Michele Gunn's column Graceful Awakening guides women to grow in faith and deepen their relationship with God while overcoming life's daily challenges.
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Every life has seasons. You often recognize them through change. Some seasons are chosen, some are a natural part of life and others are quite unexpected. People are born, they grow through childhood, become adults and then age until the end of their earthly lives. During those larger seasons are countless smaller ones; relationships, careers, […]
Modern life rewards busyness. It seems that productiveness, even without true fruitfulness, is rewarded. It starts in school. There is an award for perfect attendance. Just showing up allows a child to stand out and be celebrated. Childhood sports has progressed to everyone receiving a participation trophy. As kids age, parents keep their kids busy […]
Here we are. It is August. August often feels like a second New Year. There are so many new things happening. Many new starts for young and old alike. The calendars fill up quickly as new schedules and new activities are added. This can often lead to organized chaos. At first, everything seems unorganized. Then, […]
Many people begin the year with specific goals and hopes for the future. Even though they have great intentions and maybe even great plans, by July (sometimes earlier) some people feel discouraged by unmet expectations. It is important to know that God is not keeping score. You can begin again! After all, you were […]
This week’s column is about renewal, or more directly, reconnecting. This brings to mind Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens.” Of course that just sparks the song, “Turn, Turn, Turn” to run constantly in my mind. That brings me back to seasons and […]
For many people, summer often brings a different rhythm. As a person who likes to stay busy, I, along with many other people, struggle to rest without feeling guilty. Our culture often celebrates busyness making rest feel unproductive. But God in His Divine wisdom, designed rest as part of His plan for human flourishing. […]
For my July series, I will be writing about freedom, rest, renewal and new beginnings. There is no better way to start than celebrating 250 years of America! We are the land of the free and the home of the brave. Today our nation celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration […]
God-given strengths are more than talents. They are the unique combination of your natural abilities, spiritual gifts, personality, experiences, passions and compassion that God uses to accomplish His purposes through you. When you understand your strengths, you stop trying to become someone else and begin faithfully becoming the person God created you to be. Consider […]
Many times, people feel weak because they just don’t understand who they were created to be. They are waiting for something magical to happen so that their goals and dreams can finally come to fruition. But God has other plans. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reflects this, “but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for […]
Father’s Day is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the third Sunday of June every year. This Father’s Day celebration in the United States is used as a time to thank fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, and other male role models for their love, guidance and support. As the world redefines the roles […]