Tag: walking dog

The Creativity Struggle

Posted on by Staci Mauney

But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jer. 10:12)

My word for the year is “create,” but lately, finding the time or energy to create has been a struggle. I believed God gave me this word because he wanted me to create new things this year. I have two book projects along with numerous small projects to complete. I still believe I’m to create new things, but now I also believe he wants me to learn the best ways to do that and to leave behind projects that don’t help fulfill my mission of reaching people for him with the written word.

When I’m busy, when I’m stressed, my creativity dries up. A migraine or exhaustion results, and I know I have to stop and take care of myself. Rather than hurting my productivity and creativity, taking a break rejuvenates me and gives me the strength I need to finish the project at hand. How quickly I forget this when the pressure of a deadline looms! I would do well to remember it. Continue reading “The Creativity Struggle” →

Living in the Moment

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14).

My Yorkie companion, Lilly, and I go for a walk almost every day. Sometimes, I hurry to get my steps in so that I can get home and go back to work. Other times, I slow down and just enjoy the time with Lilly as she explores every rock and flower along the way. (I’ve written before about how Lilly helps me slow down and enjoy our walks. You can read that post here.)

During the quarantine, I’ve worked to be intentional on our walks—to notice the fresh air, the pretty flowers, the animals cavorting through the neighborhood. This focus has led me to notice some fun things in my neighborhood like the ducks in the water at the pocket park, the squirrel running up the tree beside me, the beautifully landscaped yards, and the abandoned house covered in ivy. Continue reading “Living in the Moment” →

Renewal in the Time of COVID-19

Posted on by Staci Mauney

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Ps 90:12 (NIV)

Due to the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) around the country, we are faced with continued quarantine and isolation. My calendar, which is usually filled to overflowing, is now clear except for a few work deadlines.

Rather than focusing on the negative, I’m looking for silver linings. I’ve become accustomed to finding lessons in everyday situations in order to write posts for this blog. This situation is so extraordinary that I know God has something for me to learn.

One message I’m hearing loud and clear is that I need to be more selective about how I spend my time. That includes taking better care of myself. My word for the year, renew, comes to mind. Continue reading “Renewal in the Time of COVID-19” →

Coping with Anxiety with Lilly Doggins

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:7–10).

Fears surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) rise every day. We’re inundated with the news twenty-four hours a day. Rising death tolls and dire predictions about hospital supplies and the economy keep us on edge. Social distancing, while necessary, leads to isolation and other negative mental health effects.

Like everyone else, I’m experiencing a myriad of emotions right now. One minute I’m calm and focused on the task at hand. The next minute I’m sad about all the loss we’re experiencing right now and worried about family members, friends, and my business. Continue reading “Coping with Anxiety with Lilly Doggins” →

A New Year = A New Start

Posted on by Staci Mauney

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded” (2 Chron 15:7).

The new year is one of my favorite times. All the chatter about goals and productivity and self-improvement fills me up. I carve out time to evaluate my progress on the previous year’s goals, and I use that information to set new goals.

What I learned when looking at 2019 was that I had veered off track on my writing goals, and unfortunately, I didn’t meet a single one.

Even so, 2019 held some valuable lessons. I took a good, hard look at the year: what worked, what didn’t, and more importantly, why. With that information in mind, I set new goals for 2020. Continue reading “A New Year = A New Start” →