting."

Leave a comment for Becky: https://incourage.me/?p=249705
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Celebrate gratitude this season with DaySpring’s inspirational décor, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings! Gather, give thanks, and celebrate around a table set with grace and gratitude. Browse the Mary & Martha Home collection, now available at dayspring.com – and use code PODCAST10 to save $10 on your purchase!

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"As with any ordinary day, God is the One who makes holy the messy, the mundane, the magical, and the mystery. The only right way to go about the holidays is the same way we go about any other ordinary day — we invite God into our every moment. As with any other ordinary day, we make a humble home for God in the messy, mundane manger of our hearts. In our rising and our falling, in our coming and our going, in our laughing and our weeping, in our celebrating and our seeking, we focus on God, forever."

Leave a comment for Rachel: https://incourage.me/?p=249551
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Celebrate gratitude this season with DaySpring’s inspirational décor, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings! Gather, give thanks, and celebrate around a table set with grace and gratitude. Browse the Mary & Martha Home collection, now available at dayspring.com – and use code PODCAST10 to save $10 on your purchase!

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!

"Jesus didn't beat around the bush when we said, "As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13: 34-35 NIV). Sharing your perspective that another may disagree with can certainly be done in a loving way. On the other hand, prioritizing being "right" over maintaining a good relationship with someone is usually not a loving approach. Our motive makes the difference."

Leave a comment for Kristen: https://incourage.me/?p=249523
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Celebrate gratitude this season with DaySpring’s inspirational décor, perfect for Thanksgiving gatherings! Gather, give thanks, and celebrate around a table set with grace and gratitude. Browse the Mary & Martha Home collection, now available at dayspring.com – and use code PODCAST10 to save $10 on your purchase!

The (in)courage podcast is brought to you by DaySpring. For over 50 years, DaySpring has created quality cards, books, and gifts that help you live your faith. Find out more at DaySpring.com.

Connect with (in)courage:

• Facebook & Instagram for daily encouragement, videos, and more!
• Website for the (in)courage library, to meet our contributors, and to access the archives.
• Email us at incourage@dayspring.com.

Leave a podcast review on Apple!