An Experiment in Growth Part 2!

Free shipping on all orders over $75🎄

This week we are about to begin the season of Lent. I look forward to this every year because it isn’t clouded with preparations, parties, decorations, shopping and all the hoopla that Advent is. Lent is simply about our relationship with Christ. It is about remembering ALL He gave for us and getting ourselves together and looking into the depths of our beings to see that person that God created us to be.

He has given us life, He gave his Son for us, but are we giving Him our very best, or simply the leftovers? I for one, choose to spend this coming season growing my relationship with God and helping others to do the same. My goal is to grow the Kingdom of God here on Earth so that as many of us as possible will live for eternity with God in Heaven.

Sometime back in 2013, I read a wonderful book by Jen Hatmaker titled, 7 an experimental mutiny against excess. As I read her words my mind was opened and I realized that there are so many things that come up in our daily lives that we just don’t stop to consider. W e simply go through the motions oblivious to the effect our actions and choices take on the world around us and on God’s Kingdom here on Earth.

Last year during Lent, my priest allowed me to lead two groups through the bible study that Jen created based on her book. Lent was such a perfect fit for this journey because it is all about choices, fasting, focussing on God and how the daily activities we partake in, effect our relationship with Him and His Kingdom. I am excited to have this same opportunity again this year!

I will be leading two groups through this study again beginning February 25th. This is open to anyone and everyone that is interested in growing their relationship with God this Lent. Men, women, young, old, Catholic, Protestant, couples, singles, moms and dads. I invite you to read this post from last year where I reflect on my journey through the 7 Project and consider joining us this year. Each session will last approximately one hour and we will have 9 sessions total. We will meet at Prince of Peace Catholic Church at noon on Tuesdays and 7pm on Wednesdays. (Our first Tuesday class is actually being held on Wednesday, February 25th due to a prior commitment at our parish.) If you would like to reserve materials and a spot for you and your spouse or friends, please feel free to contact me via email at [email protected] .

Whether you join a group to help you grow your faith this or you simply take extra time as a family to pray and fast, I ask that you consider making a commitment of some kind to give your time and energy to God this Lent.

Blessings!

feature image source

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Her View Shop

7 an experimental mutiny against excess Blessings Encouragement Faith Family fasting God God's Kingdom gratitude growing faith Jen Hatmaker Lent Prayer traci runge

Traci Runge

Traci was born and raised in San Diego and has called Kearney, Nebraska home for the past 18 years. She is married to Darby Runge and together they have 6 children. They own and operate Pro-Tint, a window tinting business. Along with being a full-time mom, Traci is also a Manager and Certified Trainer with SendOutCards, she works with businesses and individuals to build relationships and grow their income through Relationship Marketing. Traci works hard to balance her roles of mother, wife and business owner. She strives to help make the world a better place through kindness and love and leading by example. Traci is committed to her family, church and community and can often be found volunteering in some capacity. www.sendoutcards.com/tracirunge

God Had Different Plans

In: Faith, Motherhood

Silhouette of family swinging child between two parents

As I sip my twice-reheated coffee holding one baby and watching another run laps around the messy living room, I catch bits and pieces of the Good Morning America news broadcast. My mind drifts off for a second to the dreams I once had of being the one on the screen. Live from New York City with hair and makeup fixed before 6 a.m. I really believed that would be me. I just knew I’d be the one telling the mama with unwashed hair and tired eyes about the world events that happened overnight while she rocked babies and pumped milk....

Keep Reading

This Will Not Last Forever

In: Faith, Motherhood

“This will not last forever,” I wrote those words on the unfinished walls above my daughter’s changing table. For some reason, it got very tiring to change her diapers. Nearly three years later, the words are still there though the changing table no longer is under them. While my house is still unfinished so I occasionally see those words, that stage of changing diapers for her has moved on. She did grow up, and I got a break. Now I do it for her baby brother. I have been reminding myself of the seasons of life again. Everything comes and...

Keep Reading

God Calls Me Flawless

In: Faith, Living

When I look in the mirror, I don’t always like what I see. I tend to focus on every imperfection, every flaw. As I age, more wrinkles naturally appear. And I’ve never been high maintenance, so the gray hairs are becoming more frequent, too. Growing up a lot of negative words were spoken about me: my body, my weight, my hair, my build. Words I’ve somehow carried my whole life. The people who proclaimed them as my truth don’t even remember what they said, I’m sure. But that’s the power of negative words. Sticks and stones may break our bones,...

Keep Reading

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

In: Faith, Friendship, Marriage

As the clock inches closer to 7:00 on a Monday evening, I pull out whatever dessert I had prepared that week and set it out on the kitchen counter. This particular week it’s a trifle, but other weeks it may be brownies, pound cake, or cookies of some kind. My eyes do one last sweep to make sure there isn’t a tripping hazard disguised as a dog toy on the floor and that the leftover dinner is put away. Then, my kids and I make ourselves scarce. Sometimes that involves library runs or gym visits, but it mostly looks like...

Keep Reading

This Is Why Moms Ask for Experience Gifts

In: Faith, Living, Motherhood

Mother and young daughter under Christmas lights wearing red sweaters

When a mama asks for experience gifts for her kids for Christmas, please don’t take it as she’s ungrateful or a Scrooge. She appreciates the love her children get, she really does. But she’s tired. She’s tired of the endless number of toys that sit in the bottom of a toy bin and never see the light of day. She’s tired of tripping over the hundreds of LEGOs and reminding her son to pick them up so the baby doesn’t find them and choke. She’s tired of having four Elsa dolls (we have baby Elsa, Barbie Elsa, a mini Elsa,...

Keep Reading

When You Just Don’t Feel Like Christmas

In: Faith, Living

It’s hard to admit, but some years I have to force myself to decorate for Christmas. Some years the lights look a little dimmer. The garlands feel a bit heavier. And the circumstances of life just aren’t wrapped in a big red bow like I so wish they were. Then comparison creeps in like a fake Facebook friend and I just feel like hiding under the covers and skipping it all. Because I know there’s no way to measure up to the perfect life “out there.” And it all just feels heavier than it used to. Though I feel alone,...

Keep Reading

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

In: Faith, Kids

How do I know if the voice I’m hearing is God’s voice? When I was in high school, I found myself asking this question. My dad was a pastor, and I was feeling called to ministry. I didn’t know if I was just hearing my dad’s wish or the call of God. I was worried I was confusing the two. It turns out, I did know. I knew because I was raised to recognize the presence of God all around me. Once I knew what God’s presence felt like, I also knew what God’s voice sounded like. There is a...

Keep Reading

To the Woman Longing to Become a Mother

In: Faith, Grief, Motherhood

Woman looking at pregnancy test with hand on her head and sad expression

To the woman who is struggling with infertility. To the woman who is staring at another pregnancy test with your flashlight or holding it up in the light, praying so hard that there will be even the faintest line. To the woman whose period showed up right on time. To the woman who is just ready to quit. I don’t know the details of your story. I don’t know what doctors have told you. I don’t know how long you have been trying. I don’t know how many tears you have shed. I don’t know if you have lost a...

Keep Reading

I Was There to Walk My Mother to Heaven

In: Faith, Grief, Loss

I prayed to see my momma die. Please don’t click away yet or judge me harshly after five seconds. I prayed to see, to experience, to be in the room, to be a part of every last millisecond of my momma’s final days, final hours, and final moments here on Earth. You see, as a wife of a military man, I have always lived away from my family. I have missed many birthdays, celebrations, dinners, and important things. But my heart couldn’t miss this important moment. I live 12 hours away from the room in the house where my momma...

Keep Reading

God Sent Me to You

In: Faith, Motherhood

Newborn gazing at mother with father smiling down

I was a little unsure As I left God’s warm embrace: What will it be like? What challenges will I face? There were so many questions Running through my mind. I asked around for the answers I was hoping to find. Who will hold me And cuddle me tight? Who will rock me To sleep at night? RELATED: The Newborn Nights Feel As Endless As My Love For You Who will comfort me When I’ve had a rough day? Who will be there To take my worries away? Who will nourish me And make sure I grow? Who will read...

Keep Reading

10 ways to bring romance into your relationship!

Journal

10 ways to bring romance into your relationship!

Fifty Shades of Grace

Faith

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

Traci Runge

God Had Different Plans

This Will Not Last Forever

God Calls Me Flawless

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

This Is Why Moms Ask for Experience Gifts

When You Just Don’t Feel Like Christmas

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

To the Woman Longing to Become a Mother

I Was There to Walk My Mother to Heaven

God Sent Me to You

free email bonus

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids

An Experiment in Growth Part 2!

If you liked this, you'll love our new book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Her View Shop

God Had Different Plans

This Will Not Last Forever

God Calls Me Flawless

Your Husband Needs Friendship Too

This Is Why Moms Ask for Experience Gifts

When You Just Don’t Feel Like Christmas

When Your Kids Ask, “Where Is God?”

To the Woman Longing to Become a Mother

I Was There to Walk My Mother to Heaven

God Sent Me to You

Previous Post

Next Post

You May Also Like

5 Ways to Connect with Your Kids