Joyfully Thriving

Grace-Filled Frugal Living

When You Long to Be More Than Just Making It

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Are you frustrated by your finances? There is hope, especially if you long to be more than just making it. Here's some encouragement just for you!

The longer I live on a budget, the more I realize how difficult it can be. I've had some very open and honest conversations with different friends over the past couple months. It's amazing how quiet we keep about our finances and at first, I was surprised by some of these revelations. But then, these conversations caused me to really think. Please note, I believe there is a lot of good in privacy with our finances. I'm traditional in that regard and believe it is also good stewardship. I don't share a lot of specific numbers on my blog because I don't want to cause others to struggle with … Read More...

When You Feel Alone on Mother’s Day

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Mother's Day can be hard, for so many of us women! I needed to read this reminder that I'm not alone on Mother's Day - or any day!

Mother's Day can be a joyful day but it can also be an emotional one. We, as women, know that fact well. We all carry motherhood baggage, some that is known and other bits that we hide. I've been thinking a lot about those of us who feel alone on Mother's Day - or any day, for that matter. Sometimes our own situation feels so isolating, we focus only on the pain of moment. I know Mother's Day is one of those hard days for many people and many reasons. For me, there were years of singleness when I doubted I would get married. I felt alone on those Mother's Days. Then, when I was married, … Read More...

Choose Joy

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This started out as a serious post and then I had one of those crazy days that all of you moms (especially you moms of little ones) know well. The day started out uneventfully. Sure, the kids didn't sleep great the night before but oh well. I had big plans for our day today. Soon, the day started to unwind before it had barely started. I won't go into lots of detail but there was screaming, whining, fussiness - and sadly, not all of it was from the kids. By nap time, I was worn out. I was tired of asking Nathan to clean up his toys and not push your baby sister. I was tired of holding … Read More...

Thanksgiving Day

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A Thanksgiving Day Prayer - We are called to be thankful each and every day, so this is my Thanksgiving Day Prayer.

Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:1 Today is a day for thanksgiving. Today is a day to give thanks to God. We are called to be people of thanksgiving - today and every day of our lives. Thanksgiving is not just today. It is not just the fourth Thursday of November. It is every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year. God has given us so much! In the words of George Herbert, may our Thanksgiving Day prayer be this. "Give me one more thing - a grateful heart." May our hearts overflow with … Read More...

When You Feel Like You Don’t Measure Up

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The comparison game. We all play it. Does any of the following sound familiar? (Hint: Fill in 'before me' or 'better than me' to see exactly what I mean.) She got married first. She got pregnant without even trying. She dresses more stylishly. She lost the baby weight faster. She gets to stay home with her kids. She has a better paying job. Her house is cleaner. Her house is bigger. Her children sleep through the night. Her kids are better behaved. She is more organized. She cooks from scratch more. She saves with coupons. She doesn't have to watch every penny. She runs a successful … Read More...

Most Important Work

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A couple weeks ago, I saw a picture on Instagram that instantly touched my heart. It was a wall hanging that said, "The most important work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." Questions flooded through my mind instantly. Why have I never heard this quote before? What better reminder is there for a mom than this? Where could I get this print for my house? I loved this quote because it was a perfect reminder for me in this season of my life. Being a wife and mom is my privilege, my responsibility and (in very Lutheran terms) my vocation. Faith formation starts at … Read More...

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