Emily Conrad's Blog, page 4
January 18, 2018
The Justice Cover Reveal and the 8th grader behind it all
by Emily Conrad
In eight grade, I fell in love in the consuming, head-over-heels, emotional-high kind of way. It all started in English class, but instead of being related to any of the cute boys who sat near me, this love was for penning short stories.
Mrs. Spellman dedicated a unit to creating short stories. I have no idea how long the unit was or how exactly she structured it. In my memory, we might as well have had an entire glorious semester with no other assignments. (Reality check: it was probably more like a week...) Perhaps that's also when we read some other short stories--one I read in middle school (in that class, I think) still sticks with me. As I remember it, Mrs. Spellman encouraged us to go in the classroom closet and read our work out loud to ourselves. (I was too shy to do this. Yes. Too shy to read to myself in a closet.)
So there I was, given time to create, practicing the discipline of reading other writers, and learning the basics about self-editing. Did I mention it was glorious?
I'd done some writing prior to that unit, but after, fiction writing became an infatuation. I knew I wanted to be a writer.
Later, when I was on a college campus, preparing to attend, my mom and I met a student. Again, going on memories, I think the student had gotten one degree and her career of choice hadn't worked out, so she was back in school, obtaining a different one. Her advice to me was to have a backup plan. When we told her I wanted to be a writer but was getting a college degree (in French, because I had a bunch of French credits by the end of high school), she said, "Oh, so this is your backup plan then."
And it was a backup plan I used for years, leveraging that degree to land jobs that required a bachelor's degree but weren't concerned that my subject matter hadn't been terribly practical.
In 2014, when my husband and I decided it was time for me to try full-time writing, I quit my backup plan, my day job. I told myself that this was like starting over, that despite all the work I'd done toward publication, jumping in full-time was like learning a new career. Since college degrees take about 4 years, I told myself I shouldn't be surprised if finding publication (something I'd already been working on since high school) took me an additional 4 years.
In all honesty, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised if it took longer than that, too. God has all of our timelines in His hands, in complete control.
But.
Here we are three years and about ten months later, and yesterday--just yesterday--my debut novel went up for pre-order on Amazon (affiliate link) and Barnes and Noble. And that's why I'm sharing the cover far and wide today.
But I couldn't share it with you without mentioning that now-invisible eighth grade girl who first dreamed this direction.
She's important because some loves endure through years of waiting and backup plans. She's important because God has been faithful to her through all the twists and turns in her story, and He will continue to be. She's important because she's not yet done dreaming.
She's also important because we all have the opportunity to be a Mrs. Spellman to others--and we may never know when we've been such an inspiration to someone, but we can trust that if we're following God, He's using us powerfully.
In fact, He's used you, dear blog readers, to encourage me.
I'm grateful to God and to you for giving me the opportunity to share my words. I'm grateful because so many of you are celebrating with me and that eighth grade girl with the long, kinda poofy hair, the creepy teddy bear sweater, the loose leaf paper, and the hand-drawn front covers on her stories.
God isn't done with her or her dreams yet. He's not done with you or yours, either.
As one of my wise friends and critique partners reminded me this week, "the future is still ahead." It seems obvious, but we forget that sometimes, don't we? I do, but looking back on that eighth grader today, I remember.
May we all keep dreaming with Jesus,
The #justicenovel cover reveal and the story of how I became a writer - @emilyrconrad #CR4U #Christfic #amwriting
In eight grade, I fell in love in the consuming, head-over-heels, emotional-high kind of way. It all started in English class, but instead of being related to any of the cute boys who sat near me, this love was for penning short stories.
Mrs. Spellman dedicated a unit to creating short stories. I have no idea how long the unit was or how exactly she structured it. In my memory, we might as well have had an entire glorious semester with no other assignments. (Reality check: it was probably more like a week...) Perhaps that's also when we read some other short stories--one I read in middle school (in that class, I think) still sticks with me. As I remember it, Mrs. Spellman encouraged us to go in the classroom closet and read our work out loud to ourselves. (I was too shy to do this. Yes. Too shy to read to myself in a closet.)
So there I was, given time to create, practicing the discipline of reading other writers, and learning the basics about self-editing. Did I mention it was glorious?
I'd done some writing prior to that unit, but after, fiction writing became an infatuation. I knew I wanted to be a writer.
Later, when I was on a college campus, preparing to attend, my mom and I met a student. Again, going on memories, I think the student had gotten one degree and her career of choice hadn't worked out, so she was back in school, obtaining a different one. Her advice to me was to have a backup plan. When we told her I wanted to be a writer but was getting a college degree (in French, because I had a bunch of French credits by the end of high school), she said, "Oh, so this is your backup plan then."
And it was a backup plan I used for years, leveraging that degree to land jobs that required a bachelor's degree but weren't concerned that my subject matter hadn't been terribly practical.
In 2014, when my husband and I decided it was time for me to try full-time writing, I quit my backup plan, my day job. I told myself that this was like starting over, that despite all the work I'd done toward publication, jumping in full-time was like learning a new career. Since college degrees take about 4 years, I told myself I shouldn't be surprised if finding publication (something I'd already been working on since high school) took me an additional 4 years.
In all honesty, I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised if it took longer than that, too. God has all of our timelines in His hands, in complete control.
But.
Here we are three years and about ten months later, and yesterday--just yesterday--my debut novel went up for pre-order on Amazon (affiliate link) and Barnes and Noble. And that's why I'm sharing the cover far and wide today.
But I couldn't share it with you without mentioning that now-invisible eighth grade girl who first dreamed this direction.
She's important because some loves endure through years of waiting and backup plans. She's important because God has been faithful to her through all the twists and turns in her story, and He will continue to be. She's important because she's not yet done dreaming.
She's also important because we all have the opportunity to be a Mrs. Spellman to others--and we may never know when we've been such an inspiration to someone, but we can trust that if we're following God, He's using us powerfully.
In fact, He's used you, dear blog readers, to encourage me.
I'm grateful to God and to you for giving me the opportunity to share my words. I'm grateful because so many of you are celebrating with me and that eighth grade girl with the long, kinda poofy hair, the creepy teddy bear sweater, the loose leaf paper, and the hand-drawn front covers on her stories.
God isn't done with her or her dreams yet. He's not done with you or yours, either.
As one of my wise friends and critique partners reminded me this week, "the future is still ahead." It seems obvious, but we forget that sometimes, don't we? I do, but looking back on that eighth grader today, I remember.
May we all keep dreaming with Jesus,
The #justicenovel cover reveal and the story of how I became a writer - @emilyrconrad #CR4U #Christfic #amwriting
January 16, 2018
Celebrating Christmas in the ER
by Barbara M. Britton
How was your Christmas? I’m not sure how I am going to answer that question this year. I celebrated many blessings. My boys were home from seminary and work. We ate delicious meals with amazing chocolate cake to top off the menu. Presents were distributed with glee. But then, life happened. Christmas became a memory very fast. I found myself focusing on people who were suffering. I found myself in the emergency room with a family member who developed a blood clot from being in one of those cumbersome, restrictive black “boots” the previous month. Fortunately, and with thanks to God, my family member came home and is on a medication to dissolve the clot.
Read more »
How was your Christmas? I’m not sure how I am going to answer that question this year. I celebrated many blessings. My boys were home from seminary and work. We ate delicious meals with amazing chocolate cake to top off the menu. Presents were distributed with glee. But then, life happened. Christmas became a memory very fast. I found myself focusing on people who were suffering. I found myself in the emergency room with a family member who developed a blood clot from being in one of those cumbersome, restrictive black “boots” the previous month. Fortunately, and with thanks to God, my family member came home and is on a medication to dissolve the clot.
Read more »
January 11, 2018
Blessings to Light the Way
by Emily Conrad
My father-in-law hand makes the lamps in his studio. His Tiffany reproductions have been featured in local magazines and calendars for enthusiasts, and his work is on display not only in his own home, but in the homes of friends, family, and customers.
When I first saw them, I quickly decided on a favorite. The large dragonfly design is made of a color combination - blue with pops of vibrant purple and pink - that reminds me of Monet’s waterlilies.
Read more »
My father-in-law hand makes the lamps in his studio. His Tiffany reproductions have been featured in local magazines and calendars for enthusiasts, and his work is on display not only in his own home, but in the homes of friends, family, and customers.
When I first saw them, I quickly decided on a favorite. The large dragonfly design is made of a color combination - blue with pops of vibrant purple and pink - that reminds me of Monet’s waterlilies.
Read more »
January 9, 2018
Enough Progress for Today and Launch Team Application
by Emily Conrad
I'm wearing a blazer over a peplum top, jeans (minus any distressing), boots, and sparkly earrings as I type to you this morning. It's because I have my release date for my debut novel--March 9th!--and I'm in book launch mode. The lists of things to do and follow up on are long. I want to tackle them all, make enough progress today that sleep is easier tonight, that I have less to think about tomorrow.
Any time I, who work from home, goes to the trouble of dressing up--hair and makeup included--I start thinking up an Instagram post. I snapped a picture (okay, like 6 pictures) and sat down at the table where I usually work to get my day started.
And then my hound Luther popped up onto my lap, sniffed a bit, yawned, and settled in for a visit.
Luther is 65-pounds, and he doesn't fit on my lap, so this was only the front half of his body.
Immediately, more pictures were added to the Instagram post with the follow up lesson: don't take yourself so seriously, Emily!
The everything-is-up-to-me mentality will keep us up at night. It will leave us wondering if we did good work, if we'll ever be enough, if our failures will cripple our careers or--more importantly--us. It leaves our souls panting for water as we run a marathon that was never marked out for us.
When we don't consciously turn over our to-do lists to God, entrusting them entirely to Him, we hustle right past the point.
The point is, there's too much for us. The point is, the heavy lifting has been done. For believers in Christ, salvation is assured and God has already coursed out good works that we may walk in them--not sprint through them at break-neck speed. We get to enjoy following God, who will attend to every detail. We can experience rest, even in the midst of hard work, when we trust Jesus. You know. The kind of rest that lets us sleep at night.
Amen to that.
Now about that book launch. Justice, my debut novel, is romantic women's fiction that admittedly deals with a heavy issue (or three...): rape, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, revenge versus justice.
Here is the blurb: Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake. If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.
*Update* - Previously, the link to apply for the launch team was here, but my team is now full and the book is up for pre-order. If you'd like to know about opportunities to join my launch team in the future, sign up for my email list! (You get access to a free short story that I'm particularly proud of for subscribing, so it's a win-win!)
In the meantime, if you enjoy Christian fiction and think this sounds like a story for you, the book is up for pre-order! You can find it on Amazon (affiliate link) or Barnes and Noble.
I'm so grateful for you, dear readers! Your comments and visits to this blog have encouraged me through the years, reminding me of the truth that each of our voices matters, regardless of the size of our platforms, agented/unagented status, and publishing track record (or lack thereof).
God has created you for a purpose. He's given you a voice and a mission to impact this time and place for Him in ways no one else could. None of us has to be afraid of that mission because, as I wrote, He's already done the heavy lifting. All we must do is follow.
#God has already coursed out good works that we may walk in them--not sprint through them at break-neck speed. #faith #Tuesdaythoughts via @emilyrconrad
I'm wearing a blazer over a peplum top, jeans (minus any distressing), boots, and sparkly earrings as I type to you this morning. It's because I have my release date for my debut novel--March 9th!--and I'm in book launch mode. The lists of things to do and follow up on are long. I want to tackle them all, make enough progress today that sleep is easier tonight, that I have less to think about tomorrow.
Any time I, who work from home, goes to the trouble of dressing up--hair and makeup included--I start thinking up an Instagram post. I snapped a picture (okay, like 6 pictures) and sat down at the table where I usually work to get my day started.
And then my hound Luther popped up onto my lap, sniffed a bit, yawned, and settled in for a visit.
Luther is 65-pounds, and he doesn't fit on my lap, so this was only the front half of his body.
Immediately, more pictures were added to the Instagram post with the follow up lesson: don't take yourself so seriously, Emily!
The everything-is-up-to-me mentality will keep us up at night. It will leave us wondering if we did good work, if we'll ever be enough, if our failures will cripple our careers or--more importantly--us. It leaves our souls panting for water as we run a marathon that was never marked out for us.
When we don't consciously turn over our to-do lists to God, entrusting them entirely to Him, we hustle right past the point.
The point is, there's too much for us. The point is, the heavy lifting has been done. For believers in Christ, salvation is assured and God has already coursed out good works that we may walk in them--not sprint through them at break-neck speed. We get to enjoy following God, who will attend to every detail. We can experience rest, even in the midst of hard work, when we trust Jesus. You know. The kind of rest that lets us sleep at night.
Amen to that.
Now about that book launch. Justice, my debut novel, is romantic women's fiction that admittedly deals with a heavy issue (or three...): rape, out-of-wedlock pregnancy, revenge versus justice.
Here is the blurb: Jake thought he was meant to marry Brooklyn, but now she's pregnant, and he had nothing to do with it. Brooklyn can’t bring herself to name the father as she wrestles with questions about what her pregnancy means and how it will affect her relationship with Jake. If Harold Keen, the man who owns the bookstore across from Jake's coffee shop, has anything to do with it, the baby will ruin them both.
*Update* - Previously, the link to apply for the launch team was here, but my team is now full and the book is up for pre-order. If you'd like to know about opportunities to join my launch team in the future, sign up for my email list! (You get access to a free short story that I'm particularly proud of for subscribing, so it's a win-win!)
In the meantime, if you enjoy Christian fiction and think this sounds like a story for you, the book is up for pre-order! You can find it on Amazon (affiliate link) or Barnes and Noble.
I'm so grateful for you, dear readers! Your comments and visits to this blog have encouraged me through the years, reminding me of the truth that each of our voices matters, regardless of the size of our platforms, agented/unagented status, and publishing track record (or lack thereof).
God has created you for a purpose. He's given you a voice and a mission to impact this time and place for Him in ways no one else could. None of us has to be afraid of that mission because, as I wrote, He's already done the heavy lifting. All we must do is follow.
#God has already coursed out good works that we may walk in them--not sprint through them at break-neck speed. #faith #Tuesdaythoughts via @emilyrconrad
January 4, 2018
Making the New Year New
by Emily Conrad
I’m not ready to give up my Christmas tree, so I took down the collection of colorful ornaments I’ve amassed through the years and replaced them with the classy and pretty ornaments my husband gave me for Christmas this year. I also set aside some old ornaments that don’t have meaning to donate or toss as appropriate.
I’ll probably take down the tree this weekend, but in the meantime, the tree is a little less cluttered and more golden.
This unwillingness to take down the decorations when I’m normally ready by this time could be related to going from no kids to one exchange student in November, or perhaps to other situations that have been weighing on me. Regardless, the holiday season went quickly, and though it has passed, I continue to crave the lights, the beauty, and the peace of Christmas.
Whether the tree is still up or not, we always have access to these things in Christ. He is the source of life and beauty, the light shining in the darkness, the peace of Christmas come to stay.
I haven’t made resolutions, and I don’t intend to, but with Jesus, I intend to do to my life what I did to the Christmas tree.
Read more »
I’m not ready to give up my Christmas tree, so I took down the collection of colorful ornaments I’ve amassed through the years and replaced them with the classy and pretty ornaments my husband gave me for Christmas this year. I also set aside some old ornaments that don’t have meaning to donate or toss as appropriate.
I’ll probably take down the tree this weekend, but in the meantime, the tree is a little less cluttered and more golden.
This unwillingness to take down the decorations when I’m normally ready by this time could be related to going from no kids to one exchange student in November, or perhaps to other situations that have been weighing on me. Regardless, the holiday season went quickly, and though it has passed, I continue to crave the lights, the beauty, and the peace of Christmas.
Whether the tree is still up or not, we always have access to these things in Christ. He is the source of life and beauty, the light shining in the darkness, the peace of Christmas come to stay.
I haven’t made resolutions, and I don’t intend to, but with Jesus, I intend to do to my life what I did to the Christmas tree.
Read more »
January 2, 2018
A Blessing for Your New Year
by Emily Conrad
May you invite God into 2018 at the start and again each day.
May you seek His will and follow Him as He reveals it to you.
May you find rest with Him in this season of waiting--because they are all seasons of waiting, aren't they?
May He establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), and may that work glorify Him.
When you do not know which way to go, may you go to Him.
If you run, let it be to Jesus, and if you walk, let it be at His side.
May you find that He provides your daily bread (Matthew 6:11), and may you release the other, extra trappings that would hinder you.
May your house be lit with His love.
As you practice gratitude, may your contentment overflow (Philippians 4:7).
May you see the beauty of dreams yet to be fulfilled.
May Jesus be your first love and your favorite friend.
May His Spirit overwhelm you.
May you taste and see that He is good. (Psalm 34:8)
May you know God and serve Him without fear. (Luke 1:74)
When 2018 draws to a close, may you be able to say you know Him better and you love Him more.
May #Jesus be your first love and your favorite friend. A #blessing for your #newyear via @emilyrconrad
Two hands with sparklers photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
Girl with sparkler photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
Silhouette with lights photo by Joshua Fuller on Unsplash
May you invite God into 2018 at the start and again each day.
May you seek His will and follow Him as He reveals it to you.
May you find rest with Him in this season of waiting--because they are all seasons of waiting, aren't they?
May He establish the work of your hands (Psalm 90:17), and may that work glorify Him.
When you do not know which way to go, may you go to Him.
If you run, let it be to Jesus, and if you walk, let it be at His side.
May you find that He provides your daily bread (Matthew 6:11), and may you release the other, extra trappings that would hinder you.
May your house be lit with His love.
As you practice gratitude, may your contentment overflow (Philippians 4:7).
May you see the beauty of dreams yet to be fulfilled.
May Jesus be your first love and your favorite friend.
May His Spirit overwhelm you.
May you taste and see that He is good. (Psalm 34:8)
May you know God and serve Him without fear. (Luke 1:74)
When 2018 draws to a close, may you be able to say you know Him better and you love Him more.
May #Jesus be your first love and your favorite friend. A #blessing for your #newyear via @emilyrconrad
Two hands with sparklers photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
Girl with sparkler photo by Xan Griffin on Unsplash
Silhouette with lights photo by Joshua Fuller on Unsplash
December 28, 2017
Top Posts of 2017
by Emily Conrad
I don't write a Christmas letter, but I do enjoy reading the ones I receive. It's so interesting to see how a year boils down into one or two pages.
As a novelist, I'm not used to being so succinct. 2017 has meant approximately 100 new posts for this blog. That's a lot of year to review, but this is my last post of 2017, and I have Google Analytics to help me narrow it down, so I've complied some of the most popular posts of the year.
As I look back over them, I'm struck with appreciation. Thank you for listening to these stories and chiming in with your own. Your visits to this online space this year have encouraged me and helped me to stay the course, to say nothing of the blessing of your comments and shares and emails.
If you're newer to the blog or might've missed some posts along the way, or if you--like me--just enjoy seeing a review of the year, here are this blog's most popular posts of 2017:
1. Patience, Trust, and a Very Special Delivery, a guest post by Sally Poyzer
The most popular post of the year is a bit of a surprise to me because talk about wives submitting in love and respect to their husbands is counter-cultural and, let's be honest, sometimes a very hard pill to swallow. Yet Sally Poyzer's 's heartfelt yet playful example in Patience, Trust, and a Very Special Delivery resonated with readers to the top spot for the year. If you're looking for a concrete example of what it looks like to honor your husband, check out this post, and consider her book, That Book for Wives, which is on sale for just $1 through January 1st on Smashwords here.
2. Indivisible: Seen, Known, and Forever Loved by a Wholehearted God
This time last year, I was starting to plan a series with a number of other bloggers to explore God's love. These ladies' voices came together to create posts that dominate the most popular of the year, taking up about half the spots in my top 20 most popular pages for the year. I'm cheating here and combining the whole series into one so we can talk about other things, too. Need a reminder of how very loved you are? Peruse the series here. Oh, and if you'd prefer to explore the idea through fiction, I published the short story "31 and Falling" on my website as a free download in conjunction with the series.
3. Snail Mail Encouragement From Me to You
Sneaking in with a ranking that landed it in the middle of the Indivisible posts is my offer to mail a Bible verse. The offer still stands. If you'd like a Bible verse to start off your year, check out the post. You've got no idea how excited I get every time someone takes me up on this!
4. Why It's Important to Celebrate (and some book news)
You all joined me in the celebration when I found out my debut novel, Justice, would be releasing in March. I posted the story of how I received the news, and also got real about why I'm sometimes tempted to keep good news to myself (and why that's not the way to go).
5. A Writer Tries to Help God with Math
I'm so glad one of the writer-in-waiting posts made the top of the list, because this has been a theme in my life for about the last 17 years. I wish I could say I have the patience and trust game down by now, but I find God still has to continually remind me that He's got my dream perfectly on course for His plans. I might just go reread this one myself...
____________
So that was 2017. As I begin to think about 2018, I'd love to hear from you. What posts touched you, what topics do you always want to hear more about, how can this blog be a space that encourages and uplifts you?
Leave a comment or shoot me an email (emilyconrad (at) sbcglobal.net). I consider it an honor that you come here to read, and I truly want to know how to best steward this blessing.
I hope that as you look back on 2017, you see God's hand at work in your life. I hope what you see prompts you to praise Him.
May the Lord bless you and keep you as you move into 2018 with Him by your side.
Happy New Year,
Some of the topics of my top posts for 2017: #Marriage, #encouragement, God's #love, and #hope for #writers. See the roundup here via @emilyrconrad
I don't write a Christmas letter, but I do enjoy reading the ones I receive. It's so interesting to see how a year boils down into one or two pages.
As a novelist, I'm not used to being so succinct. 2017 has meant approximately 100 new posts for this blog. That's a lot of year to review, but this is my last post of 2017, and I have Google Analytics to help me narrow it down, so I've complied some of the most popular posts of the year.
As I look back over them, I'm struck with appreciation. Thank you for listening to these stories and chiming in with your own. Your visits to this online space this year have encouraged me and helped me to stay the course, to say nothing of the blessing of your comments and shares and emails.
If you're newer to the blog or might've missed some posts along the way, or if you--like me--just enjoy seeing a review of the year, here are this blog's most popular posts of 2017:
1. Patience, Trust, and a Very Special Delivery, a guest post by Sally Poyzer
The most popular post of the year is a bit of a surprise to me because talk about wives submitting in love and respect to their husbands is counter-cultural and, let's be honest, sometimes a very hard pill to swallow. Yet Sally Poyzer's 's heartfelt yet playful example in Patience, Trust, and a Very Special Delivery resonated with readers to the top spot for the year. If you're looking for a concrete example of what it looks like to honor your husband, check out this post, and consider her book, That Book for Wives, which is on sale for just $1 through January 1st on Smashwords here.
2. Indivisible: Seen, Known, and Forever Loved by a Wholehearted God
This time last year, I was starting to plan a series with a number of other bloggers to explore God's love. These ladies' voices came together to create posts that dominate the most popular of the year, taking up about half the spots in my top 20 most popular pages for the year. I'm cheating here and combining the whole series into one so we can talk about other things, too. Need a reminder of how very loved you are? Peruse the series here. Oh, and if you'd prefer to explore the idea through fiction, I published the short story "31 and Falling" on my website as a free download in conjunction with the series.
3. Snail Mail Encouragement From Me to You
Sneaking in with a ranking that landed it in the middle of the Indivisible posts is my offer to mail a Bible verse. The offer still stands. If you'd like a Bible verse to start off your year, check out the post. You've got no idea how excited I get every time someone takes me up on this!4. Why It's Important to Celebrate (and some book news)
You all joined me in the celebration when I found out my debut novel, Justice, would be releasing in March. I posted the story of how I received the news, and also got real about why I'm sometimes tempted to keep good news to myself (and why that's not the way to go).5. A Writer Tries to Help God with Math
I'm so glad one of the writer-in-waiting posts made the top of the list, because this has been a theme in my life for about the last 17 years. I wish I could say I have the patience and trust game down by now, but I find God still has to continually remind me that He's got my dream perfectly on course for His plans. I might just go reread this one myself...____________
So that was 2017. As I begin to think about 2018, I'd love to hear from you. What posts touched you, what topics do you always want to hear more about, how can this blog be a space that encourages and uplifts you?
Leave a comment or shoot me an email (emilyconrad (at) sbcglobal.net). I consider it an honor that you come here to read, and I truly want to know how to best steward this blessing.
I hope that as you look back on 2017, you see God's hand at work in your life. I hope what you see prompts you to praise Him.
May the Lord bless you and keep you as you move into 2018 with Him by your side.
Happy New Year,
Some of the topics of my top posts for 2017: #Marriage, #encouragement, God's #love, and #hope for #writers. See the roundup here via @emilyrconrad
December 26, 2017
Christmas on a Monday
by Emily Conrad
Christmas was on a Monday this year, and when I woke to it, I have to say, that’s how it felt—like a Monday. My throat scratched with the hint of a pending cold. I was tired, though I’d just woken, and I had a lot to do. Hello, Monday.
On Christmas Eve, my parents gave me a present for each of our dogs. We brought them home wrapped because it’s fun to watch Luther and Sadie tear through the paper and pull out the toy. Luther, our spunky hound, behaved as expected, happily ripping out his toy.
Sadie, however, who doesn’t like to get in trouble—and will even act guilty when we’re about to catch Luther being naughty—wouldn’t take her package from me. She knew the other gifts under our tree weren’t for her, and she didn’t trust that she could sink her teeth into this one.
She’s a little too well behaved to accept a gift.
She sniffed the package and wagged her tail. She agreed with me that it was a good idea, but she wouldn’t pull out the toy. I loosened the paper so she could fit her nose in, but she wouldn't wiggle her little black nose inside. I tugged a corner of the toy from the package. Once she could see it, she pulled the out the toy and trotted away happily. Until then, she didn’t believe me that the gift was for her.
Perhaps you could fault me for confusing my dogs, not letting them open the gifts under the tree, but then giving them one. It could be confusing, I know. However, I happen to believe they can smell the difference between their gifts and our gifts because one year, they zeroed in on their gifts when we weren’t looking and unwrapped only those at my parents’ house. For this reason, now that we have our own tree, I don’t put their gifts under it. I keep them out of reach until I’m ready to give them.
On that first Christmas, God’s gift to us came with everything good that is out of our reach without Jesus: peace, joy, salvation. God has also given us gifts like family, friends, callings, rest.
But sometimes we think about what we don’t have, what we haven’t been given, and then we look at the gift before us and figure that’s probably not ours, either. Sure, we agree with God that it would be a great idea, but we hesitate to enjoy it. We keep family or friends at arms’ length, we procrastinate to do work we’re passionate about in the name of obligation to other duties, we spend all our time scrambling and don’t recharge. We’re too well behaved to sink our teeth into the gift.
It’s Monday, after all, and all of that peace, joy, and abundant life sounds a little too good to be true.
Except that Christmas is about Immanuel, a God who is with us and giving good gifts, even on a Monday.
Perhaps especially on a Monday.
Wasn’t that first Christmas set up to be a day like any other? The Jews had been waiting and waiting and waiting for a Messiah. Hadn’t life for most of them become routine? Don’t you feel the drudgery when you read about the census and Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to be counted with the house of David?
So maybe that first Christmas interrupted a pretty normal Monday, too. Up until labor began and angels flooded the sky, there were full inns and a census and accommodations in the stable—which sounds like a worse Monday than I’ve ever experienced.
And then God interrupts the drudgery with the greatest gift in history—God with us. Immanuel is still with us today, offering gifts to interrupt our drudgery. He’s taken the gifts of peace and joy and light and life off the high shelf and He extends them to us.
Some days—some Christmases, even—feel like Mondays, but regardless of the day, God has piled up the gifts in front of us. No matter what the calendar says or how we feel, we can spend each day unwrapping the good, good gifts He offers us, chief of which is a relationship with Him.
Let's take those gifts, tear in, and enjoy like we were meant to. Let’s never be too well behaved—too committed to the drudgery of Mondays—to accept what He offers.
Daily, let's remind ourselves of what He's given us, the peace and the rest and the joy, by spending time with Him. When Mondays threaten to take over, let's recite Scripture to ourselves, speaking His words into our lives so that we can live with hope and anticipation.
Jesus came that we would have life and have it abundantly, not only on weekends or special occasions, but every day. Even on Mondays.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." John 10:10, NET
#Jesus came that we would have abundant #life, not only on weekends or special occasions, but every day. Even on Mondays. via @emilyrconrad
Photo credits
Calendar and dogs photos are my own
Stacked gifts photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash
Gifts on doorstep photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
Christmas was on a Monday this year, and when I woke to it, I have to say, that’s how it felt—like a Monday. My throat scratched with the hint of a pending cold. I was tired, though I’d just woken, and I had a lot to do. Hello, Monday.
On Christmas Eve, my parents gave me a present for each of our dogs. We brought them home wrapped because it’s fun to watch Luther and Sadie tear through the paper and pull out the toy. Luther, our spunky hound, behaved as expected, happily ripping out his toy.
Sadie, however, who doesn’t like to get in trouble—and will even act guilty when we’re about to catch Luther being naughty—wouldn’t take her package from me. She knew the other gifts under our tree weren’t for her, and she didn’t trust that she could sink her teeth into this one.
She’s a little too well behaved to accept a gift.
She sniffed the package and wagged her tail. She agreed with me that it was a good idea, but she wouldn’t pull out the toy. I loosened the paper so she could fit her nose in, but she wouldn't wiggle her little black nose inside. I tugged a corner of the toy from the package. Once she could see it, she pulled the out the toy and trotted away happily. Until then, she didn’t believe me that the gift was for her.
Perhaps you could fault me for confusing my dogs, not letting them open the gifts under the tree, but then giving them one. It could be confusing, I know. However, I happen to believe they can smell the difference between their gifts and our gifts because one year, they zeroed in on their gifts when we weren’t looking and unwrapped only those at my parents’ house. For this reason, now that we have our own tree, I don’t put their gifts under it. I keep them out of reach until I’m ready to give them.
On that first Christmas, God’s gift to us came with everything good that is out of our reach without Jesus: peace, joy, salvation. God has also given us gifts like family, friends, callings, rest.
But sometimes we think about what we don’t have, what we haven’t been given, and then we look at the gift before us and figure that’s probably not ours, either. Sure, we agree with God that it would be a great idea, but we hesitate to enjoy it. We keep family or friends at arms’ length, we procrastinate to do work we’re passionate about in the name of obligation to other duties, we spend all our time scrambling and don’t recharge. We’re too well behaved to sink our teeth into the gift.
It’s Monday, after all, and all of that peace, joy, and abundant life sounds a little too good to be true.
Except that Christmas is about Immanuel, a God who is with us and giving good gifts, even on a Monday.
Perhaps especially on a Monday.
Wasn’t that first Christmas set up to be a day like any other? The Jews had been waiting and waiting and waiting for a Messiah. Hadn’t life for most of them become routine? Don’t you feel the drudgery when you read about the census and Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem to be counted with the house of David?
So maybe that first Christmas interrupted a pretty normal Monday, too. Up until labor began and angels flooded the sky, there were full inns and a census and accommodations in the stable—which sounds like a worse Monday than I’ve ever experienced.
And then God interrupts the drudgery with the greatest gift in history—God with us. Immanuel is still with us today, offering gifts to interrupt our drudgery. He’s taken the gifts of peace and joy and light and life off the high shelf and He extends them to us.
Some days—some Christmases, even—feel like Mondays, but regardless of the day, God has piled up the gifts in front of us. No matter what the calendar says or how we feel, we can spend each day unwrapping the good, good gifts He offers us, chief of which is a relationship with Him.
Let's take those gifts, tear in, and enjoy like we were meant to. Let’s never be too well behaved—too committed to the drudgery of Mondays—to accept what He offers.
Daily, let's remind ourselves of what He's given us, the peace and the rest and the joy, by spending time with Him. When Mondays threaten to take over, let's recite Scripture to ourselves, speaking His words into our lives so that we can live with hope and anticipation.
Jesus came that we would have life and have it abundantly, not only on weekends or special occasions, but every day. Even on Mondays.
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly." John 10:10, NET
#Jesus came that we would have abundant #life, not only on weekends or special occasions, but every day. Even on Mondays. via @emilyrconrad
Photo credits
Calendar and dogs photos are my own
Stacked gifts photo by Kari Shea on Unsplash
Gifts on doorstep photo by Element5 Digital on Unsplash
December 21, 2017
The Wonder of Finding Favor with God
by Emily Conrad
I've read a lot of Christmas devos and blog posts over the years, and frankly, I sometimes hesitate to click through to read them now. Haven’t I heard it all before? Well, no, and that’s why I clicked on one and started skimming this morning.
I confess, my calloused approach to the post took an even worse turn: I nearly skipped the verses that had been included in the post because they are so very familiar.
Catching myself, I ordered my focus back up the page. I can concentrate on a couple short verses. This is the Bible, after all. God's Word. If I'm going to skim anything, let it not be that.
I don't know if it was the point I thought the post was going to make (but didn't) or if it was the way reading on my phone broke the verse up into lines, but I was struck nearly to tears by the familiar passage:
Read more »
I've read a lot of Christmas devos and blog posts over the years, and frankly, I sometimes hesitate to click through to read them now. Haven’t I heard it all before? Well, no, and that’s why I clicked on one and started skimming this morning.
I confess, my calloused approach to the post took an even worse turn: I nearly skipped the verses that had been included in the post because they are so very familiar.
Catching myself, I ordered my focus back up the page. I can concentrate on a couple short verses. This is the Bible, after all. God's Word. If I'm going to skim anything, let it not be that.
I don't know if it was the point I thought the post was going to make (but didn't) or if it was the way reading on my phone broke the verse up into lines, but I was struck nearly to tears by the familiar passage:
Read more »
December 19, 2017
The Best Gift We Didn't Ask For and 8 Gift Ideas Under $30
by Emily Conrad
I'm not done Christmas shopping, and, yes, I'm aware I have less than a week to finish. What's the hold up? Well, a lot of things, I suppose. I love to give a good gift. I love to be the one to pinpoint that thing you've always wanted but didn't ask for.
I get into trouble with that "didn't ask for" part. If you want a good gift someone didn't ask for, you have to know them well, remember their little likes and dislikes, and know what's different and useful in the recipient's areas of interest. Then, you have to shop until all of that aligns into one reasonably-priced item.
At this point, the difference between my method of gift-giving and God's method cannot be ignored.
The whole reason we give gifts at Christmas as Christians is because of the unreasonably-priced gift God gave: Jesus Christ. He set aside his glory and came to Earth as a baby. He lived and suffered here, teaching, dying, resurrecting, all in the power of a God whose love is lavishly unreasonable. Who is man that He would be mindful of us? And yet, He gave us Jesus and, through Him, the gift of adoption into His family.
This adoption, this invitation to relationship with the Almighty God is just what we need, but let's be honest: Jesus wasn't what we asked for. The Bible says none of us seek God on our own. Jews of Jesus's day were expecting a messiah who would be a political ruler, rather than one whose kingdom was not of this world. They were looking for someone to solve their earthly problems, and often, that's what we want, too. But God gave us what we really need instead. Through Jesus, the best gift we didn't ask for, the gift that sought us out with love before we loved Him, we can receive the gift of eternal life.
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. John 3:16-17, NET
Those reasonably-priced gifts we'll trade this year pale in comparison. Even if we opt to give something extravagant, nothing will top what God offers us. So, as we trade gifts in the coming week, may we also look for (and take advantage of) the opportunity to help someone else unwrap this greatest and first gift.
But speaking of those reasonably-priced gifts, I promised you some ideas.
Part of the problem with finding a gift for a family member or a friend is that if I don't share that person's interest in, say, cooking gadgets, I'm not sure what might be new, interesting, or useful to them. It'd be great if I could bring a foodie with me to point at something and say, "This is a great bet for someone who likes cooking gadgets because ____."
Last night, I took a guess at cooking stuff without an expert along, and we'll see in a few days if I guessed well or not. But, I thought that for any of you who still have shopping to do, I would volunteer favorites of mine for under $30 in a few of my special interest areas. Of course, this will only help if you have someone on your list whose interests overlap with mine, but some of these are pretty popular interests, so it's worth a shot, right?
Before we get to the list, there are some things to know:
First, these ideas are under $30 before any tax or shipping, and this is based on the prices I saw as I wrote this post. Taxes and shipping will vary by site and state.
Second, the links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage from Amazon if you make a purchase through it. It doesn't change your price. If you order through Amazon and have Amazon Prime, the site says their free 2-day Prime shipping option will still get items there before Christmas if you order before Friday, December 22nd.
Third, always check the time frames when ordering online to make sure the item will arrive when you need it! Other than Amazon, I have not checked the shipping time frames or costs. If the shipping doesn't look like it'll work for you, gifts similar to these ideas should be available locally, too.
Happy shopping!
For the coffee lover
Locally roasted coffee. The flavor of coffee that hasn't been sitting on the shelf forever is roasty-toasty-good. Once or twice a year, I make it up to Bayfield, WI and stop in for a bag of Midnight Voyageur from Big Water Coffee. I recently discovered a local health food store sells Collectivo coffee, which is roasted in Milwaukee, WI. To buy locally (since that's fun and you won't have to worry about shipping cost or time), try doing an Internet search to see if there's a roaster near you, or check your local coffee shop or small, local grocery stores. If you can find out which kind of roast your recipient prefers (dark, medium, light, decaf), that will be a big help, but if you don't know, I'd say just go middle of the road with medium.
Coffee grinder. Freshly ground coffee just tastes better, too, in my opinion. (Fresh-roasted coffee ground that morning just before you put it in the coffee maker? Now that's a good cup of coffee!) If your recipient doesn't have one, this could make a good gift, and you should be able to find on at a local department store for under $30.
Aeropress . It takes some playing around to get the right ratio of coffee to water, but once I got it down, I now actually prefer lattes I make at home to those from you-know-which-famous-coffee-chain. It's that good.
Mugs. Christmas mugs. Classy mugs. Funny mugs. I have a mug-collecting problem, and I know I'm not the only one who's always willing to find room for one more. I found some cute ones locally at Hobby Lobby and Target, so you could check there. (The one in the pic above is from Hobby Lobby.) Otherwise, Anthropologie has pretty and cute and whimsical options.
For the dog lover
A convertible leash. Specifically, this one (which is on sale as I type this for more than half off, but I don't know how long that will last). I bought mine locally at Petco after our hound chewed through his normal leash in a couple of unattended minutes, so if shipping cost or time through the site is a problem, you might find this at a pet store near you... Not sure this is a good idea? Here's why I love mine: When we took in for a one-on-one session with a trainer, complaining about the way he reacts to other dogs on walks, one of the first things the trainer did was advise me to use a cross-body leash. This way, he's securely strapped to me, but my hands are free, so if I tense up when I see another dog, I won't yank on his neck, sending that tense energy to my dog. But, that aside, it's great to be able to walk (or run!) with my hands free. And, for those times when you want to tether the dog to a chair or a tree or whatever, this leash is perfect. I can't believe I've been a dog owner for over 15 years and only just discovered these.
For the word lover
Old books. Of course there are used bookstores, but I usually look for these at second-hand shops. Many thrift stores will separate the classics or "literature" from the general fiction titles, so all the good stuff is in one place. I've also found good ones at antique stores. Look for a pretty hardcover (you might have to take off the dust jacket) by an author you've heard of. Bonus points if you find one that matches the color scheme of a room in the recipient's house! Famous titles (or titles by famous authors) in pretty covers are great for decorating--I have stacks of books adding their wordy charm to several rooms in the house. And, I sometimes take one off its display shelf and read it. Many book lovers and writers like to expand their reading with the occasional classic. For one I really want, I might pay up to about $12 or $14, but I often find them for much less.
Great pens. Because, "I'm sick of paper products," said no writer ever (at least, not in my hearing). I like these Zebra Jimnie Gel Rollerball pens. I've never found them locally, but one I have been able to find in town are Tul pens, which are classy-looking and have ink that I think flows nicely.
Bookish T-shirts. Because, let's face it: we're word geeks and we're proud of it. Etsy has a nice selection for both readers and writers, though, again, I'm not sure what their shipping time frames are, so be sure to check.
_______________________
Okay, I hope that's given you some ideas if you still have some shopping to do! But remember, the pressure is off; the most important gift has already been given. We accept that gift through faith. Rather than what we can give back to Him, it's our hearts that matter to God. Let's carry that emphasis on our hearts over into our gift-giving, as well. Let's give what we give--whether seemingly big or seemingly small--with great love.
Because love is the one gift I can assure you everyone on your list deeply needs.
Let's give what we give--whether seemingly big or seemingly small--with great #love. via @emilyrconrad
I'm not done Christmas shopping, and, yes, I'm aware I have less than a week to finish. What's the hold up? Well, a lot of things, I suppose. I love to give a good gift. I love to be the one to pinpoint that thing you've always wanted but didn't ask for.
I get into trouble with that "didn't ask for" part. If you want a good gift someone didn't ask for, you have to know them well, remember their little likes and dislikes, and know what's different and useful in the recipient's areas of interest. Then, you have to shop until all of that aligns into one reasonably-priced item.
At this point, the difference between my method of gift-giving and God's method cannot be ignored.
The whole reason we give gifts at Christmas as Christians is because of the unreasonably-priced gift God gave: Jesus Christ. He set aside his glory and came to Earth as a baby. He lived and suffered here, teaching, dying, resurrecting, all in the power of a God whose love is lavishly unreasonable. Who is man that He would be mindful of us? And yet, He gave us Jesus and, through Him, the gift of adoption into His family.
This adoption, this invitation to relationship with the Almighty God is just what we need, but let's be honest: Jesus wasn't what we asked for. The Bible says none of us seek God on our own. Jews of Jesus's day were expecting a messiah who would be a political ruler, rather than one whose kingdom was not of this world. They were looking for someone to solve their earthly problems, and often, that's what we want, too. But God gave us what we really need instead. Through Jesus, the best gift we didn't ask for, the gift that sought us out with love before we loved Him, we can receive the gift of eternal life.
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. John 3:16-17, NET
Those reasonably-priced gifts we'll trade this year pale in comparison. Even if we opt to give something extravagant, nothing will top what God offers us. So, as we trade gifts in the coming week, may we also look for (and take advantage of) the opportunity to help someone else unwrap this greatest and first gift.
But speaking of those reasonably-priced gifts, I promised you some ideas.
Part of the problem with finding a gift for a family member or a friend is that if I don't share that person's interest in, say, cooking gadgets, I'm not sure what might be new, interesting, or useful to them. It'd be great if I could bring a foodie with me to point at something and say, "This is a great bet for someone who likes cooking gadgets because ____."
Last night, I took a guess at cooking stuff without an expert along, and we'll see in a few days if I guessed well or not. But, I thought that for any of you who still have shopping to do, I would volunteer favorites of mine for under $30 in a few of my special interest areas. Of course, this will only help if you have someone on your list whose interests overlap with mine, but some of these are pretty popular interests, so it's worth a shot, right?
Before we get to the list, there are some things to know:
First, these ideas are under $30 before any tax or shipping, and this is based on the prices I saw as I wrote this post. Taxes and shipping will vary by site and state.
Second, the links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means I get a small percentage from Amazon if you make a purchase through it. It doesn't change your price. If you order through Amazon and have Amazon Prime, the site says their free 2-day Prime shipping option will still get items there before Christmas if you order before Friday, December 22nd.
Third, always check the time frames when ordering online to make sure the item will arrive when you need it! Other than Amazon, I have not checked the shipping time frames or costs. If the shipping doesn't look like it'll work for you, gifts similar to these ideas should be available locally, too.
Happy shopping!
For the coffee lover
Locally roasted coffee. The flavor of coffee that hasn't been sitting on the shelf forever is roasty-toasty-good. Once or twice a year, I make it up to Bayfield, WI and stop in for a bag of Midnight Voyageur from Big Water Coffee. I recently discovered a local health food store sells Collectivo coffee, which is roasted in Milwaukee, WI. To buy locally (since that's fun and you won't have to worry about shipping cost or time), try doing an Internet search to see if there's a roaster near you, or check your local coffee shop or small, local grocery stores. If you can find out which kind of roast your recipient prefers (dark, medium, light, decaf), that will be a big help, but if you don't know, I'd say just go middle of the road with medium.
Coffee grinder. Freshly ground coffee just tastes better, too, in my opinion. (Fresh-roasted coffee ground that morning just before you put it in the coffee maker? Now that's a good cup of coffee!) If your recipient doesn't have one, this could make a good gift, and you should be able to find on at a local department store for under $30.
Aeropress . It takes some playing around to get the right ratio of coffee to water, but once I got it down, I now actually prefer lattes I make at home to those from you-know-which-famous-coffee-chain. It's that good.
Mugs. Christmas mugs. Classy mugs. Funny mugs. I have a mug-collecting problem, and I know I'm not the only one who's always willing to find room for one more. I found some cute ones locally at Hobby Lobby and Target, so you could check there. (The one in the pic above is from Hobby Lobby.) Otherwise, Anthropologie has pretty and cute and whimsical options.
For the dog lover
A convertible leash. Specifically, this one (which is on sale as I type this for more than half off, but I don't know how long that will last). I bought mine locally at Petco after our hound chewed through his normal leash in a couple of unattended minutes, so if shipping cost or time through the site is a problem, you might find this at a pet store near you... Not sure this is a good idea? Here's why I love mine: When we took in for a one-on-one session with a trainer, complaining about the way he reacts to other dogs on walks, one of the first things the trainer did was advise me to use a cross-body leash. This way, he's securely strapped to me, but my hands are free, so if I tense up when I see another dog, I won't yank on his neck, sending that tense energy to my dog. But, that aside, it's great to be able to walk (or run!) with my hands free. And, for those times when you want to tether the dog to a chair or a tree or whatever, this leash is perfect. I can't believe I've been a dog owner for over 15 years and only just discovered these.
For the word lover
Old books. Of course there are used bookstores, but I usually look for these at second-hand shops. Many thrift stores will separate the classics or "literature" from the general fiction titles, so all the good stuff is in one place. I've also found good ones at antique stores. Look for a pretty hardcover (you might have to take off the dust jacket) by an author you've heard of. Bonus points if you find one that matches the color scheme of a room in the recipient's house! Famous titles (or titles by famous authors) in pretty covers are great for decorating--I have stacks of books adding their wordy charm to several rooms in the house. And, I sometimes take one off its display shelf and read it. Many book lovers and writers like to expand their reading with the occasional classic. For one I really want, I might pay up to about $12 or $14, but I often find them for much less.
Great pens. Because, "I'm sick of paper products," said no writer ever (at least, not in my hearing). I like these Zebra Jimnie Gel Rollerball pens. I've never found them locally, but one I have been able to find in town are Tul pens, which are classy-looking and have ink that I think flows nicely.
Bookish T-shirts. Because, let's face it: we're word geeks and we're proud of it. Etsy has a nice selection for both readers and writers, though, again, I'm not sure what their shipping time frames are, so be sure to check.
_______________________
Okay, I hope that's given you some ideas if you still have some shopping to do! But remember, the pressure is off; the most important gift has already been given. We accept that gift through faith. Rather than what we can give back to Him, it's our hearts that matter to God. Let's carry that emphasis on our hearts over into our gift-giving, as well. Let's give what we give--whether seemingly big or seemingly small--with great love.
Because love is the one gift I can assure you everyone on your list deeply needs.
Let's give what we give--whether seemingly big or seemingly small--with great #love. via @emilyrconrad
