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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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When You Wonder Who You Would Have Been

The Long Prayer of Motherhood

Daughters of the Day

Hope for the Hard Days

Free Bird, Caged Song

Valley of Blessing

The Ministry of Hard Things

Surviving on a Diet of Prayer and Tears

God Has No Grandchildren

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This time last year, I was 11 days into what was s

This time last year, I was 11 days into what was supposed to be a one-month sugar fast. After going a little sideways on the holiday sugar the previous month, I decided to re-center & nix the sugar for January 2020.
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Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
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Never did I intend to make this a lifestyle, it just sort of chose me. When I got to February & saw all the valentine candy, knowing my affinity for those dang chewy cinnamon and cherry hearts, it only seemed right to continue my fast another month.
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But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
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But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
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So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
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Friend, who do you want to be this time next year? Whatever that goal is that feels big & daunting, I’m here to tell you that—you can do it!
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What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
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Show up for her! Change is rarely comfortable & easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth it, or that you’re not worthy of it, my friend.
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We can get so busy with life & family & ministry that we forget to show up for ourselves. It’s not selfish to remember your goals & dreams, friend. Allow those seeds God planted to instinctively guide you as you baby-step your way to success.
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And, if you’ve already fallen off the wagon with your new-year goals, no worries! It’s okay! Brush yourself off, give yourself grace, and begin anew! You’ll be glad you did this time next year!
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You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
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#showup #youvegotthis #newyeargoals #goals #resolutions #change #2021 #newyearnewyou #mindovermatter #showupforyourself #nevertoolatetostart #believe #faith #babysteps #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #amwritjng #writersofinstagram #allthingsarepossible #withgod #believeinyourself #trustgod #onedayatatime

Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, th

Sone seasons of our stories are so challenging, they invest themselves into who we become, leaving a clear before and after in their dust.
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We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
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Whatever the hurts of our lives, our meandering minds aren’t shy about chasing illusions, wondering who we would have been had certain chapters been absent from our stories.
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How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
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But friend, time and again Scripture reveals the Lord’s delight in using broken people, shaping what “would have been” into something full of purpose and abundance.
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Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
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Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
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— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
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#proverbs31ministries #butgod #beautyforashes #sorrow #pain #struggle #brokenness #scars #rejection #tragedy #purpose #hope #grace #glory #redemption #compassion #wisdom #wouldacouldashoulda #imperfect #godsglory #amwriting #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #hope #peace #comfort

Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure

Such a lovely study for a fresh year of adventure with God.
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The Lord has done amazing work in my life in the area of fear, but even still, it continues to be a stronghold in my life at times. What about you, friend?
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I encourage you to check out this beautiful new study by @katymccown . Together May we step into 2021 armed with tools & truth to smile without fear!
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Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
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#bookrelease #readersofinstagram #fear #faith #biblestudy #womenintheword #smile #trust #study #quiettime #shesmileswithoutfear #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #god #beautyforashes #reader #amreading #faithfulgod #nofear #nofearnewyear

As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but

As the sun sets on 2020, my mind can’t help but wander to all the loved ones we walked into this year with, who we’ll sadly not walk out with.
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Praying for all who are grieving today. May God meet us in 2021 with joy in unexpected places, and heal our hearts as only He can.
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Happy New Year, friend. I’m so thankful for you! May His favor rest upon your home in 2021. 🥰
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#grief #godisincontrol #hope #joy #happynewyear #faith #2021 #itllbeokay #trust #walkon #beautyforashes #greatisthyfaithfulness #faithfulgod #amwriting #writersofinstagram #love #ministry #influence #leadership #heartache #brokenness #believe #hecares #hisways #trusthim #life

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