Many times it’s harmless. Not every new slang word or phrase is cause for suspicion, but sometimes, a pause is warranted. 

In the last couple of months, there’s been a few times my radar has gone off, and I’ve made a point to have a conversation with whoever is using it.

The goal isn’t to make them feel bad or judge who they heard it from, but to teach them to slow down, think things through, and learn how to filter what they hear through God’s Word.

So far, our conversations have gone well and they’re receptive once we break a few things down. 

In case anyone else finds themselves in the same boat, I thought I’d share how I handle talking through slang and why.

P.S. If these questions would be helpful for your family too, there’s a free printable waiting for you at the bottom of this post.

• What do you think this word or phrase means?
• Let’s see how the dictionary defines it.
• Does the definition line up with how the word/phrase is being used?
• If not, how is it being used?
• Are there any cultural implications with the word/phrase?
• Are there any spiritual implications with the word/phrase? 
• Based on what we’ve learned and talked about do you feel it’s wise to keep using it?

Let’s break this down a little more with the most recent slang word we’ve talked through: aura. 

What do you think this word or phrase means?

Their answer was no. They had no idea what it meant, but a lot of other kids were saying it. I like to take these opportunities to chat about whether it’s wise to say and/or do something just because someone else is doing it and/or because they wanted to fit in.

As adults, we have the foresight to know those actions can often lead to trouble and/or people pleasing traits. Hard things to break once patterns set in.

In our house, we like to encourage our kids to be ok with looking different. The entirety of Jesus’ ministry on earth was just that, being and doing things different – going against the grain. So we often have side conversations on how difficult this can be, how God knew it would be difficult for us, and that’s why His Word was given to us.

Let’s see how the dictionary defines it.

Merriam Webster Dictionary: 

1. noun: a distinctive quality or atmosphere that seems to surround someone or something; slang: the quality of being impressively cool, charming, or appealing 

2. Medical: a subjective sensation (as of voices, colored lights, or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition 

3. an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being 

4. a luminous radiation 

Merriam Webster Slang: 

‘Cool’ factor; star power; stylish swagger 

Where does aura come from?

The slang meaning of aura stems from the word’s sense meaning “a distinctive atmosphere or quality someone or something is felt to emanate”—that is, the energy or ‘vibe’ given off.

It spread online in the early 2020s, especially in reference to athletes exhibiting prowess in their sport. In summer 2024, aura went viral on social media, especially TikTok, often in connection to a video trend in which people playfully quantified how many so-called aura points someone gained or lost relative to variously smooth or awkward social scenarios.

Dictionary.com:

Mostly the same as Merriam Webster, but with this addition, “Classical Mythology: a companion of Artemis who bore twins to Dionysus. Zeus changed her into a spring because, in a fit of madness, she had killed one of her children.”

Urban Dictionary:

This is always an interesting one. People can add their own words. I didn’t show this to my child for that very reason. But, when looking up aura, most of the definitions were connected to life energy, spiritual beliefs, or a girl’s personality. It shows the trend.

Wikipedia: 

I take this site with a grain of salt, but it’s sometimes useful for learning how the modern world sees/uses the word. Here it’s defined with mostly paranormal/energetic uses.

Google Search:

Again, this is simply a reference, but sheds more light. 

“The word aura originates from the Latin aura, meaning “breeze” or “breath of air,” which was borrowed from the Ancient Greek aúra (αὔρα), signifying a “gentle breeze” or “soft wind.”…

In English, the term first appeared in the late 14th century with its literal meaning of a “gentle breeze.” Its figurative senses evolved over time, including “subtle emanation” in the 18th century, “characteristic impression” in the mid-19th century, and “spiritual energy field” in the late 19th century.”

Does the definition line up with how the original word/phrase is being used?

Some of the newer slang definitions, yes. The original definition, no. 

It’s not being used to indicate air qualities. 

To make sure we understand exactly what we’re saying and how it may come across to others, let’s take it a step further.

If not, how is it being used?

It might be easy to look at some of the definitions and say, “Oh, well they are using it sort of correctly, so that’s ok.” 

But here’s where I like to pause and help them think through: is what’s leaving our mouth actually pleasing and honoring to God?

Depending on the word, we may need to look beyond the modern slang definition and consider how the word has been used in other contexts and what it communicates to different people. 

We often do this in Bible studies, so why wouldn’t we slow down and do the same with the words coming out of our own mouths? 

From my own experience, especially knowing aura is sometimes used in other religious contexts, this was important.

I also feel it’s important to consider those around us. We live in an area that is diverse with many ethnicities and cultures being represented, so we can’t assume that just because a word means xyz to us it’s being used the same everywhere else.

Are there any cultural implications with the word/phrase?

I recently witnessed an example of something meaning one thing in one culture, but it was actually derogatory in another. It was a situation where many people from all over the world were gathered in one place.

A younger person was sharing a dance they created to a specific song. I’ve never heard the song before, so I don’t know the origin, but some of the lyrics were “pinky up”. Many of us laughed at the antics and enthusiasm. However, after the song, several people from one country explained pinky up (including the physical act of holding a pinky up) was the equivalent to our American version of the middle finger in their culture.

I’m sure that’s not what this young person intended, but it’s a prime example of how different things have different meanings to those with different cultural backgrounds.

I reminded my child of that example, in generic terms of how something meant to be harmless and fun could cause great misunderstanding. 

We also talked about how, depending on someone’s religious or spiritual background, the word aura may carry meanings very different from the slang our culture intends. 

Using it in front of someone who practices certain types of energy based healing, it could be seen as referencing their energetic field.

Are there any spiritual implications with the word/phrase? 

Based on the information learned so far, I shared that I didn’t feel comfortable using the word aura casually (as slang being taken out of context).

My child questioned this wanting to know more, which I actually loved because it gave us a chance to talk about what we know from the Bible.

We touched on I Peter 5:8 which warns us to be sober minded because the devil is roaring around looking for opportunities. If we are blindly repeating what others say and do, we’re bypassing our minds, assuming that our words and actions are ok.

In addition, we now know some of the usage of the word aura holds spiritual meaning, in ways not in accordance with God’s Word. Nowhere in the Bible does it reference people’s spiritual energy fields/auras and we know mythology is based on belief of false gods.

We also talked about how everything we do and SAY should be done for the Lord. (Colossians 3:17) 

As Christ followers, we are called to be set apart. Meaning we should act, think, and talk differently than the rest of the world. Our love for God should be constantly on display by honoring Him with literally every aspect of our lives.

Is that a high calling? Even for our young children? Absolutely! But this is where we show and model Philippians 4:13, acknowledging we’ll always fall short on our own (Romans 3:23), so we live set apart using Christ’s power in us.

We’ve also talked with our older children about how certain things can become opportunities for Satan and his evil forces to creep in. 

Although I’m sure my child’s intentions were pure in using the word aura, I cannot say the same for Satan. He will use anything and everything to create barriers in our relationship with God. 

I will never assume that just because someone does something out of innocence means they’re exempt from spiritual attack. I’ve personally witnessed too much, even in our home, to believe otherwise.

Here are some other verses that might be handy.

Proverbs 21:23 – “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.” 

Proverbs 18:21a – “The tongue has the power of life and death,” 

James 3:5-6 “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” 

 Luke 6:43-45 –  “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” 

In Titus 2:7-8, the apostle Paul was instructing Titus to show “soundness of speech” in his teaching so that no one would have anything bad to say about Christ followers. In a way, even our children are teachers because just as they look up to those older than them, younger siblings and friends are looking up to them.

Based on what we’ve learned and talked about, do you feel it’s wise to keep using it?

This is where I like to lean into teaching our kiddos to think both independently and critically.

Dependent thinking can lead to following the masses. Not looking at different angles can lead to an ignorance is bliss mentality. 

If we are to be sober minded, focused on pleasing the Lord, and setting a Christ-like example, it’s helpful to think and question. Especially when pertaining to worldly things.

So, we end our time together by assessing all that we’ve talked about and looking at it anew.

• What do you think now that we’ve looked into how the word is supposed to be used?
• Does using this word make you look smart or foolish?
• Is how this word is being used pleasing to God? 
• Is it possible someone else might misinterpret it and be hurt?
• Could using this word could point someone away from God or discredit your testimony?
• Any other questions?

Usually, it’s almost always felt that the slang word should not continue to be used.

And not because I led by sharing my opinion or bias. I try hard to leave that out and let the kids do the processing.

It’s always a humble reminder for me to not underestimate how God is working in their hearts.

When they ask what to do when people around them continue to use the word, I usually suggest they ignore it or respond with words they know and understand. 

It’s not our place to judge or parent other people. It’s our place to set the best example we can by living set apart.

Overall, this process isn’t really about one particular slang word. Next month there might be something new. My hope isn’t to create a growing list of words to avoid. Rather to teach my children how to thoughtfully evaluate what they hear through the lens of Scripture. 

It was recently brought to my attention that Jesus often answered questions with His own questions. Rarely, did He provide a straight out answer.

Likewise, this series of questions is meant to help my children do their own thinking.

I would much rather have these sometimes difficult conversations with my kiddos while they are young. It allows us to walk them through it and share our own mistakes.

More importantly, it helps them form thoughts/opinions/beliefs based on their own homework and God’s Word, not just someone else’s word.

Words still slip out sometimes when emotions are high (good and bad), but it’s usually followed by a quick look of chagrin letting me know it was an oops. 

At the end of the day, all of us are learning and trying our best together.

Keep These Questions Handy

If you think these questions might come in handy someday, I’ve put together a simple printable you can download below. You can also save the graphic to your phone for quick reference.

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In the first post of this series, I simply told the story. In the second post, I shared some of the quieter aftermath — the lack of words, the pulling back, and the slow realization that I needed to bring my emotions to God instead of holding them in.

Now, looking back, I can see how God was strengthening something in me I didn’t even realize was weak.

This final post is about what He taught me in the process. I’ll reference parts of the injury and recovery, but gently.

Lean Into Laughter

At times, all I could do was laugh. The opposite was tears, and I was tired of those. Laughter truly is some of the best medicine.

The night of the accident, I will never forget running around the house and into the shop to find materials Jason could remake his temporary splint with. I’m pretty sure my eyes bulged when he first told me his plan. The splint dried in a way that left his wrist bent in a very uncomfortable, painful position.

I didn’t want him to be uncomfortable, but I was also exhausted, and adrenaline was still surging. I just wanted to sit down and try to process what the injuries meant. Instead, I was grabbing paint sticks, wood toy blocks, foam, and super glue. Have I mentioned he has a machinist background? Lol

At some point, I started laughing over the absurdity of it all and felt better.

The removable pins in his finger looked like big white bug eyes sticking out of his hand. It was unnerving at first, but with six weeks to go, we needed to adapt. After Jason made the first joke about them, it broke the ice for us to feel more relaxed in talking about the pins.

There were several points throughout where we just laughed about things. And maybe it wasn’t even about the accident, but about the kids doing something funny, or turning some issue with the house into a joke, perhaps even telling ourselves we would look back on this one day with humor or appreciate the unexpected way God chose to get our attention.

When you don’t know what else to do,  just try laughing. 

Healing Takes Time

Obviously physical healing of the injury takes time. However, the mental/emotional injury takes time to heal as well. In some cases, this may take even longer than the physical aspect. 

I can’t speak for Jason, but I can tell you I was a mess the first several weeks. The day after the accident, there was more tree trimming to do before equipment was returned. As helpers made the first pull of the chainsaw, I almost lost my breakfast. It was too much, too soon, and yet I knew it needed to be done.

It was very hard to get my body to re-regulate. I physically felt a tension, similar to an adrenaline rush, for a long time. It left me tired, snappy, and stressed.

When the removable pins got infected and the antibiotics made Jason sick, it was like my body started processing the initial injury all over again. Just after the soft cast was removed, I felt all sorts of unpleasantness over the visual reminders he would always have. 

During therapy the progress seemed slow, and I became nervous. His hand was still swollen a month later and nothing seemed to help reduce it permanently. It was a relief to discover a possible cause, (Some of the flesh on the biggest laceration was too mangled to use. This meant the surrounding skin had to be pulled unnaturally tight to close.) We were grateful to know how to work with it, but I’ll admit, it made me squeamish to massage the scar tissue at first.

As December approached, I could feel my body was holding onto things. Even though the pins had been removed, stitches were gone, and skin was healing, something inside me was hanging on.

I was reminded of something I learned years ago in Bessel Van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score — that our bodies hold onto trauma in all sorts of fascinating and frustrating ways.

So, I began to pray that God would help release whatever was needed.

Trauma: Big T, Little t

As I waited to see how God would work, I reminded myself it was ok to call what I was experiencing trauma. I didn’t at first, because it felt dramatic and silly.

I recently read a description of trauma that made a lot of sense to me. No, he didn’t lose his hand, he didn’t die, he didn’t spend weeks in the hospital – those could be considered Trauma with a big “T”. 

However, that doesn’t negate that what happened was still a huge event for him, for me, our kids, that our lives were altered, and that my body was struggling to process – those could be called trauma with a little “t”.

We don’t always get to choose how our body responds to stress. God answered my prayer of release in a few different ways.

I have always been a visual person. One thing I struggled with specifically, was vivid recalls of certain moments flashing before my eyes.

As I was getting ready one morning, pictures of Jason stumbling through the field kept surfacing. My body reacted just as it had the night of the accident — but it ended with dry heaving. Although I found this unusual, I felt emotionally lighter, and it hasn’t happened since.

Another morning I was reading my Christmas Advent devotional. It had beautiful watercolor artwork throughout. This particular day the artwork was dark red peonies. My mind automatically flashed to the crimson stains on clothing and towels that shouldn’t have been. I sat in the chair with tears streaming down my face for a couple of minutes. Again, it felt unusual, but I felt another level of lightness.

I thought I was doing pretty good until I decided to share some of this story and sat down to write. My entire body tensed, hands felt shaky, stomach turned, it was like a small current of energy thrummed through my body. 

It was then I knew putting this on paper would also be part of my healing process. And it has been. Each time I’ve sat down to write, those physical feelings have abated. The visual slideshows have significantly decreased and I feel more at peace.

Trust Is a Choice

Perhaps the biggest thing God revealed to me in all of this, was that I needed to make a choice. I could continue to question and doubt and spiral, or I could toss those thoughts aside, and choose to trust Him.

For me, that was hard.

On many levels, I knew I needed to lean into my faith. But man was that difficult.

For a couple months, it felt like things just kept falling further apart. Despite my prayers, the prayers of others, and the work put forth. 

Somedays, I actually asked God if He was still for us. 

Deep down, I knew the answer. Of course He was. Many times throughout the Bible we’re reminded God will never leave us or forsake us. 

And so, I had to constantly make a choice. 

Would I choose to trust God, His plan, His timing? Or would I choose to muster through on my own fleeting strength? 

Let me tell you, the latter just led to a deeper, darker pit.

I had to bring myself to a place of truly surrendering any outcome and letting go of any semblance of control to fully trust God.

Was it scary at times? For sure! But there was also this sweet sense of comfort.

Even when it makes the least sense and requires great effort, choosing to trust God has always brought me closer to Him.

Friends, thank you for being here and allowing me further healing by sharing this story with you. I hope something here has been helpful for you.

I continue to be amazed at God’s grace and provision as we keep taking small steps forward. 

Life looks different, but in a good way. God knew what Jason and I needed, and while the circumstances were not what I would have chosen, I am thankful, because I have definitely grown closer to the Lord through it all. 

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But honestly, if you would have asked me how I felt about my faith the first two months, I’m not sure how I would have answered. 

Was God still good? For others, yes. For me (us), it didn’t seem like it.

It was an exhausting time of trying to manage the kids’ emotions and reactions, figuring out how best to support Jason, starting our homeschool year, finishing up the gardens, and starting and finishing the fall beef harvest on the farm.

Then there was deciding how to notify business customers that there would be a major delay – all on top of the normal day to day “mom” things. 

There wasn’t much bandwidth for quiet time, let alone my morning walks with God in the woods, which has always helped ground me.

Many days, I was happy to put the kids to bed without breaking down in front of them (doing it in private felt safer.)

For a while it felt like blow after blow. 

While Jason was in recovery after his surgery, I heard the dreaded words no one wants to hear. I was anticipating them since surgery went longer than expected. But it was still a sucker punch to hear, “I’m sorry, unfortunately there was more damage than we thought.” 

The room tilted as I held my breath, realizing I would have to be the one to break it to Jason when he woke up. Not one or two, but four tendons had been severed, which explained why he could only move his thumb. Some of them rolled back quite a ways, so the incision went farther up his forearm and wrist than planned. 

The removable pins portion of surgery went well and everything was stable there.

Therapy was required and would start after the soft cast came off, with an anticipated recovery of six months.

Now, Jason works with his hands in just about every aspect of life. At his regular job, he works with machines and does machinist things. His side business is custom wood working. We live on a farm with animals, in an older house. Hands are a necessity.

It was hard to imagine what life, let alone finances, would look like with this setback.

As I struggled to process the eight million things going through my mind (normally just one million), there were a few things I found helpful.

It’s Ok Not to Have Words

I became really good at saying something to the effect of, “I’m not sure.” As a logistical planner, who thrives on organization and researching to have sound answers, this was completely new and hard for me.

Our lives were filled with so many well intentioned people, who truly cared, that questions became inevitable no matter where we went. 

But the honest truth was – I didn’t always have an answer. 

When would daddy get better? Why did this happen to daddy? Why is daddy groaning? What is this discharge? Should we go back in? Is this a normal reaction to antibiotics? When will the orders be ready? How will these outdoor projects get wrapped up before winter? What happens if the short-term disability doesn’t cover monthly costs?

At first, I felt guilty not having solid information to share. Especially to the kiddos who were looking to me to have it together, to help them process, and to say everything would be ok. 

Would it all be ok? Yes. I just wasn’t sure when or how.

Somewhere along the way, I came to grips with not having all the answers. Once I let my desire to be in control and know the plan fall to the way side, providing vague answers stopped bothering me as much.

Even so, I eventually became burned out and withdrew.

It’s Ok to Withdraw – For a While

As a mom and wife, I felt a certain sense of pressure to always be on/available, to maintain the status quo in the house. 

As a Christ follower attending church, I gave polite, standard answers. Yes, we were doing fine. Yes, we’re thankful it wasn’t worse. Yes, we’re managing. 

As a family member, I shared more information, but it was usually about Jason and the kids. 

As a friend, I didn’t have much energy left, so I began avoiding tough (for me) conversations and deflecting. Then, I started giving them the same rote replies I gave others. 

Withdrawing for a time is helpful – if it’s done thoughtfully – but I was on the verge of the opposite.

It took a couple of weeks for me to realize I wasn’t balancing the withdrawal well. Soon, my plain Jane answers were being given to everyone, even the kiddos.

Two of my close friends were the first to notice. Pulling away from the safe space they offered was rather silly. I didn’t have to pretend with them, have all the answers, or look put together. I could just be and they would accept it.

So why was I withdrawing from people who just wanted to lift me up?

In a way, I think I was in some sort of self-preservation mode. 

But I was also re-learning how to take my heaviest emotions to God.

Feelings to God First

On the scant mornings I was able to get a walk in, they looked extremely different. 

Gone was the litany of praises, seeing God in nature, tears of joy, praying with the cattle, and coveting the whisper of wind in my hair.

Instead, angry words filled the air, tears of despair fell, prayer felt flat, and the inevitable gloomy skies on those days wrapped me like a cloak.

I had a lot to tell God.

The accident itself was enough. So what was with the continuing fall out? 

Lord, don’t you remember I had a conversation with Jason literally the night before his accident that I wanted our lives to slow down? That there was too much? That I needed a break?

Some break you gave me!

There was the gut wrench when the soft cast was removed and we saw the lacerations along with the incisions for the first time since surgery. A railroad track is what came to my mind.

Then, the right pin on his finger got infected. After going back and forth for a few days an antibiotic was prescribed. 

The antibiotic made Jason extremely sick. He lost what energy he did have along with 10 pounds in two days. 

When that one seemed to clear up, the left pin got infected.

Therapy was progressing slowly. 

Finances grew thinner.

Why God, why?

In my exhaustion and frustration, I had forgotten to talk with God. Sure, I was “talking at” him, but I was often too spent to pause and listen for a response. 

What I shared with God was ugly and raw. I’m so thankful He’s a gracious, forgiving and loving Father. I’m also thankful I didn’t spew all those words to anyone else.

In the following weeks, as life developed a new cadence, I was able to squeeze in more walking and something started to change.

I’ve been through enough counseling to know it’s not healthy to hold things in. 

And God knew what my heart was really feeling anyway, so why hold back?

The more I was completely honest with God, the easier the conversations became. They slowly turned from angry lashed out words, to desperate pleas for help, to noticed surroundings, to offers of gratitude. 

Once I got to the point where I could see God’s provision for our family, my relationship with Him made new strides.

Things were not wrapped up with a pretty pink bow yet, but it was easier to trust God again. 

With that, the real rebuilding could begin.

In the final post for this story, I’ll share what God taught me. I won’t say healing is complete yet considering how my body has reacted to just writing these posts. 

However, God is good and I have faith in Him and His timing.

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The post Holding Onto Faith: Processing the Hard Days appeared first on Blooming Rock Homestead.

That was me last August. 

*Before you continue reading, just a heads-up that this story touches on a traumatic season in our family, including injury and emotional struggle. I’ve shared honestly, but with care and without graphic detail.

What started as a project day full of excitement because we had “big equipment” home and were taking care of a problem tree turned into catastrophe in the final stretches.

This was not any tree. We think it was on the property from the beginning. Over 130 years ago. The soft maple, over five feet in diameter, had been losing life for a while. Just a couple months prior, a two foot thick limb broke off and landed where we parked our vehicles.

By God’s grace, my SUV was in the autoshop otherwise it would have been totaled (never so thankful for a repair bill). The truck had several new dents, dings, and a few missing trim pieces, but was still operable.

That was “the last straw,” so we arranged to rent some equipment, gathered some helping hands, and planned to remove the offending maple tree.

The day had been progressing well and everything was running smoothly. Some new friends stopped by and the kids were enjoying play time in the back yard. The monstrous maple was gone. It was pretty much hollow inside, and boy, did the front yard look different!

There were a few other branches in the same area, not nearly as high to trim up, so the guys moved ahead to the next spot, just next to the pasture. 

Up went the basket, trimmed a branch, used hand signals to direct positioning, trimmed another branch, more hand signals. 

Then like some nightmare the entire lift tipped forward in slow motion – with my husband in the basket, not realizing what was happening.

By the time he turned around to question the positioning of the basket, it was too late.

From where I was standing, I couldn’t quite see all that transpired next. 

Just a sinking feeling in my gut after realizing he hadn’t been able to jump off soon enough. 

The kids saw everything and ran away screaming.

I started to run forward, saw Jason stumbling through the field, his right hand holding onto his left in an unusual way, gray face, crimson fabric and liquid in places it shouldn’t be.

A helping neighbor got to him faster, so I hightailed it into the house to gather:

• my purse & phone
• towels (grabbed a kitchen one, chucked it on the floor, this called for a bath towel)
• apple (anticipating a blood sugar cash, funny what you think of)
• water (couldn’t easily grab one, moving on)

My hands were trembling profusely as I slid into the driver’s seat, fumbling to grab the phone out of my purse so the person riding with us could call ahead. 

Jason asked if I was ok to drive. I paused, asked God to be my hands and feet and tossed my phone in the back. I pulled into reverse with steady hands, and focused on listening to his breathing to mitigate hyperventilating if needed, which it was. (Jason mentioned later that my years racing were not lost. It might have been noted I was cresting three digits on some corners. It’s amazing how your brain flips a switch.)

The next several hours were a blur between waiting, poking and prodding, x-rays, me praying Jason wouldn’t pass out, me walking away so I wouldn’t toss my cookies, more waiting, lots of questions. 

What happened? Short story- the full weight of everything (basket, boom, lift itself) had crushed his left hand in a way that bent his wrist into an unnatural position.

Could he move all his fingers? No. Only his thumb.

Was there feeling in all the fingers? Yes, praise God!

Did we know what the white thing sticking out of the wrist laceration was? Yes – we’ve butchered enough animals to know it was a tendon.

Could we guess the finger was broken? Yes – the open laceration there made it fairly obvious.

There’s also a bone chip missing on the ulna. Ok.

Did we understand a specialist would probably be needed and we’d be sent home with superficial stitches just to keep things together enough? Um, yep.

Ok, then, they’ll call you sometime Monday to schedule an appointment. Super.

Amazingly, no other bones were broken, just massive amounts of swelling and bruising.

The initial appointment with the specialists went much the same. It was obvious one tendon was severed. Exploratory surgery could be an option if we wanted it, which we absolutely did since he still couldn’t move the majority of his fingers. 

We went home and waited another couple days for surgery, praying for minimal damage and quick recovery.

Although this was probably the tip of the iceberg, it didn’t feel as hard as what followed after surgery five days later. That’s really where the anchors of my faith were tested.

It’s really easy to claim we have faith and demonstrate it when life’s waters are placid. 

It’s a whole nother thing, when rippling waves emerge and then turn into crashing tidal waves.

I’m not sharing this story for pity or personal attention. If anything, you’ll see how I fell short in many ways.

But I do want to draw attention to God and His presence, which prevented me from drowning.

Being on the other side now, there are several things I’d love to share with you that helped me along the way. Things that made holding onto faith through trauma a blessing in disguise for me.  

In the next couple posts, I’ll share the various stages of emotional healing I went through, how all of this ultimately strengthened my faith, ways I saw God provide, and why I waited a while to share this story. 

Thank you for allowing me this space to share!

P.S. If you don’t want to miss the next posts, you’re welcome to join our newsletter family. I’ll also be sharing them on Facebook.

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Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Have you ever caught yourself questioning God’s faithfulness? Maybe it was an unanswered prayer, a series of unfortunate events, or unresolved personal turmoil. Whatever caused it, I’m sure it left you feeling raw and perhaps even a little uneasy.

That happened to me this fall. I can still remember feeling physically whiplashed when God responded to a thought running through my mind.

A couple weeks after Jason’s accident I was exhausted for a variety of reasons. Not only was I processing my husband’s injury and trying to maintain normalcy for the kids, but my dad was also in and out of the hospital. 

There was the upcoming school year to prepare for, vegetable produce to gather, beef harvest to coordinate, and several outdoor projects that needed to be wrapped up without my strong hubby’s help.

During that time, there were moments when it was difficult to talk with friends and family. I felt joy for their successes, fun trips, and beautiful renovations. Honestly though? It was hard to stomach those moments when I was thankful to make it through the day without breaking down in front of my children.

One morning, after hearing about another answered prayer for a friend, these words flashed through my mind: Well, even though our life is a gigantic mess right now, at least God is faithful to others.

When God is Faithful to Everyone Else

If you’ve walked through a situation where you felt gutted and left wondering what’s next, you might be nodding your head right now. 

As someone who’s known about Jesus her whole life and lived through His redemptive work, I immediately felt chastised for my thought as God stirred uncomfortable emotions.

“Do you really think I pick and choose who I am faithful to? Do I have favorites? Or only have so much faithfulness allotted? Are you sure I’m only faithful to you sometimes? Perhaps in your exhaustion, you’ve stopped noticing me.”

I’m thankful God’s reply was cloaked in love. There was no guilt trip. Just a feeling of warmth and comfort, as if a parent was tipping their child’s tearstained face up to theirs.

My Heavenly Father expanded my tunnel vision to see the extraordinary ways He was and is providing for us. 

1. Jason’s hand was still attached. Amen!
2. Although there was much work to be done, Jason’s parents live nearby and stepped up in big ways to help.
3. The windows may not have gotten replaced, but they still kept the rain and snow out.
4. My dad had more testing to do, but each one got him closer to a diagnosis.
5. The gardens looked a little wild, and also like nutritious homegrown produce to fill the cellar.

For each groan I lifted up to God, came a gentle whisper of provision and assurance.

He hadn’t forgotten me, or my family, at all. It wasn’t that He was only faithful to some and not others. In the busyness of those days, I had forgotten how to fight for sacred time with God in His Word.

My prayers were still being delivered, heard, and answered. I just didn’t have a clear vision of how God was working for our good – because it looked different than how I pictured it.

Ways to Recognize God is Faithful to All

It can be hard to drown out the distractions that attempt to block our direct line of sight with God, especially when life is chaotic. Many things that truly need to be tended to, demand our time and attention.

This is why it’s so important to carve out time to seek God. Especially in hard seasons. Even more important, is to make a point to be still and listen for God’s response.

As Christ followers, our Heavenly Father desires to lavish us with love. (I John 3:1-2) He does not withhold faithfulness on purpose. He waits in the heavenlies, for us to look up, call out, and surrender ourselves to Him.

Part of surrendering to Him requires us to lay down what distracts us from Him.

Scripture offers the following encouragement when we wonder if God is faithful.

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9

How I Remind Myself God is Faithful

I am certainly not perfect, but here are a few helpful habits that help keep my mind and heart in check when I start to doubt God’s faithfulness.

Morning devotional time

Full disclosure! These are simply my goals. As a busy mom, I have had to adjust priorities and responsibilities to make this happen. There is grace on the days I’m not able to fit this in. However, I am deeply blessed and feel a God-given readiness on the days I can. An added bonus is the example we set for our children when they see us making time to know God intimately.

• Let the Bible/devotion be the first thing I read for the day
• Spend time in prayer, starting with praise
• Allow a few quiet moments after reading and praying to hear God

Practice Gratitude

This may seem like a given, but as I shared above, sometimes our vision of God gets clouded when under great pressure. When this happens, grab a sheet of paper and a pen, and come up with 3 things you can be thankful for. 

Consider how you’ve seen God provide:

• resources (financial/material/connections)
• health (healing/diagnosis/forward movement)
• Family, friends, community
• Knowledge, wisdom, peace. laughter

Keep A Soft Heart

If we read further in Deuteronomy 7, we see another way to keep our eyes open to God’s faithfulness. 

Verses 11 and 12 say, “Therefore, take care to follow the commands, decrees and laws I give you today.  If you pay attention to these laws and are careful to follow them, then the Lord your God will keep his covenant of love with you, as he swore to your ancestors.”

I have learned the following “states of heart” are a surefire way to miss God’s grace and goodness: 

• Distracted
• Hardened
• Unrepentant
• Disobedient
• Ungrateful

Oftentimes, this looks like praying specifically to confess. When we choose to live apart from God, we don’t see His faithfulness as clearly. Sin, no matter the type, equals separation from our Heavenly Father. I’m so thankful for John’s words in I John 1:9 that remind us God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us when we approach Him with a contrite heart.

Father, I pray you be with the ones who are feeling weary and wondering where you are. I know you will meet them in sacred spaces to reveal exactly how you’ve been faithful. Thank you for grace and mercy undeserved as we walk this world trying to stay in step with you. We praise you for being the one and only faithful God, who answers our prayers. Please keep our tender hearts soft and our vision clear as we seek to know you better. In your name we pray, Amen.

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Have you ever had one of those moments where you thought, ‘I couldn’t make this up if I tried’? I had that happen a couple weeks ago when some neighboring cattle broke out of their fencing around midnight and wandered over to our farm.

I kept replaying that morning, and the more I sat with it, the more God used it to point me back to the book of John and the way Jesus cares for us. 

Papa as the Cattle Leader

Let me start with a bit of backstory. Naturally, that night was extremely foggy and you could hardly see a foot in front of you. It was thought the cattle meandering down the road in front of the farm were ours, so they were ushered back into the pasture. 

A quick perimeter check showed no broken fencing. There has been an uptick in coyote activity lately, so perhaps the cattle got spooked and bolted. We didn’t know for sure. 

Come daybreak, still just as foggy but lighter out, Jason went to count the herd. After some walking around, a big black bull head roughly a foot taller than the rest, stood out amongst our reddish brown and gray herd. So did two other little black bull yearlings. 

There is no easy way to sort cattle in an open field, so our only choice was to move the whole group, visitors and all, down to the barn. Whenever there is a cattle drive, our herd knows the routine. Papa leads with the fourwheeler while calling them, and I push from behind. 

But this time, we had neighbors helping. They started walking right into the middle of the herd. I stood dumbfounded for a moment as the cattle became unsettled and spread out. I started cooing to the girls, “it’s ok, it’s ok,” trying to calm them down.

We regrouped, got them down to the barn, and hoped like heck the two bulls (ours is kept in a pasture right next to the barn) wouldn’t start fighting. The visiting cattle were picked up within an hour or so and we went on with our day.

Jesus as the Good Shepherd

The entire debacle was a reminder of how quickly animals grow uneasy when someone or something unknown steps into their space. In the same way, sheep become wary of a voice they do not recognize.

In John chapter 10, Jesus talks about a stranger entering a sheep pen. He is addressing the Pharisees’ unbelief that He is the long awaited Messiah.

Here is part of the picture Jesus gives them:

Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.  The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

Jesus tried again specifying that He was the gate and anyone who entered through His gate would be saved. He called himself the Good Shepherd. The Shepherd who does not run away but lays down his life for his flock.

In verse 14, Jesus reiterates a third time:

Just as our cattle trust and follow Papa because they know his voice, the sheep trust and follow their shepherd because they recognize his voice.

As believers of God, Jesus Christ is our Good Shepherd and we are the sheep. The Good Shepherd offers protection, healing, tender loving care, a sense of belonging, and most importantly salvation. 

All we have to do is listen for our Shepherd and follow His voice.

How do we hear the Good Shepherd’s voice?

Just like our cattle recognize Papa’s voice because they are used to hearing it, we grow more familiar with Jesus’ voice the more time we spend with Him.

So maybe a better question to ask is how do we tune out worldly noise that interferes with the Shepherd’s voice? Life is chock full of good and bad distractions like cell phones, social media, jobs, raising families, caring for loved ones, etc.

It’s tempting to overanalyze and/or overcomplicate the answer to this question. However, I’m learning the best way to make sure I’m hearing the Good Shepherd’s voice is simply this: spend time with Him.

For me that looks like prioritizing time to do these things: 

• read Scripture
• pray honestly
• confess and turn back quickly
• bring everything to God first

In turn, I’m better able to do these things:

• be alert and sober minded
• hold still and listen
• maintain a soft heart
• be obedient
• fall deeper in love with God

Importance of Training Our Ears to Listen

Speaking from experience, if we don’t make a point to recognize the Good Shepherd’s voice, several things might happen. We might assume he’s stopped talking to us. Perhaps panic starts to set in. Trust starts to erode. Belief turns into doubt. 

Before you know it, you’re off the beaten path, lost in a sea of fog, calling for help and unable to discern whether the voice you hear is for you or against you.  

Sometimes, the noise around us hardens our hearts without us even realizing it. Sometimes, when we choose not to prioritize time with God, our hearts become deaf to His voice. 

Jesus reiterated his status as our Good Shepherd to another group of Jewish people, in verses 27-30: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

God is always available to those who call on His name. He is trustworthy. 

Will you in return, fight through the fog and surrender whatever distractions have been pulling you away from the Shepherd’s voice?

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the gift of your Son and eternal life. Thank you for leading, protecting, healing, providing, and loving us. We praise you for knowing each one of us intimately. Help us train our hearts to hear your voice and tune out that which leads us away from you. In your name we pray, Amen.

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The post When Cattle Wander and The Good Shepherd Speaks appeared first on Blooming Rock Homestead.

Every year, it seems the consumerism around Christmas gets a little louder. In our home, we like to keep things simple and centered on the reason we celebrate Christmas. To acknowledge Jesus’ birth, give thanks for the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, and rejoice in the hope we have today.

For us, that looks like a handful of simple practices: 

• Minimizing the focus on gifts
• Talking about Jesus’ birth often
• Decorating our small, artificial tree as a family
• Choosing to slow down and do less when able
• Reading Luke 1-2 before anything else Christmas morning

How I Chose Our Advent Devotionals

This year, I wanted to add something new. Something that creates more intentional family time and keeps Christ-centered conversations going.

So, I started looking into Advent devotionals! 

I spent a couple of days looking through nearly 30 devotional books – for both our family and myself. As I read sample pages, tables of contents, and customer reviews, I was surprised (and honestly, a little saddened) by some of what I found.

This became my list of goals for whatever I’d ultimately choose:

• Meaningful reading and/or thoughtful discussion questions
• A scripture passage for each day (bonus if it connects to other books of the Bible)
• No sarcasm, slang, or overly “silly” talk
• No pop-culture references (hymns and carols are great; movies and celebrity mentions, not so much)
• No glossing over important parts of the biblical account to create a smoother storyline
• Optional: simple, fun family activities

Here are a few Advent devotionals that rose to the top for me and that I feel good recommending if you’re looking for something Christ-centered this season.

Top Advent Devotionals to Consider

• For Families
• For Teenagers
• For Individuals

	The Advent Storybook: 25 Bible Stories Showing Why Jesus Came By Laura Richie, Ages: 3-6 A single page of text each day with life like illustrations. Devotions begin with a key verse and end with a question.
	The Way to the Manger: A Family Advent Devotional By: Jeff and Abbey Land, Ages: 3-8 This one has fun “memory-maker journaling pages” to record answers and questions from year to year.
	Discovering Christmas: A 25-Day Advent Devotional with Activities for Kids By: Amanda Jass, Ages: 3-8 Engaging scenes and text paired with Read About It, Talk About It, Go About It, and Pray About It sections.
	The 25 Days of Christmas: A Family Devotional to Help You Celebrate Jesus By James Merritt, Ages: 5+ Each day offers a Scripture passage to look up, short story, prayer, and simple family activity.
	The Light Before Christmas: A Family Advent Devotional By: Marty Machowski, Ages: 5+ Follow the story of eleven year-old Mia as she and her grandmother prepare for Christmas. Three devotionals per week with hymns.

	Longing for Christmas: 25 Promises Fulfilled in Jesus, Advent Devotional for Teenagers By: Chelsea Kingston Erickson Simple devotionals with scripture reading, questions, and prayers from a variety of contributors.
	Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional By: Asheritah Ciuciu A unique approach, this devotional focuses on the names of God. Each devotional offers thought provoking questions, prayers, and further reading suggestions.

	The Dawning of Indestructible Joy: Daily Readings for Advent By: John Piper, Est. time: 3-5 minutes
	Joy To The World: Daily Readings For Advent By: Charles Spurgeon, Est. time: 3-5 minutes
	Emmanuel: An Invitation to Prepare Him Room at Christmas and Always By: Ruth Chou Simons, Est. time: 5-10 minutes
	The Greatest Gift: Unwrapping the Full Love Story of Christmas By: Ann Voskamp, Est. time: 10-15 minutes

If your family has a favorite Advent tradition or devotional, I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

Looking for year round family devotional ideas? Check out my list of family devotions for busy schedules!

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Have you ever heard the common saying, “The good, the bad, and the ugly”? I saw it three times in five minutes the other day and it got me thinking.

What if, instead of “the good, the bad, and the ugly” we reframed it as “the good and the growth opportunity?” Hear me out. 

I’m not saying bad things don’t happen; they do. I’m not saying we ignore injustice; it should be addressed. I’m not saying we skip grieving, it’s necessary for healing. And I’m not saying trusting God in hard times is easy; it isn’t.

But I am saying, maybe we need a mind shift and a softened heart.

Even in the bad and ugly moments, God is still with us. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When Trusting is Hard

I will be the first to tell you I question those words at times. 

While I was waiting in recovery after Jason’s surgery, the surgeon told me, “I’m sorry, surgery took longer than expected. Unfortunately, there was more damage than we initially thought.” In that moment, I wasn’t sure what God’s plan for Jason’s or our family’s future really was. It certainly didn’t feel prosperous.

That’s why the Lord’s words after verse 11 are so important. In verses 12 into 14 we’re also reminded, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Did you notice how many verbs are in those verses? 

We’re called to take action: to call, come, pray, and seek Him with our whole heart. And in response, God listens, reveals Himself, and leads us out of captivity.

Before we label something as “bad” or “ugly,” we can pause and ask: What part of this situation is holding me captive?

Then we need to decide if we’re going to let it refine or ruin us.

Trusting God in Hard Times

In order to draw closer, truly trust God in hard times, and fully surrender our plans, we need to work through the things holding us captive until we see the good, see God.

And if we look back, and can’t find any good, then perhaps our whole heart is not truly seeking God, but rather some earthly, temporary fix, that allows our flesh to feel better in the moment.

Jason’s hand hasn’t regained full mobility or strength yet. I pray it does every day, but it’s not my plan, it’s God’s plan. 

My job in all this, is to keep calling, coming, praying, and seeking God with my whole heart. 

Once I decided Jason’s accident and all the what-if’s weren’t going to hold me captive, God started revealing himself in so many unexpected ways. My faith has been stretched thin, but my love for God has grown deeper.

God certainly had and has much good planned for us.

Praying God  touches your heart and walks with you through whatever in life has you bound in captivity. He hears and responds to even the faintest whisper with a strong love.

Father, help us to surrender, break down our walls, set aside appearances, give each and every thought up to you, and allow ourselves to be found by you. Help us to break the flesh patterns telling us Your good doesn’t exist. Thank you for being our Healer, Provider, and Strong Tower. Thank you for being Love itself and for breaking through the darkness to bring us Light. We praise you and love you Abba. Amen.

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The post Trusting God in Hard Times: A Path to Growth appeared first on Blooming Rock Homestead.

I didn’t go looking for The Bondage Breaker book because I was in some spiritual crisis or trying to make sense of my past. Was I trying to understand God’s reasoning for the “pause” in my blog? Yes. Absolutely.

But honestly, I picked it up because someone I trusted mentioned it several months prior and it kept coming to mind. However, as I worked through its pages, I began to realize just how deeply it spoke to the unseen struggles I’d carried for years without knowing their spiritual roots.

Discovering Spiritual Freedom

What I didn’t understand then is that many of the invisible battles in my mind were not just “personal issues” or quirks, but real spiritual attacks. And I wasn’t defenseless.

I’d recommend Neil T. Anderson’s book whether you’ve known the Lord for decades or just recently said yes to Him. It offers a solid foundation for understanding your true identity in Christ. It’s also packed with scripture that not only informs but transforms. I didn’t just read it. I worked through it. And in doing so, I found myself:

• pausing for conviction 
• renouncing lies I’ve long held true 
• working through bitterness 
• releasing childhood baggage 
• confessing sin 
• declaring my rights as God’s child 
• enjoying a deeper relationship with God
• experiencing mental and spiritual freedom
• recognizing the enemy’s schemes faster

Understanding the Battle

The book has also given me a new lens through which to look at every situation. 

It helps to understand that even the battles we think are small or unrelated to spirituality are part of a bigger war. Satan, “the prince of the air,” is fighting against God, and we are caught in the middle. The enemy loves to use ignorance, pride, and even our spiritual passivity to his advantage. 

But we don’t have to play his games. We can put on the full armor of God (Eph 6:14-17) and rest in God’s promises of victory.

The mental battles can be won. The strongholds can be broken. The flesh patterns can be rewritten. The lies can be refuted. The generational curses can be stopped. The crippling fear can be shattered. 

As God’s chosen sons and daughters, predestined for adoption through Christ (Eph. 1:5), we have the power to confront the rebel prince, to rebuke the enemy’s advances, and claim freedom through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. 

If anything I’ve shared here resonates with you, I hope you’ll spend some time with this book. God has a way of speaking when our hearts are willing to listen.

Abba Father, I pray you work in the hearts of every soul who’s read even a few of these words today. Help them to know and learn how deeply you love them, how much power is available to them, and how much you desire for them to walk in spiritual freedom. Enable us to stand firm against the devil’s schemes and come alongside those needing help with compassion. Thank you for being the ultimate sacrifice whereby we can be saved and experience true freedom. Amen.

P.S. Wondering what a relationship with God looks like? You can learn more on my Faith page here.

P.P.S. These are just a few other books by co-authored with Neil T. Anderson I’ve also enjoyed and recommend!

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