October Recs | God is working in his people
I had a conversation this week where I had to humble myself and ask for forgiveness.
Hey friend,
I had a conversation this week where I had to humble myself and ask for forgiveness. It turned into a redemptive conversation in many ways but one thing I can’t stop thinking about is the goodness of the Lord in how he continues to grow his people.
Sometimes we decide in our minds that someone is beyond change. Maybe it’s a pastor who hurt you or a family member who went in a harmful direction. A good question we can ask ourselves is, are we leaving room in our hearts for belief that God can change the hearts of others? Or do we assume he won’t?
After all, if he can change our hard hearts (because we all have hard hearts at some point or another), how prideful is it to believe he can’t change those around us?
One way we can cultivate a heart that remembers God is at work in redeeming and reconciling is to pray. Pray for that pastor to see his error and repent, pray for your friend to come back to the Lord, pray for God to open the eyes of your stubborn child. And pray for yourself, that God would sanctify you too.
“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
What a promise!
—Brittany
These words though:
“Mariners tell us that there are some parts of the sea where there is a strong current upon the surface going one way, but that down in the depths there is a strong current running the other way. Two seas do not meet and interfere with one another, but one stream of the water on the surface is running in one direction and another below in an opposite direction.
Now, the Christian is like that. On the surface there is a stream of heaviness rolling with dark waves. But down in the depths there is a strong under-current of great rejoicing that is always flowing there.” — Charles Haddon Spurgeon
In honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss awareness month, I wanted to share six truths I want you to know if you are walking through miscarriage:
Regardless of when your loss occurred, your baby has intrinsic value and is worthy of your tears.
God will bring good from your grief but the loss of your baby is not good.
You need God’s Word in your grief.
When the words of others wound you, God holds you.
Your Good Shepherd is ever-near, grieving your baby with you.
One day, Jesus will heal every broken thing and wipe away every single tear.
Recent Articles, Essays, + Poems:
The Crushing Weight of a Wrong Identity on Core Christianity
A Pure Heart in a World of Passions: The Seventh Commandment on Core Christianity
The Bravery of Being Known on Substack
That Time I Hid in a Beer Cave on Substack
From the Archives:
The Miscarriage Years on the blog
Note: I do not endorse any of the following books, nor do I agree with or promote everything in them.
Books I Finished:
How to Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key
Oof. This one was engaging and gut-wrenching and sometimes funny. But I found it disturbing to see the author glory in so much worldliness as a man who proclaims Christ.
Beautiful Freedom by Stacy Reaoch
This book met me right where I am—struggling with my aging and changing body. It was convicting and encouraging.
Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf
I’ve read a few thrillers from this author and I have enjoyed all of them. I gave this one four stars.
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? by Chris Morphew
This short book is part of the Big Questions series published by the Good Book Company. They are written for kids/tweens aged 9–13 but I found it so helpful and encouraging.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Man, this book had my brain in a chokehold. I couldn’t stop trying to figure it out. And then the author throws in a twist that is just so genius. However, there is a lot of language and some pages I skipped over that were headed in a sexually explicit direction.
Current Reads:
Saved by Nancy Guthrie
He Gives More Grace by Sarah Walton and Kinda Green
Upon Waking by Jackie Hill Perry
A Quiet Mind to Suffer With by John Andrew Bryant
What I Recommend:
Song: Make it Through by Leanna Crawford (This song just puts me in a good mood)
Children’s Book: Arlo and the Keep-Out Club by Betsy Childs Howard
Articles, Poems, and Essays I Liked:
Help! I’m Afraid of Change! by Ashley Anthony
Playing Through Grief by Brianna Lambert
What I’m loving lately (*some affiliate links):
- I needed a band for my apple watch that was a little nicer than the sporty ones I usually wear. This gold chain band is classic and simple and I am obsessed.
- I’ve wanted these socks since last winter and I finally decided to go for it. Little smileys, no regrets.
- You know that red ballet shoe trend? Well, I’m all in. I found these beauties for $25 at TJ Maxx. Nordstrom sells them too but maybe you’ll get lucky and find them at your local TJ Maxx.
- I made Theo’s birthday cake last month using this vegan chocolate cake recipe and everyone loved it.
Life Lately:
One last picture to commemorate this summer’s flowers. So sad to see the season end.
Theo turned five in September which just feels insane to me. I made his cake and hated every second of it if I’m being honest. But, it turned out well at least. It was worth it to see how excited he was.
Got to see the auroras the other night. So beautiful.
Fall garden clean-up is in session. These are to tubers I bug up this week. I;m hoping to store them and plant next year. Also, peep our caterpillar Clark in his chrysalis. Can’t wait to see him as a butterfly next spring.
I’d love to hear about you! What is a book you’ve read recently that you loved or a recipe you’ve been devouring? Tell me in the comments!
May you treasure Christ ever more. <3
Brittany Lee
"But, it turned out well at least." WHAT. That cake is amazing!
That cake is so impressive, Brittany! I do well if I can bake one that doesn't crack in the middle.
This is not a new recipe per se, but I've finally mastered the art of sourdough bread after a ten months of trial and error! I've been baking a fresh loaf every single week for the past month. It's been so nice to have fresh, homemade bread on hand!