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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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Honestly

Ever feel like you’re living on a prayer?

Like you’re listening to God, and feel certain you’re minding your yeses  and noes and maybes…

And yet…

You wonder if you’re the right girl for the job, because you limp into bed each night with the weight of your people and your compassions and your sorrows settled like an elephant on your heart?

Honestly.

Anyone else?

Friend, if that’s you too, may we remind each other today that— it’s okay.

It’s okay to not have it all together every bless’ed moment.

It’s okay to need grace.

It’s okay to be yourself in all your weary brokenness.

Dare I say, preferable even?

You see, others trust what they can relate to.

And, as far as I can tell, in order to make a difference in this world, it’s imperative we gain the trust of others.

So—here’s to being okay with living on a prayer. Tweet This

(Is there a better source? Than prayer?)

If you’re like me, we sometimes forget that the daily  stuff isn’t always supposed to be simple.

And that being human means being tired at times.

Here’s the thing—being tired doesn’t mean we’ve missed God.

His mission for us might just be one of Living on a Prayer.

One of allowing grace its rightful place.

One of being free from the bondage of appearances.

There doesn’t have to be a contradiction, you know?

We can rest in Him and yet be humanly weary.

Have you ever held a sleeping baby in your arms? Pure heaven-on-earth, right?

That’s how I picture God during our weariest of seasons.

Rocking us in His arms. His delight. His joy.

We’re still the sleepy baby. He’s still the strong Protector who understands our humanity and meets us in it with supernatural strength and gentle loving-care.

Take heart—our God knows what it is to be human.

And tired.

And faithful.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their cry. (Psalm 34:15)


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24 Comments

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Comments

  1. Bev @ Walking Well With God says

    March 8, 2018 at 5:23 am

    Hi Brenda,
    Been up all night – colonoscopy day Woohoo! Feeling oh so weary so picturing myself as that tiny babe in the arms of God. Joining you in living on a prayer.
    Blessings,
    Bev xo

    Reply
    • Linda Stoll says

      March 8, 2018 at 6:15 am

      Oh, may today go easier than expected, Bev …

      Hugs.

      Reply
    • Anna Smit says

      March 8, 2018 at 7:27 am

      May you feel His arms around you today, Bev. May you know Him closer than your own breath. May each wave of fear lean you more deeply into His peace. Much love from afar.

      Reply
  2. Liz says

    March 8, 2018 at 5:59 am

    Living on a prayer! Yessssss…. Lately I’ve been feeling a little like the Israelites with God only giving me just enough to get through the next day, the next hour. Thanks for this beautiful encouragment! XO

    Reply
  3. Linda Stoll says

    March 8, 2018 at 6:17 am

    It’s like sometimes we need permission to show our own selves grace and mercy, Brenda …

    You do so bountifully!

    Reply
  4. Anita Ojeda says

    March 8, 2018 at 6:24 am

    What a beautiful word picture—I could just imagine my Father holding me whilst I slumber.

    Reply
  5. Michele says

    March 8, 2018 at 6:34 am

    Brenda, thank you for the beautiful word picture. Grace…why is it hard to allow ourselves to pour on grace over ourselves? Thank you for reminding us in your tender words. Hugs!

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    March 8, 2018 at 7:12 am

    Prayer is our lifeline, and yes it’s OK to need grace! We “grow in grace”. Have a great day, friend!

    Reply
  7. Anna Smit says

    March 8, 2018 at 7:28 am

    So beautiful, Brenda. So encouraging. Thank you for this gift today. Amen!

    Reply
  8. Jill says

    March 8, 2018 at 7:50 am

    Oh Brenda-we are on the same page sister! Thanks for articulating this for so many of us. Your words are a gift and a light today as always. Thanks my friend.

    Reply
  9. Paris Renae says

    March 8, 2018 at 8:00 am

    Love your words today – weary and rocked – right in the safest place to be 🙂

    Reply
  10. Joanne Viola says

    March 8, 2018 at 8:12 am

    Brenda, this post is going to be a favorite of mine! How grateful I am that imperfection and brokenness only means I am human. God understands and comes alongside of us in our weariness. Thank you for hugging us all with your words and heart. xo

    Reply
  11. Maree Dee says

    March 8, 2018 at 8:28 am

    Thank you for your words giving me permission to pause and breathe. “It’s okay to not have it all together” is my motto for the day.

    Reply
  12. Michele Morin says

    March 8, 2018 at 8:53 am

    We’re fond of thinking about the incarnation at Christmas time, but as we ponder the crucifixion and resurrection, this is the time when Jesus’ flesh was wounded for us. Yes, he knows our weakness.
    Thanks, Brenda for all you do!

    Reply
  13. Rachel Lee says

    March 8, 2018 at 10:28 am

    Beautiful and timely message today, Brenda. Boy, have I been feeling the weight of “my people” lately.
    “Free from the bondage of appearances”… YES PLEASE!!! I’ll take a scoop of that, with a side of grace. 😉
    Love this, friend. <3

    Reply
    • Rachel Lee says

      March 14, 2018 at 2:01 pm

      So glad you linked up at #destinationInspiration today, Brenda! I loved this post! I plan to feature it tomorrow. 😉

      Reply
  14. Cheryl says

    March 8, 2018 at 11:18 am

    Brenda, This is such a beautiful post! I loved the mental image of us being a sleepy baby in Jesus’ arms! I needed this so desperately today. Thank you so much for the encouragement, sweet friend! You are such a blessing!

    Reply
  15. Charla says

    March 8, 2018 at 11:43 am

    Brenda! I bet you think I read your post before our conversation this morning 🙂 Nuh-uh. Just read it and am blown away by God’s way with us. From one living-on-a-prayer friend to another, “I’ll see you in the arms of God!”

    Reply
  16. Calvonia Radford says

    March 8, 2018 at 12:54 pm

    Brenda, as a pastor’s wife, mother, grandmother supervisor, I live like that on a daily. It’s emotionally exhausting and spirituality draining. At this very moment I look forward to the bed tonight. Yet, in my weakest moments, I visualize that great big father holding me in his lap rocking me back and forth, back and forth. I sat comfortably in his lap whispering my woes to the only one who can handle them. He is a good, good father. Isn’t he?

    Reply
  17. Misty says

    March 8, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Beautiful words of encouragement here today friend!!

    Reply
  18. BettieG says

    March 8, 2018 at 4:55 pm

    Brenda, Thank you for this beautiful picture of rocking in my Father’s arms. This is so timely, as I just listened to another speaker this afternoon who talked about the Father, Yaweh, just waiting for us to call out to Him and tell Him we need Him! What a good Father we have!

    Reply
  19. Lisa/Syncopated Mama says

    March 8, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    I hope your March is getting off to a super start! Thanks for hosting!

    Reply
  20. Donna Reidland says

    March 10, 2018 at 1:32 pm

    It’s all about His grace, isn’t it? I think anything worth doing is going to require more than we can do in our own strength! Thanks for this timely (always) reminder!

    Reply
  21. Betsy de Cruz says

    March 15, 2018 at 4:07 am

    Thanks for this encouragement, Brenda. I’m usually sliding through on a prayer, so it’s good to remember that is OKAY. <3

    Reply

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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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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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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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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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