Marydean Draws

September 17, 2015 gospel•joy•printable•readerfavorite

The JOY source + FREE printable Scripture cards

My mother-in-law asked me to create this joy Scripture card set for a church event recently. We love how they turned out, so we’re sharing them with you today! I love these verses because they remind me of our joy source: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:12 “Let all who take refuge in you be glad, Let them ever sing for joy.” Psalm 5:11 “You make known to...

September 9, 2015 marriage•readerfavorite

Subtle ways to bless your husband

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:12 I was tempted to name this post “How I failed as a wife the first eight years of my marriage,” but that would make this about me and not the sweet ways God is at work. Eight years ago when I began this journey of marriage, I thought I was ready with hearty recipes, coordinated throw pillows, cute lingerie, and my marriage books, but the...

August 27, 2015 Uncategorized

Why I blog: one year in

Some of you are new here and some are already dear friends, so since I’ve been writing here a year now, I thought I’d spend a post reflecting on why I do this! Some of these reasons weren’t clear to me when I started. I simply felt the need to share things I was learning and drawing, and thought this might be something God was leading me to do. “A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can...

August 19, 2015 homeschool•kids•motherhood•printable•readerfavorite

PRINTABLE Love & Encouragement Notes

It’s back-to-school time again and I know there’s some kiddos (or adults!!) out there that need some words of affirmation and encouragement. I think of these words: “The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” Proverbs 16:21 & 24 ESV I made some simple printable cards you can use to share some sweet, life-giving words wtih your kiddos. This file is...

August 14, 2015 kids•motherhood

Renovating Motherhood

You know in those home improvement shows when the homeowners decide to move into the house during remodeling? It’s usually highly stressful and a big mess. God is a little like that in that when He adopted me as His daughter, He took on the project of lifetime. But He doesn’t wait to make His home in me until I’m cleaned up and complete. The Holy Spirit took up residence in me long ago when He made me His...

August 6, 2015 burdens•neediness•trials•weakness

When weak is strong

Have I mentioned that this season of motherhood is wearing me out? I know I’m not the only one feeling more weak than strong these days. We all have our own brew of weaknesses made up of internal and external factors. My recipe? Allergy headaches. Anxiety. Depression in the family tree. Introversion in house of chatty girls. Seven months of interrupted sleep. Sometimes I wonder why God knit me together this way (Psalm 139:13). Wouldn’t I be more effective strong? ...