Anticipation

This post was originally published in my newsletter, Staci Mauney, Author, on August 10, 2018.

“Therefore, you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Mt 24:44)

I stayed at my parents’ house recently while they went to visit my brother and his wife in Georgia. Lilly watched the door faithfully, and any noise from that direction of the house caused her to run as quickly as possible to see what was happening. She waited in anticipation for my parents to come through the door, and when they didn’t, she would go back to her spot on the couch, her eyes trained on the door, believing they would come through at any moment. Continue reading “Anticipation”

41 Acts of Kindness in 41 Days: My Birthday Challenge

“But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live…” (1 Sam 20:14)

In a previous blog post, I wrote about how I will turn 41 this month. I’ve challenged myself to complete forty-one acts of kindness in the forty-one days leading up to my birthday. My goal was to find as many things to do that didn’t cost money (or a minimal amount) as I could. Instead, I focused on things that took time or an effort to make a connection with someone. Continue reading “41 Acts of Kindness in 41 Days: My Birthday Challenge”

The Road Trip

The Road Trip

Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? 16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge? (Job 37:15-16)

The hot days of summer bring back memories of childhood vacations: riding in the car for hours, listening to my brother sing Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA,” declaring war on my brother for crossing the invisible boundary separating us in the backseat, exploring the wonders of the West, and having adventures with family in Nevada. Continue reading “The Road Trip”

Growing Through Fear and Rejection

This post was originally published on June 25, 2017.

“…may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God…” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

When I was a sophomore in college, I changed my major from accounting to English for two reasons: 1). I hated accounting and at 19 just couldn’t imagine working with numbers for the rest of my life; and 2) I loved words and wanted to be a writer. After graduation, I pursued several jobs as a writer, but most of those jobs were far from home. So instead of becoming a full-time writer, I began working in government and nonprofit positions where I used my writing and presentation skills. I then pursued writing part time. Continue reading “Growing Through Fear and Rejection”

41 Days to 41

“But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live…” (1 Sa 20:14)

After my fortieth birthday last year, I learned about something called 40 days to 40 in which you pick a theme and do one thing each day to fit that theme for the forty days leading up to your birthday. Since I missed out on doing it last year, I decided to do it this year, even though it’s not a milestone year. Every birthday is one to be celebrated, and each day is one for which to be thankful. This year, I’m doing 41 acts of kindness to 41. I’ll complete forty-one acts of kindness – at least one per day. I started the challenge on July 3. Continue reading “41 Days to 41”