• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

The Weight of the Wait

Shuffling through my small Kentucky kitchen, I flipped the calendar page. October 2008 — new month of the year, same cry of my heart.

Time was younger then, and so were we. We’d moved a lot, and while I believe those years of wandering were part of God’s plan, I longed to feel at home…somewhere. We’d had happy times; there wasn’t an absence of joy. But my heart craved home.

That October day, we had a house for sale in one state while living in another. Life was less than settled, and I was less than patient.

Weary and spent, I lifted the calendar page to expose a new month — more time that wouldn’t cooperate with the longing of my heart.  Join us over at Proverbs 31 to continue reading…

Click to continue reading…



<a href="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/chasing-community/"><img  src="http://brendabradfordottinger.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Linkup-button.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="250" /></a>

It’s a casual, pony-tail & sandals environment around here, but a few important reminders:

  • Please remember to visit and leave some encouragement for other friends who’ve linked-up today — this is the heart of community & your words of support could be just the thing another friend needs to hear today.
  • Please only share like-minded words of spiritual encouragement and insight.
  • Please grab the #ChasingCommunity button, or link back here underneath your post. (So others can find us and join the fun too!)
  • By linking up & leaving your email address you agree to receive #ChasingCommunity updates.

Thank you for bringing your dish to the table–May your ministry of words find community here.

Ministry+Friends=Fun. I’m linking up today with my friends at #ChasingCommunity. Come join us!
Tweet This
 Loading InLinkz ...

12 Comments

Thanks for the Company!

Subscribe to receive updates and 15 lovely printables created just for YOU!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

« Heaven’s Boy
Be (Un)impressive »

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    December 28, 2017 at 6:29 am

    So glad your heart has found its home in Jesus — heading over to read at P 31.
    Blessings, Brenda!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 28, 2017 at 3:55 pm

      ♥♥♥ I pray the Lord blesses you as well, friend.

      Reply
  2. Debby says

    December 28, 2017 at 7:58 am

    You’re singing one of my heart songs that seems to be on repeat. No, we will never find place or peace in the temporal, only the eternal. Thank you for your words today. Wise reminders as we turn another calendar page.

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 28, 2017 at 3:56 pm

      Only the eternal…amen, friend. Thanks for sharing, Debby. ♥

      Reply
  3. Sarah Geringer says

    December 28, 2017 at 8:16 am

    Loved your devo, Brenda! Congratulations!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 28, 2017 at 3:56 pm

      Thanks for your sweet encouragement, friend. ♥

      Reply
  4. Paris Renae says

    December 28, 2017 at 9:08 am

    Congratulations on P31 publishing 🙂 Great job!

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 28, 2017 at 3:57 pm

      Your encouragement blesses my heart, friend. ♥

      Reply
  5. misty says

    December 28, 2017 at 8:55 pm

    Loved your devotion, Brenda! Esps my friend. Especially, the last line so powerful. Congrats my friend! Blessings to you in the New Year! <3 Misty

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 30, 2017 at 10:26 am

      Praying so many blessings for you in the new year as well, friend. Thank you for all your encouragement this year. ♥

      Reply
  6. Maree Dee says

    December 29, 2017 at 11:21 am

    I am leaving a duplicate comment here as well as what I left at P31. I wanted you to know how much your words spoke to me this morning.

    Brenda, You have no idea how timely your words are to me. I have tears streaming down my face as this is exactly what I needed to hear. I went to bed last night longing for home, friends, and what I thought my life would like. I know I am right where God wants me, but somehow over the last few days, I have gotten hung up with longing when I needed to just abide with him. He is with me. Thank you, my beautiful friend, for your words. Blessings, Maree

    Reply
    • Brenda says

      December 30, 2017 at 10:29 am

      This makes my heart smile, Maree. Thank you for sharing that. Prayers for you, friend. I know the longing well. May we continue to find all the Home our hearts need — in Him. Happy New Year, Maree. ♥

      Reply

Leave a Reply to misty Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Tags

(In)Courage But God Callings Children Control Faithfulness Family Fear Fill in the Blank Freedom Friendship Giveaway God Graceful Guest Posts Home Hope If My People Inclusion Marriage Motherhood Nature P31 Pain Photographs Prayer Proverbs 31 Ministries Purpose Quotes Racism Rejection Rest Seasons Sisterhood Surrender Teens
  • Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

From the Author

I am a member of COMPEL Training Encouragement for Today Badge She Speaks

Let’s Connect!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Thanks for the company!

Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.

Modern translation: It’s okay to stay in your la Modern translation: It’s okay to stay in your lane!
.
It doesn’t matter what God’s got the ones around you doing. No matter where He’s placed you in ministry—make no mistake, God’s the One growing the seeds.
.
Freedom abounds in knowing it’s not about us, right?!
.
Friend, your lane is important, and God has you in it for a reason. Trust that He’s growing seeds you may never see, all from your faithfulness to your part.
.
Your part matters! 💗
.
.
.
#onebody #kingdomwork #ministry #stayinyourlane #watchgodwork #hesgotthis #bible #scripture #amwriting #leadership #influence #trust #hope #bettertogether #writersofinstagram #obedience #doyourpart #showup #riseup #makemuchofjesus #itsallaboutjesus #notaboutus #freedom
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.
.
Fast forward to January 2021, over 12 months later, and I’m sill sugar free.
.
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.
.
But, in rolled March being all tempting with her candies of Easter, so I continued through April.
.
But, a funny thing happened on the way to May. By May, I didn’t really want sugar anymore. (Mostly.)
.
So, here I am in January 2021 still sugar-free. I’ve lost 34 pounds, and feel so much better.
.
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!
.
What will the “you of January 2022” be thankful to the “you of today” for doing?
.
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.
.
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.
.
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!
.
You’ve got this, friend; I believe in you! 💗
.
.
#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.
.
We hold these moments close, protective of their scars, as they nestle deep within our personalities, affecting the way we view ourselves and others.
.
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.
.
How easily we question whether our insecurities and struggles might be exchanged for confidence & calm had suffering not inked itself upon our yesterdays.
.
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.
.
Nothing is beyond His redeeming reach , sweet friend.
.
Our sorrows aren’t too great for God to find His glory in them.
.
— Read the full devotion & join the conversation over at proverbs31.org today! Meet you there, friend! 💗
.
.
.
#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.
.
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?
.
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!
.
Praying for you, sweet friend. 💗
.
.
.
#bookrelease #readersofinstagram #fear #faith #biblestudy #womenintheword #smile #trust #study #quiettime #shesmileswithoutfear #ministry #leadership #influence #bible #god #beautyforashes #reader #amreading #faithfulgod #nofear #nofearnewyear
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316

Copyright 2020 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in