• Home
  • Welcome
  • Blog

Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

in Uncategorized

Surviving on a Diet of Prayer and Tears

Slumping deep into his chair at a corner table for two, he ate waffle fries alone on a holiday evening.

The sun laid down quietly in the window behind him as snowy hair fell against a face that spilled secrets of sorrow. Vacant eyes and a somber spirit caught my heart.

The people-watcher in me wondered about his story; I was curious why his face wore a leathery shade of pain on a day reserved for joy. Who were his people, and where were they tonight? Most importantly, I wondered, did he know the One who heals broken hearts? 

My meal grew cold as appetite deferred to compassion. I might have stared.

They say it takes one to know one, and that night, while the world around us was a blur of festivity, I sat across from the mirror of a man who seemed familiar with a burden or two — just like me.

Please join us at Proverbs 31 Ministries to continue reading, friend…

Leave a Comment

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.

« God Has No Grandchildren
The Ministry of Hard Things »

Leave a Reply 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Your email address will not be published.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.

While I’ve never been through separation or divo While I’ve never been through separation or divorce in marriage, so many truths on the pages of this new book by @traciemiles resonated with me.
.
You see, there are other forms of “divorce” in life beyond the marital ones, and we don’t always get to chose who accepts us, loves us, values us.
.
Rejection stings, whispering lies into our psyches. Unworthiness takes root, growing weeds of pain where beauty should bloom.
.
And friend—if, like author Tracie Miles, you are living through the aftermath of divorce, she sweetly meets you in that sacred space with vulnerability and tools to help you move forward into a bright new future you may not have dared to dream for yourself. 
.
Anyone who purchases this beautiful new book by February 1, 2021 will receive 5 lovely gifts to jumpstart their journey to healing. To receive these gifts visit davidcook.org/tracie-miles-living-unbroken-preorder .
.
If you decide to order, I’d love to know your thoughts & how it impacts your spirit. Please let me know how I can pray for you, sweet friend. God is not finished with the story of you. 💗
.
.
.
#livingunbroken #bookrelease #readersofinstagram #lifeafterdivorce #christiandivorce #proverbs31ministries #ministry #pain #heartbreak #lonliness #faith #startingover #trust #fear #single #guilt #acceptance #beautyfromashes
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
Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2021 · Market theme by Restored 316

Copyright 2020 Brenda Bradford Ottinger · Log in