Author, Speaker, Encourager

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When Smart Doesn’t Come Easy

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Daniel 2:20 | “May the name of God be praised forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.”

Do you ever find yourself praying for more wisdom? That is definitely where I am these days. Life keeps rolling and there are so many decisions requiring my input, that I find myself more and more scratching my head, wondering if I will ever truly know the actual answer.

But this morning in my Bible study time, God, in His awesome and all-knowing way, reminded me of something very important.

I don’t have to know it all. I don’t have to understand everything. In fact, sometimes it’s a whole lot better when I don’t, because then I most assuredly have to rely on the One who does.

When Daniel talked about praising God forever because of His wisdom and power, Daniel was feeling a little stunped and stupid too. The king of his land had a dream he wanted interpreted by a wise man, but he wasn’t giving any part away of what he’d dreamed.

I imagine Daniel felt a little overwhelmed and bewildered, especially since his very life was on the line! But what Daniel lacked for in knowledge, he made up for in his faith – he knew he might not know, but God knew all. And God would show Daniel what he needed to know.

That’s what we can believe as well. That no matter what curve balls come, no matter what struggles we face, feeling the weight of wishing we knew more about something, or had more experience in a particular area – we can know that our God does know, and He will show is what we need to know as the time comes.

We need only ask.

Today, before asking for wisdom and knowledge, take some time to praise God for the wisdom and knowledge He demonstrates daily. Thank Him and be confident that when you don’t know, He does.

Posted by Sara Horn on April 29, 2013 in Faith

Let it Go

“Hatred stirs up conflicts, but love covers all offenses.” (Prov. 10:12)

This was the verse I read during my quiet time this morning and stopped me cold. The commentary in my study Bible brought the point home. “Loving people, unlike hateful ones, are willing to put up with insults or slander and to forgive those who wrong them” (emphasis mine).

Ouch. It’s not easy to always do this, but it’s so important.

Posted by Sara Horn on April 10, 2013 in Faith

Every Mama Counts

momanddaughter

They were sitting on a moms panel at a recent women’s conference and going through the introductions. One woman gave her name and described who she was as a mom and what she did by saying “I have one child and I blog.” The woman sitting next to her responded with “Well, I have 4 kids – and I don’t have time to blog.”

Everyone laughed and moved on but could you hear what wasn’t being said out loud? Being the mom of one is like the minor leagues of parenting – you’re not quite ready for the pros yet, honey. I could feel the dig (probably because I too am a mama of one) and I wasn’t the one it was directed to.

Comparisons.

We fall into this trap so often it’s a wonder we ever come out. Military wives do this too. A sweet young wife less than six months into her marriage is struggling with her first deployment and missing her husband. A more seasoned wife tries to “encourage” her – “oh, just wait till you’ve had your sixth or seventh – then come tell me how tough it is.”

Helpful. Not.

Posted by Sara Horn on April 5, 2013 in Family

When Beauty Goes Missing

Today I’m headed out for some shopping with one of my best friends, Heather, to look for a dress for the Seabee Ball my husband and I are going to later this month. It’s the very first ball we will get to attend in his almost 17 years of military service and I am so excited!

Except for the shopping part.

And more specifically, the trying-on part.

As I stood in the bathroom this morning, getting ready, the noise in my head started loud and fierce.

You should have started exercising months ago.

You should not have eaten that cheesecake last night.

Your arms look awful.

Your butt is huge.

And on, and on, and on it went.

Posted by Sara Horn on March 2, 2013 in Faith

Winner of DotMom Tickets!

So sorry ya’ll – I promised to draw the name of the winner last night after I got home from my weekend at The Cove, teaching workshops for a military marriage weekend – and that thought completely went out of my head when I walked into the house and saw this -

Best. Welcome. Home. Ever.

So after a great, refreshing few hours last night spent with my guys, making this wife and mama very happy (because a huge bonus was the kitchen was also entirely clean when I walked in and we had Chinese takeout so no cooking (double bonus!)) – I woke up at 4 a.m. this morning and remembered “EEK! I forgot to make one other mama very happy!”

Using Random.org, Comment #1 was selected (going by order of first to last as they were posted). A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Leeann Griffith! She and a friend will have their registration completely covered for their fun getaway this weekend to DotMom!

By the way – it’s not too late for you to register! Just because you didn’t win, you should still most definitely think about coming, especially if you’re already in the Dallas area, or within a couple of hours. Come on ladies! We can think of every reason in the world NOT to take time out for ourselves because we have so much going on with our lives and our families, but I’m telling you – when you DO – the benefits to our lives and to our families are HUGE.

For more information, visit the DotMom Dallas Registration Page. It is going to be fantastic!

Posted by Sara Horn on February 18, 2013 in Family

Win tickets to DotMom in Dallas!

Are you a mom who is seriously at the end of her rope? Or maybe you’re a new mom who would love some advice on what’s ahead? Or maybe just a mom who could use a little encouragement to get through the rest of this school year? Or the teen years?

If you live anywhere near the Dallas area, you need to be at DotMom this month! It’s Feb. 22-23 in Frisco, TX, and you will be hearing from some of the best speakers out there – Priscilla Shirer, Angie Smith, Vicki Courtney, John Croyle, and one of my favorite worship leaders, Travis Cottrell.

I’ll be there leading three different workshops, along with a plethora (my English teacher in high school loved saying that word every day in class) of other awesome workshop leaders speaking about all kinds of subjects and topics related to being a mom!

And here is the BEST PART!

LifeWay has given me TWO TICKETS to give away to a mom and a friend!

So – the nitty gritty details -

The two tickets cover your registration ($79×2 value) – but YOU are responsible for your travel and lodging and meals (except lunch on Saturday which is covered).

Want to win?

Just comment below with your best tip for other moms! I will choose the winner in a random drawing this Sunday night (Feb. 17) no later than 9 p.m. CST after I get home from my trip to Asheville. I have to turn the winner’s name into LifeWay no later than Tuesday so be sure you check back Sunday night or include your email when you post your comment (only I will see it).

Ready to come have an awesome weekend with some awesome moms? Me too! Hope to see you there!

UPDATE: The winner has been chosen and contacted –

Congratulations to Leeann Griffith!

COMMENT BELOW: As a mom, what’s your best tip for other moms? What’s worked? What’s helped?

Posted by Sara Horn on February 12, 2013 in Family

Where Do You Hide?

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. ~ Psalm 91:1

In life, all of us at one time or another seek out shelter. We look for comfort, for safety, for emotional security, for the knowledge that everything will be ok. Elijah could relate. We read his story in 1 Kings 19. After entering into a major competition with Queen Jezebel and King Ahab and their prophets of Baal, and seeing God bring victory against them, Elijah still didn’t feel like much of a winner, after he learned Jezebel had put a bounty on his head. His life was in jeopardy. Elijah needed shelter in the worst kind of way. So he looked for it in a cave.

It’s easy to find ourselves hiding in a cave of our own making.

Posted by Sara Horn on January 28, 2013 in Faith