How Do I Know If I’m Walking by Faith in My Own Strength?
That was the question I grappled with in 2018, only a few weeks after Alan and I stumbled into a season of overwhelming changes, unexpected trials, and faith-stretching uncertainties. As my husband transitioned into a new position at a new job in a new town across the country from our family and friends, I sat alone in my living room.
One day, I woke up feeling physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually depleted.
I had been prayerfully reading and studying the Bible while sharing God’s Word with others regularly. I had been praising God and praying with and for others daily. Still, that morning, I felt empty, isolated, and disconnected from God.
I knew the unerring and unchanging God-breathed words of Scriptures said separation from God is impossible for believers in Jesus. But knowing that truth didn’t stop me from curling up on my sofa, crying out, “Why can’t I feel You with me, Lord?”
That day, as my puppy comforted me with kisses, I looked out the window to see if the rain had stopped so we could go for a short walk. A white crane landed on the muddied bank of the creek that flowed next to my front yard. Rays of sunlight cut through the dark clouds, like a spotlight hitting the majestic bird before it flew away.
God used the vibrant colors of His creation to remind me of His presence as He brought Bible verses to my mind that I’d never intentionally memorized.
Sobbing and singing, praying and praising, I wrote a poem. When the words and my tears stopped flowing, I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Praying for the strength to get up, I winced when the nerve pain in my upper spine and neck triggered muscle spasms and a headache.
Though my body complained, my puppy needed a walk. So, I prayed for strength and endurance as we strolled toward the park under the gray clouded sky.
The colors in the world around me seemed brighter. My heart felt lighter.
I had no idea how often God would use that day to encourage me in the days to come. I definitely didn’t expect God to transform that poem into my second picture book, What Color is God’s Love?, seven years later. He transformed me through that process, too.
When God finally said “yes” to my requests to take us back home, getting what I wanted didn’t work out as I expected.
God kept blessing us and carrying us through as one trial hit us after another. But some days the blows landed harder, and the sting from each jab lasted longer. Some bruises are still lingering, some scars still throb. And some of those hits pushed my husband and I into pockets of uncertainty.
We dove headfirst into one of those pockets on January 14, 2022.
When I woke up that morning, I couldn’t walk.
But, I discovered hope beyond the end of the rope!
When I had nothing left to offer, when I literally could not walk by faith, everything changed!
I wrote the first chapter of Sacred Strides: Walking in the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit after my first night in the hospital.
Over the next three years, I continued prayerfully researching, studying the Scriptures, and interviewing Christians from all walks of life.
In Sacred Strides, I share strong biblical teaching, Scripture-based prayers, and testimonies from ordinary people like you and me. Join me in rejoicing over how the Spirit worked in the lives of God’s people in Scripture and how He is still working today.
I’ve been praying for readers since God gave me the idea to write about walking by faith in 2017.
Sacred Strides is available for PRE-ORDER TODAY wherever books are sold, including Our Daily Bread Publishing, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Christian Book!
To God be the glory, the honor, and the praise!
Let’s commune with the Holy Spirit, rely on His incomparable power, and intimately encounter the one true God in Three Persons ̶ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ̶ as we keep step with Him one sacred stride at a time!
I look forward to connecting with you:
*Engage with me on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Substack, and LinkedIn. I’m most active on Instagram.
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Let’s remain rooted in God’s Word, while growing with God’s People!
I need partners in ministry, people who are willing to help me spread the word about Sacred Strides.
I am excited about partnering with other ministries, joining podcast hosts as an engaging guest, and collaborating with others who share the unerring and unchanging God-breathed words of Scripture with love. Please email me at [email protected] for more information.
However, you don’t need a huge social media following, a blog, or a big church to help me encourage others to walk in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
All you need is a willingness to share Sacred Strides with at least one person.
Top 4 ways to partner in ministry with me:
*Pray for me and the readers God is leading to read Sacred Strides.
*Pre-order your copy of Sacred Strides today. I need over 50 reviews on Amazon in July 2025 to reach more readers!
*Pre-order extra copies of Sacred Strides as gifts. Shop early for Christmas in July!
*Write a review on Amazon and any other review platforms you enjoy. This is as important as pre-orders!
More Ways to Collaborate and Help Spread God’s Word:
*Share Sacred Strides in person or via email.
*Share Sacred Strides and tag me on social media.
*Write a shout-out or a review on Sacred Strides and include in your blog or newsletter.
*Interview me as a guest writer on your blog or guest on your podcast.
*Read Sacred Strides with a group and invite me to visit (virtually or in person).
*Invite me to speak at your event, retreat, or group meeting (virtually or in person).
Thanks for linking arms with me as we share God’s truth and love to the ends of the earth.
Pre-orders tell the publisher that readers are interested in the messages God helped me share in Sacred Strides.
Please prayerfully consider loving your neighbors by pre-ordering extra copies as gifts. You can also order an extra copy and ask God who He wants you to pray for and bless with that gift.
Trust the Holy Spirit to minister to others when you donate copies of Sacred Strides to:
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*Churches, Ministries and Nonprofits that would give copies away.
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