I haven’t written in a while, and honestly, it shows. That long gap between posts is not an accident.
Writing just hasn’t been a priority—I’ve been walking through a season of difficult things. A season of hard.
Relationships are hard.
Parenting is hard.
Working is hard.
Homeschooling is hard.
Friendships are hard.
Going to church is hard.
Taking care of my family, my house, the puppy (ugh)—and myself—is hard, too.
I’ve always wanted my writing to encourage others, but this season hasn’t exactly been overflowing with encouragement to give.
Imagine a cup that runs over. When it overflows with beauty and blessings, we’re eager to show it off.
But in this season of hard, the overflow hasn’t been as lovely—and I’ve found myself quietly trying to mop up the mess, hoping no one sees the spill.
In a world that constantly puts its best foot forward (looking at you, Instagram and Facebook), we’ve been trained to believe that only the good is worth sharing.
So I’m here, writing to you—not because I have something polished or profoundly encouraging to say—but simply to let you know: if you’re in a season of hard, I’ll sit with you in it.
If your cup is overflowing with more bitter than sweet, you won’t need to grab a napkin to absorb it before anyone sees.
If your eyes are too blurry with tears to even see the cup—that’s okay. Let them fall. You can cry with me.
And if you’ve read this far, I hope you’ll sit with me while I share a few things that get me through my hard days.
1. I’m Determined Not to Let Bad Thoughts Win
We all have them. Some days they are louder than others:
“I’m not good enough.”
“My kids deserve better.”
“Everything is my fault.”
“I must not be trying hard enough.”
“You’re not doing it right.”
“Someone else is doing it better.”
Somewhere along the way, I heard someone say:
“Never speak to yourself differently than you would to a friend.”
If a friend is hurting, you wouldn’t say, “I think you aren’t trying hard enough.”
You’d put your arm around her and say, “Anyone can see you’re doing the best you can. You’ve got this.”
Ephesians 6 tells us to have “your loins girt about with truth.” Many people call this the belt of truth. Of all the important pieces of armor, I doubt I would have listed that one at the top. But God does. It’s what holds things together.
God is not just teaching us here that we shouldn’t lie. It’s that we prepare for battle by surrounding ourselves with truth.
And sometimes the battleground is your own mind.
So when I hear the voice that says, “You just failed again,” I remember:
“A just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.”
— Proverbs 24:16
2. I Put One Foot in Front of the Other (Literally)
Sometimes I get stress-paralyzed. Piles of laundry, unfinished projects, and an ever-growing to-do list can make it impossible to move.
So I go outside and walk around. Sometimes I just pace in the yard. Sometimes it’s a walk around the block. Sometimes it’s a couple of miles.
Moving helps my mind.
Then I can start a load of laundry. Grade a few papers. Answer some emails. I just make progress.
Is it ever enough?
No, not really. But it’s better than the alternative.
And I’m okay with that.
“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
— Proverbs 16:3
3. I Listen to Music
Not much to say here—just know that if you drive by and see me walking with a hand raised and singing at the top of my lungs…
Just keep driving.
I’ve made a playlist for just about every season of life.
Here’s the one I’m playing now:
Listen here
Are You in a Season of Hard? You’re Not Alone
So how about you?
Maybe your cup feels cracked. Maybe it’s overflowing with grief or fear or exhaustion.
Mine is too, some days.
But here’s what I’m learning: God meets us in the overflow—even when it’s messy.
So I’ll keep walking. I’ll keep singing. I’ll keep whispering truth when the lies are loud.
I’ll keep trusting—somewhere deep down—that God is still holding the cup.
Still working.
Still good.
Even in this season of hard.
A Cup That Runs Over 