Wholeness, what if?

It is so interesting to me how three very subtle things can shape how we see the world around us…… or even more so, how we see what is in us. Pressure. Performance. Perspective. I’ve always enjoyed the “glass half full” metaphor. Even if it is a little cliché. I enjoy it because it gives us such a simple, foundational understanding of perspective; and I love simplicity. But I want to take it a little further for a moment. Imagine a glass sitting in front of you. It’s filled exactly halfway. Now, depending on how you view it, you might say it’s half full or half empty. But either way, the reality is the same......it holds water at the halfway mark. Now, I want to introduce something extra into the equation. What if you started to feel pressure to make sure that glass was filled all the way to the top? Somewhere along the way there became an unspoken expectation that the liquid needed to touch the top of the glass. Maybe that standard came through comparison (looking at someone else's glass) or maybe a past experience made you feel like something would have changed if the liquid reached the top. Suddenly, that same glass, the one that is objectively halfway full, can begin to feel like it’s lacking. Like it’s not enough. It now seems like it is missing something. Not because it actually is, but because of the pressure that the liquid “needs” to touch the top of the glass. Now let’s take it another step further. What if you believed it was your responsibility to keep the liquid in that glass touching the top when it got there? To maintain it. To manage it. To ensure it never dips below a certain level. Now we’ve added performance to the pressure. The glass hasn’t changed. The amount of water hasn’t changed. But your view of the glass has completely shifted because your perspective is no longer neutral; it’s being shaped by pressure and performance. Two things that the one who made the glass to begin with, never placed on you. And isn’t that how we often live? We can look at our lives, our growth, our relationships, our capacity; and instead of seeing what is, we see what’s missing. Not because something is actually wrong, but because somewhere along the way, we picked up the belief that we should be more, doing more, or further along. Pressure tells us: “It’s not enough yet” Performance tells us: “You have to make it enough or else you'll fall behind” And before we know it, these two begin working together to shape our perspective. What if we removed the pressure to fill the glass and released the need to perform in order to maintain it? Simply allowing ourselves to see. To acknowledge what is, without rushing to fix what isn’t. Taking the time to see what is actually there instead of filtering it through what we think it should be. Letting go of evaluations and measurements. Because maybe wholeness isn’t found in finally filling the glass to the top….… Maybe it’s found in recognizing that it was never lacking to begin with. Just like the glass, you are not lacking. You are not behind. You are not missing anything. You are a good gift, who has been filled with everything you need already inside of you. Don’t let pressure, performance or perspectives convince you otherwise.  -Raven Lieurance

Oftentimes, the smallest moments in life hold the greatest impact. A hug from an old friend. A hand holding yours when you are afraid. Eye contact. A forehead kiss from the one you love. A smile from across the room. A sweet note found unexpectedly with a word of encouragement. I smiled typing those out. It is not always the grand gestures or material things that leave a mark. Why is that? I have become convinced that connection is a foundational desire of human existence. We were created out of a relational, connective dynamic, and in turn, I believe it is a baseline yearning of the heart. We inherently long for it, while simultaneously longing to give it. Connection to God. Connection to ourselves. Connection to others. All unique, yet beautifully woven together into a divine masterpiece. I think of it as circulation. Our bodies need healthy circulation to thrive. The heart, arteries, and veins all have different functions, yet each plays a vital role in the flow. When one is not functioning properly, the whole body feels the effects. Circulation facilitates essential nutrient delivery and immune function — just as connection does in our spiritual and relational lives. When you become aware and present enough to experience the fullness of these connections, it brings revival to your heart. The numb, tingling, or cold spaces — places where circulation has been restricted — suddenly receive fresh blood flow in ways that make you feel truly alive. Not gaining something you lack, but opening the floodgates of what has already been there all along. Everything needed for strong, life-giving connection was placed within you by design. I find it no coincidence that Jesus said these were the two most important things: Matthew 22:37–39 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Connection is how love travels through the whole body. It is the purest expression of sincere love. Many of us feel unloved not because love is absent, but because connection feels interrupted — whether that is disconnection from God, from ourselves, or from others. A moment of vulnerability: I would like to encourage you to pause today. Wherever you are — or perhaps save this for later. Place your hands over your heart and take three deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. When you feel steady and grounded, ask the Trinity these questions. Remember, there is no right or wrong. No good or bad. Just information. Where in my life do I feel most connected right now? Where do I sense disconnection?  What small step could I take today to restore circulation in that space?

When we look around, we see lots of people rushing through their days. We hustle from the moment we wake up, busying ourselves with work and responsibilities. But when's the last time you experienced authentic friendship? The kind where you can be your true self, without shame or hiding? The kind of friendship that actually restores and revives your life. I don't know about you, but those are the friendships I'm craving. We want authenticity. And it also scares us senseless. What if who we really are sends people running? What if we show our most honest, vulnerable parts and they cut and run? So we don't make space to be truly known. We stay busy. Because if we're really honest, we're not even sure how to do that vulnerable thing anyway. It sounds kinda scary. Let's go back to Psalm 23 again. This is such a beautiful picture of Jesus' friendship with us. Psalm 23: 1-3 Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That's where he restores and revives my life. He opens before me the right path and leads me along in his footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honor to his name. There's so much here, but let's sit with this: "Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough." That's encouraging, right? A friendship that doesn't selfishly drain you but instead provides in ways that are more than enough. But if we're being honest, that's not really how we live. Often, we feel jealous of our friends. Maybe they're accomplishing things you've always dreamed of doing. Maybe you think they're more attractive, have more money, or are thinner than you. Maybe it just looks like everyone loves them and life always works out for them. That's when jealousy starts rearing its ugly head. We start believing our friend is getting all the good stuff—so naturally there won't be enough left for us, right? Ouch. Jealousy kills connection. It's really a mindset of lack. That mindset doesn't believe Psalm 23's promise that "I always have MORE than enough." A lack mindset whispers, "There's enough for everyone else but me." But Jesus has abundance for us, in every way. An abundance mindset says there's enough. I am enough. There's no limit to God's goodness in my life, and because of that, I can actually celebrate the good things in my friends' lives. So what stories are you telling yourself about scarcity? What type of friendships are you cultivating in your life? Let's do this exercise together and let Jesus show you. I know this might sound simple, but stay with me. First, let's do some box breathing. Inhale to the count of four, hold your breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four and hold no breath to the count of four. Close your eyes and breathe for one minute. Now, picture Jesus in front of you. Ask him: "What do you want me to know about how you provide for me? What am I believing about whether there are enough good things for me?" There are no right or wrong answers — it's only information. Write down whatever you hear, feel, see, or know. Next, ask Jesus: "What do you want me to know about friendship?" Then follow with: "Jesus, what do you want me to know and what do you want me to do with this information?" Write whatever you get. How can you incorporate an abundance mindset into your friendships today? Be intentional, don't overthink it. Keep it simple. ~Liz

You were made for friendship. Does that thought surprise you? Maybe even make you bristle a little? It’s ok – it’s still true. In fact, it’s an absolute truth. Not sure? Let’s take a look at Psalm 23: 1-3 in the Passion translation. Yahweh is my best friend and my shepherd. I always have more than enough. He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love. His tracks take me to an oasis of peace near the quiet brook of bliss. That’s where he restores and revives my life. This Psalm is such a beautiful picture of Jesus’ friendship with us. He offers us rest, a place of safety. That’s so amazing. It’s really what true friendship looks like. In our most intimate friendships, and I dare say any friendship really, we want to be safe, and find a place of rest. When I’m worn down from life or I’m going through a dark time, I want friendships that are safe. Actually, when things are going great, I still want friendships that are safe and welcoming. How does this translate to our own friendships? This psalm shows us a picture of deep friendship where we are both seen and known. Every time Jesus encountered people, He saw them and made them feel known. Take a minute and think about the last time you were really seen and heard in a friendship. A friendship where you were really able to be your authentic self and share what was really going inside you without the other friend trying to fix you or offer you a list of things you could do to resolve your situation. Not a time where they listened and then launched into a story about themselves, but a time when someone held space for you to be both known and heard. How’d you feel? Take a minute and journal about that. If nothing is coming to your mind, it’s okay. Let’s try this exercise together: First, let’s do some box breathing. Inhale to the count of four, hold your breath to the count of four, exhale to the count of four and hold no breath to the count of four. Close your eyes and breathe for one minute. Next, I want you to set a timer for one minute. Now, picture Jesus in front of you. For that minute, share with him, out loud, anything you want about your life. There’s no agenda here, you’re just sharing absolutely anything you want. Go ahead. How’d that feel? Take a minute to notice how your body is responding. There are no right or wrong answers here – only information. Did you feel safe? Maybe you felt anxious. Or maybe you felt like nothing happened. It’s all okay. Pay attention to whatever did or didn’t happen for you. Write it down. Then ask, “Jesus, what do you want me to know about that exchange?” And finally, “What do you want me to do?” Write down whatever comes to you, whether it makes immediate sense or not. If something seems unclear, simply ask another question like, "Jesus, what do you want me to know about this?" This is what safe friendship looks and feels like. I don’t know about you, but when I sit with Jesus and talk, he doesn’t give me scriptures to quote or a 3-point sermon on my next steps to a better, more productive life. Jesus listens. He leans into me. He loves me. This is what we want to take into all of our friendships. This is the start of practicing what true, intimate friendship looks like. As you continue your day, remember that the essence of true friendship — both with Jesus and others — isn't found in perfect words or solutions, but in creating spaces where we can be fully present and known. Liz

There’s a fear that doesn’t always shout—it whispers. It slips in quietly when someone gets too close, when the spotlight inches toward the parts of us we’ve worked so hard to keep hidden. It’s the fear of being truly known. For many of us, the idea of being fully seen feels risky. We wonder: What if they don’t like what they find? What if I’m too much—or not enough? So we learn to hide. We perform. We shrink. We protect. But here’s the truth: you weren’t made to live behind a mask. That ache you feel for connection—for being understood—isn’t weakness. It’s design. Your original blueprint. You were created to be known and loved—not one or the other. Both. So why do we hide? Most of us learned early on that vulnerability came at a cost. Maybe it brought rejection, shame, or misunderstanding. Maybe it felt safer to build walls than to risk being hurt again. But when we build walls to protect ourselves from pain, we often end up blocking love too. Healing starts when we stop running from our true selves—and start coming home to them. That begins with God. He sees every part of you and doesn’t flinch. He’s not waiting for a polished version of you—He’s already delighted in who you are. From that safe place, we can begin to peel back the layers, gently. We can share our story with people who have earned the right to hear it. We can ask, What’s true about me? And Where am I still hiding? If this resonates, you’re not alone. It takes courage to be seen—but there’s freedom on the other side. You don’t have to do it perfectly. You just have to begin. The invitation is simple: Come as you are. You are worth knowing.

Raise your hand if you’ve struggled to start a new endeavour. Me. My hand is raised. And I know that I can’t be the only one here. We have dozens of new, creative ideas everyday. Maybe it’s a cooking class, an art class or a pottery class you’ve wanted to take. Maybe it’s a new business idea you’ve wanted to start. Or maybe you’ve really wanted to paint a wall a surprising new color in your home. Maybe it’s a book you’ve thought of writing, or even a short story, but then you talk yourself out of it because of a million different reasons, not the least of which is who would ever want to publish it let alone read it. We are so good at coming up with reasons to not try something new, reasons to not take a risk. We often dismiss creative ideas. I read this quote the other day that got me thinking: Sometimes done is better than perfect. Am I waiting for things to be perfect before I even start? Dang it. There’s perfectionism rearing its ugly head again. It’s not all or nothing. All or nothing thinking sets us up for failure because it sets unrealistic standards. An all or nothing mindset says I should be able to do this or that. And should is where subtle shame hides. Perfectionism robs creativity — and it really robs our joy, too. Solutions that you need and that others need, are waiting in creativity. So what if instead of partnering with perfectionism, or all or nothing thinking, we started with little bits of better. What if, instead of chasing big, unsustainable changes, we embraced little bits of better — small, manageable steps that build real momentum? Here’s an example of what that might look like. I’m working on some health goals right now, which honestly seem quite big. Instead of using shame as motivation, I celebrate every win — because little bits of better add up. One glass of water, one short walk, one small victory at a time. What if we start before it’s polished and perfect. I know that sentence made some of your stomachs turn. It’s ok. What’s the worst that could happen? Sure, you might fail. But then what? Fill in the answer to that question. Sometimes we’re just so afraid to start before it’s perfect we don’t pause to ask ourselves a few more questions. If the answer to what’s the worst that could happen is I might look foolish, or no one might read my book or blog or short story or the paint I pick for my living room might look terrible, then I encourage you to stop listening to the critical voice of perfectionism. Shame whispers doubt but love reminds you to begin. Listen to what love says about you! What’s something you’ve wanted to try but have been holding back on? What’s one little bit of better you can start today?

How do you see the world? Seems like a big question. But honestly, it’s the best question. How are you viewing the world, what lens are you looking through? Because that shapes everything else. If we’re looking at the world through a lens of “I don’t have enough” or “I don’t have enough of the stuff I want”, things start to go downhill pretty quickly. It becomes an all-consuming view of jealousy, bitterness and lack, which ultimately can lead to the pit of despair. We can become angry with our friend or coworker or spouse for the good things they have and can only see all the things we don’t have. Which makes sense because we live in a microwave society. We like things fast. We complain when the Chick-fil-A line is too slow, we’re grumpy when we can’t immediately access an app on our phone and we get downright angry when the checkout lane at our local grocery store is too long. We simply don’t have time for this, we think. All those feelings of lack and entitlement can lead to feeling down, the blues or simply depressed. Guess what? Gratitude is the antidote to depression. It’s even mentioned 157 times in the Bible. Seems important. In fact, Psalm 100:4-5 says: Enter his gates with thanksgiving And his courts with praise; Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. Wow, right?! We are to be moved with praise because of God’s goodness which is infinite and forever without end. God is happy and he’s in a good mood. In fact, he’s in a good mood about you. If I apply giving thanks at all times for everything, what does even that look like? I’m not saying to be grateful for a hard or hurtful situation, but grateful that I’m still here. I’m grateful that God is good and he’s in it with me. I’m grateful for freedom, for dreaming, for adventures. Grateful to see my kids growing and thriving. You get the idea. Our perspective also shifts when we start focusing on how to encourage and support others. Gratitude is a way we can see the world. American author John Ortenberg says gratitude involves recognizing three good things: Benefit. Recognize you’ve received something good. Benefactor. Recognize there’s someone behind every benefit. Beneficiary. Recognize that not all the benefits are earned. It really is a perspective shift. Shifting from seeing dirty dishes in the sink to gratitude for the food that was on it. Piles of dirty laundry? You’ve got clothes to wear. A job you hate? You’ve got money to pay the bills. You see where I’m going with this. You can see the world as not enough for you or you can see it through the lens of gratitude. The choice is yours. And it is a choice. If you haven’t joined us in daily writing 100 things you're grateful for, it’s not too late. Start today. We’ve even created a journal that can help you. Life is a gift. Let’s live like we believe that. Grab your Gratitude Journal here . In Grace, Liz

The beeping, clanging of an alarm clock wakes you up. Frustrated, you roll over and flick it off. Slowly, your foggy brain starts humming to a laundry list of to-dos for the day. Or maybe it's replaying that stupid argument from last night. Or perhaps it's just the weight of silence and loneliness that comes crashing over you... again. "Ugh," is your first thought. (And let's be real - maybe a few choice words after that.) I bet any of those scenarios feel pretty familiar, right? How many hours until we can crawl back into bed? How many days until the weekend and we don't have to drag ourselves to that soul-sucking job? How long until this lonely holiday season is finally over? Here's the thing – our days often start with lack. Lack of joy, lack of peace, just plain old lack. And all of that lack? It leads straight down the path to depression, isolation, and that crushing loneliness that feels like it's sitting on your chest. What am I missing and how do I get it? There's even that Rolling Stones song that nails it – "I can't get no satisfaction." Here’s the deal: We’re so focused on what we don’t have that we’re not really living in the present. So if that’s the problem, what’s the solution? Gratitude. Gratitude is the feeling of thankfulness for what you have in life, and the practice of acknowledging the good things you’ve got. It can be applied to the past, present or future. Gratitude is a super hero level solution to depression, an antidote if you will. Through practicing gratitude, we start to realize that maybe – just maybe – life isn't totally terrible. That there might actually be some joy right here and now in the everyday stuff we usually ignore. And here's where it gets really good – God is the ultimate source of that joy. God's happy. He's in a good mood. And get this – He's in a good mood about YOU. Don’t believe me? Check out Psalm 100 in the Passion translation: “For the Lord is always good and ready to receive you. He’s so loving it will amaze you – so kind it will astound you! And he is famous for his faithfulness toward all. Everyone knows our God can be trusted, for he keeps his promises to every generation!” I mean... wow. That sounds like a God who is actually good, genuinely happy, and literally always excited to see you. Are you catching this? "He's so loving it will amaze you." Yes. Please. So how do we get there? Let’s start with something simple. Write 100 things each day you’re grateful for during the month of December. Yep, you heard me right. Do it every day. Not sure where to even begin? Start with simple things: I’m grateful that I’m warm and safe. I’m grateful that I’ve got a home, electricity and food. Let your list build from there. Drop a comment below with your starter list of five things. Starting our days looking for ALL the good stuff will change how we see everything else. It might feel challenging at first, uncomfortable even, but stick with it. Something beautiful will start to happen. We have a journal that is perfect for this journey-check out the Gratitude Journal here Much Love, Liz

I don't know about you, but mine sometimes gets a little bit crispy around the edges – kinda like something that's been left in the oven a little too long. You know that feeling? When you're a bit short-tempered, running on empty, and your loving tank is hitting "E." Usually when I'm in this spiritual funk, it's because I've been doing all the things (maybe even good things!) but not the soul-filling things like resting, worshiping, or just sitting back and marveling at God's awesomeness. Here's something wild – even God took a breather. Genesis 2:2 tells us: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." If the Creator of the universe needed a rest day, maybe we should take the hint? What Sabbath Isn't (My Confession) When I first dipped my toes into this whole Sabbath thing, I thought I was crushing it. My "rest day" looked like catching up on laundry, binge-watching shows, and tackling that ever-growing to-do list. John Mark Comer (in his book "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry") lovingly calls this a "bastard sabbath." Ouch, but fair. Sure, errands and Netflix have their place, but true Sabbath? That's something entirely different. Finding Your Rest Rhythm Here's the beautiful flip: Sabbath isn't about working for rest – it's about living from rest. Everything we do flows from that peaceful place. Mind-blowing, right? But before you start googling "Top 10 Sabbath Rules," let's pump the brakes. The last thing we need is another spiritual checklist. Instead, try this: Ask yourself: What makes your soul come alive in God's presence? What would genuine rest and worship look like for you? How can you invite the Trinity into your day? Remember, this looks different for everyone. A mom with toddlers might have a totally different Sabbath than a college student or an empty nester – and that's perfectly okay! When your soul is rested, everything changes. I've noticed I have so much more love to give when I'm not running on spiritual fumes. It's like the difference between serving from an overflowing cup versus scraping the bottom of an empty one. Take a moment right now. Breathe deeply. Check in with your soul – how's it doing? If you're feeling spiritually crispy, consider it your soul's check engine light. Maybe it's time to embrace that holy pause God designed for us from the very beginning.  No judgment here – just an invitation to rest in the rhythm of grace our beautiful God created for us. Because when we live from rest rather than for rest, that's when our souls truly come alive. Liz