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Brenda Bradford Ottinger

Encouraging Women to Live Rooted in the Sacred

The Confidence to Believe You Belong

The Confidence to Believe You Belong

It was my first day at a new school—midyear, where everyone knew each other and no one knew me. Nine…
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When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough

When You Feel Like You’re Not Enough

I’m a woman of habit, so every morning, like a playlist on repeat, I make the bed, shower and dash…
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Peace by Piece

Peace by Piece

The relentless heat of a late southern summer hung in the air as I cheered from the sidelines of my…
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Seeing God in the Middle of Your Messed-Up Plans

Seeing God in the Middle of Your Messed-Up Plans

I’ve had my share of daydreams about living on permanent vacation, but this wasn’t how I pictured it going down….
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Thirsting for Rest Amid Stress

Thirsting for Rest Amid Stress

I’d barely tiptoed into dreamland before hearing a clamor down the hall. Rising in the moonlit shadows, I tend to…
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Free Bird, Caged Song

Free Bird, Caged Song

Dawn awakes, stretching bright limbs wide across the eastern sky. So much energy displayed for such a still moment in…
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The Ministry of Hard Things

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…
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When Showing Up is Hard to Do

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…
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Every New Beginning Comes From Another Beginning’s End

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…
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Winter always seems to rally in March here in Caro Winter always seems to rally in March here in Carolina where I live.
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Oh, how that parallels life sometimes, doesn’t it, friend?
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Weary seasons often challenge the boundaries of their timetables, refusing to surrender to brighter days.
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Dear friend, if you’re in a season that feels challenging & relentless, run to the God who holds all things together. 
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Root your hope in Him, for He will not deny your spirit its Spring.
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The creation of beautiful things is a messy, time-consuming process; don’t lose hope, my friend, your spring will come.
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So, plant your garden of dreams and longings in expectation, for our God is a trustworthy God who makes all things beautiful in their time. And there is no beauty like beauty born of burden.
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God has not forgotten you, friend. Rest in the promise of what you can’t yet see, for He is forever able. 💕
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#spring #hope #dream #longing #weary #rest #trust #faith #faithfulgod #seasons #surrender #brighterdays #relentless #challenging #beautifulthings #beautyforashes #expectation #burden #struggle #christianwriter #amwriting #leadership #influence #ministry #serve #bible #godisable #jesus #springwillcome #waitongod
Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through Oh, friend, no matter what you’re going through today…there is a God who is greater.
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Greater than confusion. Greater than joy. Greater than the exhaustion. Greater than the love.
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Lean into His promises. Trust His wisdom. Rest in His care. Live in His strength.
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For every single word of the Lord proves true.
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He is faithful.
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Today.
Tomorrow.
Always. 💕
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#faithfulgod #hardship #heartache #confusion #regret #pain #weary #lost #hope #comfort #exhaustion #faith #rest #trust #ministry #influence #serve #leadership #christianwriter #amwriting #scripture #truth #godisgreater #godspromises #godsword #longing #lonely #comeasyouare #godsgotthis #trustworthy
Dear friend, the God who saw you ahead of your bir Dear friend, the God who saw you ahead of your birth, whose precious thoughts about you are greater than numbers can contain, He recorded purpose for you long before your life existed in time!
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It’s true. 💗
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Over at Proverbs 31 Ministries today, I share a memory of Younger Me and how the Lord met me—and meets you!—in the midst of our insecurity with the confidence to be ourselves & the belonging our hearts crave.
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We’d love for you to join the conversation today over at proverbs31ministries.org . Meet you there, friend! 💕
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#insecurity #belonging #freedom #beyourself #beyou #youreenough #justasyouare #p31 #ministry #proverbs31ministries #newgirl #awkward #confidence #comfort #purpose #service #leadership #christianwriter #faith #god #godslove #influence #bible #community #fittingin #findyourplace #trustgod #showup #onelife #identity
The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto The timeliness of God is a mystery & miracle unto itself…
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I’d already prepared this post & had it ready to share today, when I happened upon this verse in my quiet time this morning:
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“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” (Eph. 5:2)
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Wherever you find yourself this week, friend, look around you. Notice the ones God places in your sphere.
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Living a life of love need not be complicated. It can be as simple as a timely smile, letting someone know they’re seen.
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For, indeed, “The best use of life is love.”
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Spend it well. Use it up, pour it out, make a difference with your one life, my friend. The world needs the love you have to offer.
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And, never forget how very adored you are by your God. No thing in all of creation—past, present, or future—can ever separate you from His tender heart for you. Forever He’s the lover of your soul. 💕
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#love #belonging #care #godslove #life #lovingwell #heartofgod #loverofmysoul #rest #hope #showup #riseup #ministry #serve #anwriting #christianwriter #leadership #faith #influence #godlovesyou #bible #trust #weary #revive #renew #refresh #loveothers #bethechange #makeadifference #onelife
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