by Maddie

Have you ever felt like a church sermon was made for you? You know, when the pastor seems to be speaking directly to you?   It’s like God’s giving you a sly wink, reminding you that He knows all of your thoughts, all of your struggles. And that He cares… so much so, that He’s inspired the speaker to say exactly what you needed to hear.  Well, God did that for me this past Sunday.  You see, every Sunday morning, my Bible time focuses on reading Proverbs. I don’t know why, but

Remember last week’s oh it’s so amazing to work outside  post? Well, I have learned something; while the phrase life in abundance  has been on my heart as I’ve rested in the beauty of God’s creation…  Pollen in abundance  is something I am quickly learning to despise.  So no, I am not spending hours outside anymore. Because those lovely hours leave me in a sniffling, itchy-eyed mess.  As I’ve been pondering this dichotomy - finding spiritual solace in the same place that lead

I’ve never been able to write outside before. Or should I say, type outside. It’s always too bright, with the sun casting glares on my screen. However, I am conquering this today. Right now, in fact. Thanks to a new computer and an Ireland-inspired resolve.  In case you’re new here, I just returned from a two-week exploration of Ireland.  In retrospect, I can’t really call it a vacation because it was way too fast-paced to be relaxing (there’s a lot to see, after all!). So, a

This post marks week three of the unofficial Maddie's in Ireland so what are going to read about? series. Don't worry, I'm not gonna leave you hanging. In fact, this post is less of a post and more of a journal entry. You see, I've recently learned that journaling is helpful for me. It get's all one-thousand-and-one thoughts out of my head. So, I'm going to do something weird - I'm going to let you read some of my entries. (I have a point to this, trust me...) Lord, help me.

Update: I am still in Ireland. And you, my faithful readers, are still going to have something to read today. Way before many of you knew me, or this website, I was writing. And painting. And explaining my paintings through writing. So I've selected one of my first blogs (go easy on my writing style and how I break up the paragraphs; a lot's changed in three years), sharing the story behind my artwork. I hope you enjoy Cherish and relate to the story before you... Once upon a

By the time you read this, I will be in Ireland. {Yes, you read that right. And no, this is not some weird clairvoyant, prophesying thing. This is a Maddie plans ahead and writes her blogs in advance thing.} So yeah. I'm on vacation. And will continue to be exploring all that Ireland has to offer until May 24th. Which means that you and I are in a bit of trouble. How are we going to continue our weekly blog posts while I'm off sightseeing? The answer is simple: We will adapt

A few months ago, I decided to read through the Bible. Chronologically. To take my time with it. Go at my own pace. Suffice to say, I'm still in Genesis (which is why I've been writing about Eden and Abraham and today, Sarah}. But before we get into Sarah, the stressed-out elderly mom-to-be, I have a fun fact for you... With God, names are important. He changed Abram to Abraham (meaning father of many nations ), Saul to Paul, and many more. Including Sarah. Abraham's wife was

Yesterday I was this close to losing my dad. In the many bustling aisles of Giant. After church.  You see, my mom and I were in the medicine aisle and Dad was sent elsewhere. Mom announced our rendezvous point… but he did not hear it.  For the next ten minutes, we scoured the aisles, giggling at the absurdity of it all; we had a lost dad in the supermarket! But what made it even crazier was that, not an hour before, our pastor preached on us being lost sheep. Wandering off.

What do you do when life seems dark? I ask because, for the past month or so, I've been on a journey of experimenting with my anxiety medication. And well, let's just say that there have been some depressing side effects... That have ultimately led me back to the medicine I started with. But, this season of mental anguish (not exaggerating here; it's weird when a pill makes you euphoric one moment and then depressed the next) has made me learn a lot more about fighting fear.

Do you ever feel like God is calling you to do something? For me, He urged me to start running. Outside. In public. Waayyy outside of my comfort zone. But I just did it, today, for the first time. God wanted me to face my fears (because I had been talking about doing this for a while) and well, I finally decided to walk (more like jog) in faith. I mention this little anecdote because a) I literally just got back so I’m all hyped-up and excited, but more importantly, b) it see

Do you know the first time that afraid is used in the Bible? Genesis 3. After the fall, where Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit, obviously. And it is here, where fear was birthed, that will be our focus today. After eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, Adam and Eve learn that they are naked, feel shame for the first time ever, and hide in the underbrush that now clothes them... because they hear God coming. “Where are you?”  He calls.   Adam’s reply is wher

This week is different, special. Because yesterday was different and oh-so special. In honor of Easter and our Savior's sacrifice, I thought it would be nice to share a poem... About the beginning. When all was pure. Until it wasn't. As you read, think about God's master plan, His redemption plan, rescue mission. And thank Jesus, our ultimate Rescuer, for becoming our way home. "Eve”   Eve Is what   I am     He says   I used to be     Nothing Enshrouded in darkness Cool and c

Chemicals are powerful. There. That’s it; that’s the blog post for this week (I’m kidding, of course). But truth be told, I’m not in the best of moods to be writing right now. Why? You guessed it - chemicals.  But I’m not just talking about the random chemicals that we interact with in our daily lives. No. I’m talking about medical chemicals. The pills and capsules and syrups and all that good stuff.  Because two weeks ago, I started taking a new medication. A type of SSRI, t

I have spent the last hour editing a YouTube video. For myself. My channel . To show my painting process (what is this life?! How do I, little old Maddie, have a handy dandy YouTube handle?).  I’m telling you this because a) you should check it out and (far more importantly), b) this is your reminder to marvel.  And no, I’m not talking about the superhero movies. I mean marvel … at all God is doing. All He has done. In your life, and in the lives around you.  A couple days

This blog post has no big idea. No message. No grand conclusion that aims to inspire and invigorate you. Because truth be told, I have no clue what to write about.  Sure, there’ve been things on my mind this week. And I could write about any of them, technically. The rainy, dreary weather. The aching for spring and sunlight. The stress management. The lessons from babysitting. The progress on my art and books.  But alas, we are left with nothing. I just don’t feel inspired th

When things don’t go my way, I do not handle it well. Like today, I had this nice blog post planned; we were going to talk about rest... and babies. I was going to tell you about this toddler I babysit and how God is teaching me  all about  sleep and its importance. Because this poor eighteen-month-old baby has been teething for the past few weeks. And has a cough.  So sleep? Yeah, he’s certainly been deprived of it.  And let me tell you, if you spend just five minutes with a

Have you ever had an  aha  moment? When everything suddenly just clicked? I’ve had two lately, so of course, I want to share them with you!  Okay, so number one…  You know how I like to paint? If you don't, you better check out the rest of this website; my love for art is pretty obvious.  (Sorry, was that too sassy for you? I’ve been hanging out with a toddler all day; I think her spunk has worn off on me.) Anyway. Painting. Yes, I like to do that. And draw. And photograph st

I lost someone this week. For privacy’s sake, I will not share her name. But I will share what I called her: Dawn.  Because she was so joyful. Because whenever I saw her, I couldn’t help but feel like I was basking in the sun’s morning rays. She was a true light of the Lord.  Dealing with death is never an easy thing, especially when it is unexpected or too early.  In my mind, Dawn had decades to go. She had young grandkids to play with and grown children to encourage and cou

Do you have a problem with change? I know I do.  Even now, as I’m writing this, it's hard to switch over from Designer Maddie (I’m trying to make a Handiworks business card) to Writer Maddie. So if I drift off and start writing about font sizes and centering images and a bunch of digital mumbo-jumbo…  Well, you can’t snap me out of it. Because you are not here with me as I’m writing this. But you are my faithful readers, to whom I am grateful. (Don’t worry, Writer Maddie will

God spoke to me through a street lamp today (sounds weird, I know).  I was driving through the early-morning mist when a red light stopped me in my tracks. And my gosh, I felt like I was waiting forever . As the impatience and the oh no, I might be late!  stress started rising, something caught my eye.  It was a tall street lamp that hung over the traffic lights. And it was flickering. On and off, light and dark. And I was instantly mesmerized.  Now, in my daily life, I don’t