encouragement, Uncategorized

Embracing Quiet Seasons: A Journey Back to Encouragement

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

Hello again friends,

It’s been quiet here for a little while—and not by accident.

Life has seasons. Some are full of creating, connecting, and pouring out. Others are about rest, reflection, and letting God work in the unseen places. This past season has been one of those quieter times for me. A time to step back, breathe, and listen. Life happens and just needed time for some self care. It has also been a time to reorganize and recharge. Deciding to pause YouTube was not an easy decision.

A now I feel ready to come back.

A sense that it’s time to return—not to the hustle, but to the heart of what I’ve always loved: encouraging others, anchoring in truth, and creating things that point back to hope.

I’m coming back—not with fanfare, but with faith.
And I’ve got something special in the works.

✨ A little project is on the horizon… one that blends creativity, faith, and encouragement in a way I hope will bless you and others. I’ll share more very soon—but for now, I wanted to offer you a small gift as we reconnect:


It features one of my favorite verses:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Print it. Sit with it. Color it slowly with a cup of coffee, a quiet prayer or some worship music.
Maybe even send it to someone who needs to hear they’re not alone.

This little page carries a whisper of what’s coming next.

So stay tuned. Subscribe to the blog or follow along on YouTube and Facebook.
Something beautiful is blooming—and I can’t wait to walk in it with you.

Until then…
Stay anchored. Stay encouraged. Stay hopeful. 🤍

Blessings,
Caryn

Coloring Page

July 25, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Happy Monday! Where is the month of July going? I cannot believe it’s almost August. As time continues to fly, I can’t help but be reminded how urgent it is for us to draw nearer to God every day. We can do that my memorizing scripture.

If these free downloadable coloring pages are helping you memorize scripture, please like and share.

Uncategorized

Is God Fair or is He Gracious?

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

How does it make you feel when you have worked so hard for something only to not achieve it or just fail at it. Perhaps you were working hard for a promotion at work. You stayed late when you had to without complaint, went above and beyond to prove your abilities, you were honest and loyal and someone else who was far less experienced and than you got the promotion. Hardly seems fair.

Maybe all your friends are getting married and having babies and you are having a hard time finding the right guy or girl or experiencing miscarriage after miscarriage. You take care of yourself, eat healthy, exercise, and still no baby. Or maybe it’s your marriage. Your friend’s marriage crumbled but now, they are back together but your marriage seems like there is no hope that any reconciliation is possible. How is this fair? But it happens and God allows it. It seems like the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer. Life just isn’t turning out how you had planned. Sometimes God’s actions clash with what we expect.

Habakkuk saw injustices happening and what appeared to be the evil ones succeeding. Read the book of Habakkuk, it’s only four chapters. In this book, God offers hope, as He always does.

Habakkuk makes no bones about complaining to God and asking questions like, why and how long. Habakkuk had to posture himself before God. Be it on your knees or not, the most important the posture of your heart – humility. Philippians 2:3-8 offers some insight into the posture Jesus had. Habakkuk also had to be patient and wait on God – Psalm 46:10 – this can be hard but so necessary. I sometimes wonder if “being still” means not frantically worrying and worshipping the problem we face, but instead frantically worshipping our Father. How many times does a solution comes to us when we aren’t thinking about it. For me I could be cooking dinner, driving, reading a book, in the middle of writing a blog post or serving Him and God will hit me with the answer to my problem. Most times, that’s how God speaks to me, when I’m not solely thinking about my problem.

God replies to Habakkuk in 1:5; “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told
…”. Then in Chapter 2, verse 2 God tell Habakkuk to write down His answer to warn others. God is telling Habakkuk in verse 3 to wait, wait for what He is going to do. God will make everything right, but we have to wait. We need to continue to have the right posture and be patient.

God’s ways are not our way- Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.” “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” – Psalm 115:3. God is sovereign, He sees the big picture. What appears to be unfair to us now, God is delivering us grace. That can be a hard pill to swallow. Through all the injustices we see now, God sees, He knows what He is doing. We need to have faith and trust Him.

Here’s something to think about, what is the difference between grace and fairness? Leave a comment below, what are your thoughts?

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March 14, 2022 – Ephesians 2:8-9

Memorize Monday, free coloring page – Ephesians 2:8-9 – ‘For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Salvation isn’t by luck or chance, it is a gift from God to everyone. It is a free gift, we do nothing to earn it, we just need to accept it, receive it. God doesn’t force it on us, He gives us a choice, we are free to choose it or accept it.

If you enjoy these free coloring pages please like and share, thank you.

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GRACE

Grace – 1918

In the small mining town of Bovey Minnesota, Charles Wilden approached Eric Enstrom to take a photograph of him. Charles Wilden, was just a salesman selling foot scrapers at the time. Perhaps this encounter was more than just a hapenstance. Enstrom was getting ready to attend a convention of the Minnesota Photographer’s Association at the time and was compiling a portfolio to take with him. This photograph dates back to 1918 and has been shared all over for many decades.

I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for”

For years I thought the book on the table was a Bible. I guess it could be but, according to Enstrom it is just a family book. To complete the composition he added glasses resting on the top of the book, a knife, a bowl of gruel, and a loaf of bread. He then had Wilden bow his head and fold his hands in prayer. It is often said “a picture is worth a thousand words and this photograph seemed to say a lot. This gentleman didn’t have much to speak of but he had a grateful heart. I know it can be hard to be thankful for somethings. But the Bible says to be thankful IN all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (KJV). God’s not asking us to be thankful for all things but in all things. This is also God’s will for us. If you’re struggling to be obedient to God, here’s a simple way to start. Just be thankful. There are so many blessings that come from being obedient to God.

For over 100 years this photograph has been hung in homes, churches and restaurants across America reminding us to give thanks and with a grateful heart. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching why should we wait or limit ourselves to just one day of being grateful for all that God has given us? If you have or had this photo or painting hanging in your home be reminded to be thankful to God. He loves you and has given His all for us.

To read more of the history of this photograph follow the link . Please like and share, thank you.