Tag: praying

Tending to Our Relationship with God

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” (1 Chron. 16:11)

A few months ago, I planted a variety of flowers in containers and some vegetables in raised beds. I made sure to plant each flower and veggie in partial sun. When I’ve planted in direct sunlight in the past, even those varieties that say they can be planted in full sun wither and die in the brutal Oklahoma heat.

After an unseasonably cool and wet spring, my plants took off, with the flowers nearly bursting out of their containers. The unseasonably cool temperatures continued into the summer, and even though we’ve had plenty of hot and humid days, the cooler temperatures combined with lots of rain and shade have led to my garden flourishing in a way I haven’t seen in years. Continue reading “Tending to Our Relationship with God” →

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Do everything without grumbling or arguing. (Phil. 2:14)

I scurried into my office and pushed the door shut behind me. In my hurry, I didn’t make sure it caught. There was a slight gap between the door and the frame—just wide enough for a curious Yorkie to stick her nose through. As I connected to the Zoom meeting, I heard snuffling, and the door swung open as Lilly ambled in.

She walked in a circle, ran to the door, and skidded to a stopped. She turned and stared at me, trying to communicate telepathically. I tried to focus on the discussion on the screen, but Lilly’s pacing distracted me. Suddenly, I realized the problem—she had gotten in, but the door wasn’t open wide enough for her to get out.

I opened the door, and she scampered out without another glance. She had gotten what she wanted—to be in the same room with me—but once she got it, she decided she would rather be in the room she had just vacated. Continue reading “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” →

The Darkest Days

Posted on by Staci Mauney

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help (Ps 22:24).

In Oklahoma, we usually have a deep cold snap about this time of year. It was right on time this year, and it’s so deep and long it’s breaking records. In fact, we’re still in the middle of it. As someone who suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), I’m worn out by time February comes along. January drags, but the dreary, gray days of February take their toll as winter tightens its grip before finally giving way to spring.

During cold, dismal February, grief feels like it’s compounded. Not only are we dealing with a stretch of eleven days without sunshine (or maybe thirteen—but who’s counting?), but we’re also still dealing with the impact of the global pandemic. Continue reading “The Darkest Days” →

Praying the Psalms for Encouragement

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” (Ps 39:7)

My spiritual discipline for 2020 is prayer, and what a year of prayer it has been! From global issues like COVID-19 to national issues such as racial disparities and the election to personal issues like community, I’m learning to “pray continually” (1 Thess 5:17). But sometimes, situations are overwhelming, and words are hard to find. When that happens, I use prayer prompts I find online or in a Bible study plan. Often those prompts are from the Psalms. Continue reading “Praying the Psalms for Encouragement” →

Changing Our Shells

Posted on by Staci Mauney
Cricket the Hermit Crab
Photo courtesy of Casey Witvoet

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor 5:17)

Have you ever watched a hermit crab change shells? My best friend, Casey, raises hermit crabs, and has described the elaborate process to me. Hermit crabs will approach a new shell, spin it around, and examine it to make sure it doesn’t have any holes in it. Then, they stick their heads and legs inside to examine the interior and see if it’s smooth. If they like it, they will climb out of their old shell and into the new one. If it doesn’t fit quite right, they will come out of it and put their old shell back on. Continue reading “Changing Our Shells” →