Author: kristenrupp525
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The Grace of His Gaze
Wrap presents. Put up decorations. Maybe I need new lights since mine don’t sparkle just like the ones I saw on Instagram? Finish Christmas shopping. Can we all stay healthy for everything we have planned? How can I make this Christmas special for those around me? If you’re anything like me, this might be a…
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The Lost Treasure: the joy in being found
Have you ever felt lost before? Or maybe you feel lost while you are reading this? I’ve been there before and it is a lonely place. There is good news, friends! We can be found. I hope you’ll join me on my blog today to read about the ultimate finder of lost things. I pray…
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Rewriting Our Scars: is there even beauty there?
My son’s scream jolts me out of my thoughts as we walk over the rocky trail on a daily adventure. Sticking out his bottom lip, he looks up at me, “Mommy, it’s red. I’m bleeding. I need a Bandaid.” I reach into my bag and pull out a neon colored Bandaid, pulling off the wrapper…
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From Pressed to Praise
Recently, anxiety got the best of me by attaching securely like Velcro—hanging on my shoulder, pressing my chest, and making it hard to breathe. In that moment, I knew I needed to go to sleep, hopeful the morning would bring peace rather than anxiety. However, when I awoke, I couldn’t dislodge the restrictive strap of…
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A Heartbeat of Hope
I don’t know about you, but sometimes hope bubbles out of me and other days hope hangs elusively—just out of reach. Three years ago, I came close to losing hope. With the passing of each day, hope brightens, like rain easing after a downpour. After almost losing hope, its rediscovery is precious, something safely clasped.…
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The best kind of hope
“I really hope my kite will fly today,” my daughter says uneasily. Several Easters ago, both kids received kites and her brother’s soared beautifully, while hers struggled to make it off the ground. “We will give it our best shot,” I encourage. However, inside I also wonder if the kite will take flight. Uncertainty creeps…
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Morning Marathon: where does our help come from?
I glance at the clock. It’s 9:15 AM and I already feel like I’ve run a marathon. Note: I’ve not run a marathon, and those of you who have, you are rockstars! I know my body is not near as tired as I write this as yours is after a race. You, half-marathon or marathon…
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Worthy: God’s Whisper in Despair
You know those nights when tears soak your pillowcase leaving behind puffy eyes? Or tossing and turning is a constant companion, leaving you exhausted to face the day ahead? You are not alone; I’ve had those days, too. Take heart, dear one, God’s Word offers us a sweet truth for our worn-down souls. Even if…
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The Satisfier of Our Souls
Do laundry, pick up groceries, clean toilets, vacuum the endless dust bunnies, when was the last time I washed the sheets, and oh yeah, what are we even having for dinner? Does this list sound familiar to you? Often, I find myself believing the completion of this endless to-do list, will provide contentment. But, will…
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We might bend, but we won’t break
As a young child, I vividly remember fearfully peering out our basement window, watching the once tall tree giants bending, almost like Gumby, as tornado-like winds blew across our backyard. They are going to snap, I remember thinking. Now as an adult, I often feel like those trees, thinking, I’m going to snap. Have you…
Refuge of Grace 