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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

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The Ministry of Hard Things

As the sun whispers its rise in the window behind me, I lay in bed praying for strength to start another day. All too many mornings lately seem to inherit yesterday’s tired spirit. Begging the energy to put on my big girl slippers, I make the bed, brush my teeth, and wake my son as I head downstairs (all while…
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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…
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God Has No Grandchildren

Exactly one minute ago, my eldest son was learning to drive — according to Mom-Time, that is. Now here we are, cruising the back roads of Surreal-ville, as my third son has found his way behind a wheel. These are the moments when I sigh in solidarity with Dr. Seuss: How did it get so late so soon? Oh, how…
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When Showing Up is Hard to Do

Most summer days, you can find me rocking away time on my front porch. I like to think of it as an investment in my sanity. Like many southern porches, ours displays an American flag gracefully flying in the wind with the same freedom its stars and stripes represent. High in the breeze, it’s the backdrop of my daydreams, my…
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Every New Beginning Comes From Another Beginning’s End

  Friends, the “Special Announcement” I alluded to last week is a bittersweet one. I hope you’ll take a listen to the short video above for the details. As always, I’m so grateful for every single one of you who’ve shown up at this table time and time again. Your friendships have blessed me beyond all words. I’ll still be…
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Spring Spotlight & Giveaway

Welcome back, friend. I pray Spring is whispering sunshine-scented joy into your home and life this week. Friends, with all the things going on in my world, I’ve somehow managed to miss the Spotlight & Giveaway drawings for February and March! So, guess what? We’re gonna do this thing Party Style with all three drawings this week!! Let’s get this…
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A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a fe A few projects I worked on this winter. (With a few Easter shenanigans for good measure. 😊)
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What projects are you working on these days?
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#crochet #homemade #yarn #blankets #rest #craft #crafting #relax #unwind #handmade #maker #easter #bunnies #learnnewthings #shine #beyou #createdtocreate #amcrafting #amcrocheting #amwriting #amliving #creator #create
Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconn Friend, are you like me & feeling a little disconnected after these last two years of social distancing. If so, I understand. 💗
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In today’s devotion over at Proverbs 31 Ministries, I share of a time when I felt unknown by the community around me, as well as a current feeling of disconnection the last couple of socially-distanced years have brought.
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So thankful we have a God who knows us through-and-through, and who walks with us in every season of our lives. 🙌
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As we all begin to take awkward steps toward re-establishing in-person connections this year, May we never forget how very *known,* and *loved* by God we are.
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Oh, that we would find our greatest comfort & community in Him. 💗
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Head over to proverbs31.org to read the & join in on the conversation today. ✨
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#community #seen #known #loved #heknowsmyname #disconnected #lonely #newbie #seasons #bible #jesus #risensavior #savior #faithful #butgod #friendship #god #ministry #influence #leadership #hope #inclusion #proverbs31ministries #rejection #amwriting #freedom #confidence #comfort
In times of joy, times of grief, and every time be In times of joy, times of grief, and every time between—Oh, how we’ve lived in the goodness of God.
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Thank you, Lord, for surrounding our lives with Yourself.
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“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people, both now and forever.” Psalm 125:2 🙌
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#goodnessofgod #faithfulgod #life #faith #trust #thankful #godisnear #surroundedbygod #helives #hesatwork #worship #bible #writersofinstagram #writerslife #anwriting #praise #worthygod #ministry #influence #service #hanginthere #rest #weary #seek #belong #remember
Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so of Friend,I wonder if you’re like me in that, so often I’d rather show up on the scene of everyday life after I have things figured out…after I have my stuff together.
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But, I’m learning that the Figuring-Out comes with the Showing-Up.
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For when we come as we are to the table of life, our place finds us.
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We need not concern ourselves with what others might say, nor worry about who seems more qualified than us.
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For we aren’t defined by anyone else’s standard of being. We are beautifully made for purpose—just as we are.
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Everyday, every year, every decade of life, we’ll grow. But may we not wait till we feel comfortable or confident or have it all figured out (as if) to step into the things God places on our hearts.
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For the beauty is in showing up & making much of Him.
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Good news, it’s not about us! 🙌
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Simply come as you are. 💗
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#comeasyouare #showup #glorifygod #confidence #calledforpurpose #youdoyou #shine #beyourself #createdforpurpose #forsuchatimeasthis #trust #serve #influence #ministry #amwriting #writerslife #service #faithful #faithfulgod #called #purpose #riseup #witness #bethechurch #writeon #uncomfortable #serve #letyourlightshine #writersofinstagram
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