Sara Soenen
Sara Soenen
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Anxiety•Depression•Faith•Fellowship•Grief•Mental Illness

The Four Emotions of a Pandemic.

April 29, 2020 by Sara Soenen 1 Comment

Let me start by saying this is not a formula nor is it a progression. It is an observation. We are all experiencing this pandemic, but in different ways and at different times. I don’t know that something like this has ever happened in our history. With a global economy and the internet this pandemic is felt from one side of the world to the other.

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Anxiety•Depression•Faith•Fellowship•Grief•Mental Illness•Redemption

The Battle of Redemption.

November 13, 2019 by Sara Soenen No Comments

…Death wrapped its ropes around me;  The terrors of the grave overtook me. I saw only trouble and sorrow.  Then I called on the name of the Lord. “Please Lord, save me!”How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death and He saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, For the Lord has been good to me. He has saved me from death, My eyes from tears, My feet from stumbling……..In my anxiety I cried out to You, These people are all liars! You have freed me from my chains. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving And call on the name of the Lord. 

Psalm 116:3 NLT


            Redemption doesn’t always mean healing: A believer’s battle with mental illness.


Therapy.

The couch was ready and waiting for me, but I wasn’t happy about it. As I sat down with my therapist for our first meeting, my mind was flooded of all the other times I’d been in therapy. I knew the drill. I tell the therapists what’s bothering me, they ask me questions, validate me and I schedule a follow-up appointment. Over the past twenty-five years I’ve seen numerous therapists.

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Postpartum Depression

It’s More than Just the Baby Blues

May 10, 2017 by Sara Soenen No Comments

Postpartum Depression is more common than you think.

Close to 1,000,000 suffer from postpartum each year and that’s only the reported cases. Close to 10% of women don’t even report feelings of postpartum because of fear or shame. In fact, more women will suffer from postpartum depression and related illnesses this year than the combined number of new cases for men and women of tuberculosis, leukemia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and epilepsy. (postpartumprogress.org, http://postpartumprogress.org/2011/02/how-many-women-really-get-postpartum-depression/).

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About Me

Wife, and mom to a 8 year old boy and a 5 year old Priscilla. My husband and I live in the great city of Austin, Texas. We love sports, traveling, cooking, our church and down time with the family.

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Popular Posts

The Four Emotions of a Pandemic.

The Four Emotions of a Pandemic.

April 29, 2020
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What I’m leaving behind: Ten Lessons Learned from 2020.

January 2, 2021
It’s More than Just the Baby Blues

It’s More than Just the Baby Blues

May 10, 2017
Depressions’ sister, anxiety.

Depressions’ sister, anxiety.

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On the outside looking in.

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sarasoenen

Often we seem to want to spend our time taking in Often we seem to want to spend our time taking in information. Reading, learning, listening, watching, more, more and more information. While it's wonderful to be educated and not be ignorant what are really spending our time educating ourselves on? At the end of the day we are all giving our time and attention to something whether it's good or bad, or maybe it's not bad it's just not great. My husband and I are both working on discipline in 2021. We both seem to struggle in this area (disregard everything you've ever been told about opposites attracting). Often we blame time and a lack thereof, but we both know it's usually WHAT we spend our time doing NOT the amount of time we have. How much time in your day do you give your attention to things that increase your worry or fears (news, Twitter, Facebook)? How much time do you fuel your mind with God's Word, or information based in Biblical principles (Bible Studies, books, Bible)? I bet if you evaluated your day it would be lopsided. We wonder why our mental health is suffering? No, we can't control everything but lets' be honest about what we can control and how it effects our mental health. ⁣
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#mentalhealthmatters #mindfullness #payattention  #mentalillness #stress ⁣
#renewedmind #fuel #captureyourthoughts #fuelyourmind #hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind #fuelyourmind #grit #youarenotalone #weareinthistogether
The fact that God knows our thoughts, in some ways The fact that God knows our thoughts, in some ways may be scary, but we should find comfort. Yes our thoughts can be dark and distorted and even we wonder where they came from, BUT because of Jesus, because He knows our thoughts and Jesus has walked this earth and understood what it means to be human then we should find comfort in someone truly understanding us. How many people can say they know your thoughts? No one and let's be honest if they did it probably wouldn't be a good thing... for anyone! LOL! BUT Jesus does know our thoughts, Jesus loves us unconditionally and desires for our thoughts to be replaced with HIS truth. Our thoughts will run wild if we don't circle them back to the TRUTH. Let's be clear God's Truth, not the truth of this world. The truth of this world changes daily, isn't absolute and isn't founded in unconditional love. Take comfort today my friends that someone truly knows you...every part of you and LOVES you just like you are. When your thoughts run amuck, circle back to God's truth and remind yourself what that is and who you are in Christ. We are a new creation, we are righteous because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Who better to hear our thoughts and understand us. NO one compares. ⁣
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#renewedmind #fuel #captureyourthoughts #fuelyourmind #hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind #fuelyourmind #grit #youarenotalone #weareinthistogether
Lately I've been spending some time in the book of Lately I've been spending some time in the book of Ezekiel. Admittedly this book is over my head and I do not pretend to grasp all there is to know. It's one of those books I've avoided and figured when I'm older and wiser I'd try to tackle it. Well I'm definitely older, but not wiser. I digress. One thing I have been able to glean from this book is this idea of misplaced fear. The Israelites have abandoned God, believed false prophets and generally listen to everyone but God. This has lead them to a path of self-destruction as well as consequences from God Himself. What has surprised me (which it shouldn't because WE are just like the Israelites; we continue to do what we know we aren't supposed to) is that the Israelites feared everyone but God. Their fear was misplaced. Misplaced means incorrectly positioned. They should be afraid, but they were afraid of the wrong "guy." Like any good action/thriller movie the guy you think is the good good is really the bad guy and the good guy has been warning you all along but you've dismissed his warnings and have given your ear to a "false prophet." Sound familiar? All too often we fear the world and the consequences of this world, BUT If our HOPE is in Jesus and our FAITH is in HIM then the things of this world should not bring us fear, but a God who loves us and wants what's best for us, who's desire is to give us more. Our fear should should be missing what HE has in store for us. I don't know about you, but I surely don't want to miss that. ⁣
⁣
#misplacedfear #fear #Jesus #wisdomandknowledge #whomshallifear #Ezekiel #incorrectlypositioned #hopeandlaughter #thefundamentalfive #faith #faithfightsfear #fearnothing #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #fear #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors⁣
#anxiousfornothing #anxiousalways
Because it’s basketball season around here and w Because it’s basketball season around here and we may not be at the game but Baylor is gonna win!!! Sorry to my husband and any Jayhawk fans. #sicembears #beatku
Because I just need to laugh...and I bet you do to Because I just need to laugh...and I bet you do too! I love to laugh and days like today I needed it! Hope this makes you laugh too! 
#hopeandlaughter #defeatdiepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#laughteristhebestmedicine 
#heresto2022
On the way home from school yesterday Zeke reminde On the way home from school yesterday Zeke reminded me that today is the Epiphany, the day that we as Gentiles, celebrate the King, Jesus, being manifested to the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. We have hope because of Him. Our humanity is understood because of Him. Emmanuel with God with Us. What a gift that He came to earth and understands our heartache, brokenness, and loneliness. He understands our longing for Hope. Spend some time today thanking God for the gift of Jesus and thanking Jesus for being exactly what we needed. 

#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #heisourhope #theepiphany #threewisemen #oneshepherd #onefamily
I started reading the Bible chronologically again I started reading the Bible chronologically again this year( let’s hope 2021 goes better than 2020 when it comes to my reading) followed by the @thebiblerecap podcast and it got me thinking more and more about why we read our Bibles. All too often we read  with the goal of gaining more knowledge. While this is good and necessary the reality is God’s Word is showing us who we really are, the good and the bad. It is revealing to us who He is and what we aren’t. So often when someone suggests to read your Bible we miss that what they are really trying to say is...when you have a quiet time there are things that you will read in your Bible today that God is speaking directly to you about you. He can’t show you these things unless you are in His Word. It’s personal. My husband and I can read the same verse but God reveals something different to each of us. God’s Word doesn’t change but He is a personal God who desires to teach you something about you and about Him. So the next time you pick up your Bible (which is hopefully soon) instead of trying to gain more knowledge ask God to show you what He has for you, today. Let Him surprise and lead you. This is what makes Him different. This is what makes Him, God. He in of Himself  is a relationship ( Father, Son and Holy Spirit) so if we are created in His image than He too desires for that relationship with us. What did God reveal to you today in His Word? 

#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #itsallaboutyouandHim #letgodswordreadyou #wearethronebeingtransformednothim
How many pictures in your feed today promote the i How many pictures in your feed today promote the idea of a “new year...new you.” Don’t get me wrong there’s nothing bad about New Years resolutions are committing to be more physically fit. My husband and I will be woo ok taking on both, BUT our goal should be becoming more like Christ. A new year should be a time of reflection and a time of reset. Re-setting our minds on things above instead of things of this world. Re-evaluating what has worked and what isn’t working. As we press on towards the prize of fulling knowing and understanding God what are you leaving behind in 2020 and hoping to change or bring in to 2021? 

In my latest post I share the lessons I have learned, what I’m leaving behind and the boldness I hope to bring to 2021. Link in bio. 

#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#fuelyourmind #grit #newyearsresolutions #progressoverperfection #thefundamentalfive
Happy New Year from my family to yours! Happy New Year from my family to yours!
If 2020 has taught us anything it is our desperati If 2020 has taught us anything it is our desperation for the HOPE of JESUS. With the change in our culture, the COVID-19 pandemic, the disruption to our daily lives, the political storm, and the impact of social media. We have everything at our finger tips and yet we are still searching, still broken and still seeking to fill a God-shaped whole in our hearts. All of these issues have greatly impacted our mental health and our need for Jesus. ⁣
Would you consider donating and help accelerate our cause? Hope and Laughter is working towards a mental health hotline, messaging app and sliding scale therapy. Please pray for all that God is doing in and through this ministry.⁣
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewed-mind⁣
#hopeofjesus #HEisourhope ⁣
#hopeandlaughter #wearewarriors #anxiousfornothing #defeatdepression #renewyourmind #romans122 #thefundamentalfive #faithfightsfear #captureyourthoughts #retrainyourbrain #fuel #armedforanxiety #faith  #fearnothing  #anxiousfornothing #fear #morethanconquerors
As I look back on all that God has done this past As I look back on all that God has done this past year I couldn't have imagined where He would take me. Officially becoming launching @hopeandlaughter a 501(c)3 non-profit, putting together a board, to my first small Christmas coffee and a $10,000 donation to launch this ministry. I could've never imagined any of this. God's dreams are always bigger, and God's dream are never about just us. They are ALWAYS about Him, His purposes and sharing The Gospel. Help us reach our goal of $20,000.00. Would you consider donating and help accelerate our cause? Hope and Laughter is working towards a mental health hotline, messaging app and sliding scale therapy. (Link in bio for donations). Please pray for all that God is doing in and through this ministry.⁣
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#hopeandlaughter #thefundamentalfive #faith #faithfightsfear #fearnothing #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #fear #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #wehavehopebecuaseofhim #thereishopethereislaughter
Merry Christmas from our family to yours! A thrill Merry Christmas from our family to yours! A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices! O Holy Night. ⁣
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #refinebyfire #righteousness #peaceofgod #thewaitingisthehardestpart #holyspirit #merrychristmas #oholynight #thewearyworldrejoices
Making our birthday cake for Jesus! Gluten Free Re Making our birthday cake for Jesus! Gluten Free Red Velvet. What are your favorite ways to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. 
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdiepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#laughteristhebestmedicine 
#merrychristmas #adventprepclub
Because there’s nothing better than homemade Chr Because there’s nothing better than homemade Christmas cookies, Christmas music, a fire in the fireplace and the joy of the season. 

#hopeandlaughter #adventprepclub #thefundamentalfive #faith #faithfightsfear #fearnothing #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #fear #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors
#anxiousalways #defeatdepression #jesusisthereasonfortheseason #christmastimeishere🎄
Christmas can be a time full of joy and laughter, Christmas can be a time full of joy and laughter, but for many it can be a time of sorrow and loneliness. Whether we are struggling with grief, the pandemic, financial or emotional stress let's remember that the Lord is our everlasting LIGHT. Let's lean into Him and His Word this Christmas season. It can be all too easy to try to craft the perfect Christmas especially to compensate for all that will be different about this Christmas, but we both know that things of this world won't fulfill,  but will leave us empty and lonely. The LIGHT of Jesus will bring peace, joy and a reminder that one day soon our sorrow will be over. ⁣
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#hopeandlaughter #wearewarriors #anxiousfornothing #defeatdepression #renewyourmind #romans122 #thefundamentalfive #faithfightsfear #captureyourthoughts #retrainyourbrain #fuel #armedforanxiety #faith  #fearnothing  #anxiousfornothing #fear #morethanconquerors⁣
 #onedaysoon #lightoftheworld #ourhopeisinHIM #hisword #oursorrowwillbenomore #emmanuelgodwithus
Fun time walking Town Lake....been awhile . . . Fun time walking Town Lake....been awhile 
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#fuelyourmind #familyfun #joyalongtheway #daydate #townlake #dateyourhusband
This prayer is a reminder of how much Jesus loves This prayer is a reminder of how much Jesus loves us and listening to this prayer is like listening to a dad pray for his children. The love which He has is greater than any love that we can imagine. His love is perfect, will never fail us and is the same yesterday, today and forever. In this season of division, confusion and heartbreak let's remember what love really is and who is the Creator of love. I can hear Jesus pleading for those that He loves. He's pleading for you too my friends. ⁣
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #refinebyfire #righteousness #peaceofgod #thewaitingisthehardestpart #holyspirit #prayer #hope #spiritualwarfare #jesuspraysforus #jesuslovesus
As my girlfriend and I swapped anxiety stories aft As my girlfriend and I swapped anxiety stories after drop-off this morning, one of my kids teachers overheard us and stopped turned around and said that he wanted to remind "whose we are and had some Scriptures he'd like to read over us." Y'all tears streamed down my face as I listened to this sweet man read Scripture over us in the school parking lot. This wasn't just a reminder of why I love my kids school it was a reminder of how my day needs to always start with God's Word. It was a reminder that there's nothing sweeter than God's Word. It's one of the reasons I love hearing my kids recite Scripture in the house. They think it's just to practice for school but it's also for this mama's heart. I need to hear those words as much as she needs to hide them in her heart. This verse is such a good reminder especially in the midst of all this uncertainty. Let's cling to the one true God, and to His sweet words. I pray that God will surprise you today with something that will remind you of His presence. ⁣
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#jesuschrist #prayer #godswordistrue #grace #hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #refinebyfire #righteousness #peaceofgod #thewaitingisthehardestpart #holyspirit
No matter today’s outcome our freedom is in Chri No matter today’s outcome our freedom is in Christ and nothing else. Let’s respond differently and behave as people who place their Hope in the one true King not in a worldly leader. We are armed with the Holy Spirit. Our freedom is I Christ not of this world. No matter the results let’s rest in Him. 
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It was for freedom that Christ set us free; THEREFORE keep standing firm... Galatians 5:1

#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#fuelyourmind #braindump #actioninsteadofprocastination #freedomtopursueyourcalling 
#thefundamentalfivefreedom
#writing #freedominchrist #christsetusfree #ourhopeisinhim
Scooby Doo Where are You? Halloween 2020 . . #hop Scooby Doo Where are You? Halloween 2020
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#hopeandlaughter #defeatdiepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#laughteristhebestmedicine
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#postpartumanxiety #postpartumdepression #sahm anger anxiety arm ourselves with truth battle battle of the mind depression faith father of lies fear God grief healing hope hopelessness mental health my story pandemic redemption Scripture spiritual warfare the invisible enemy therapy the truth will set you free truth warrior we are armed in the Spirit we are at war

Hope



sarasoenen

Often we seem to want to spend our time taking in Often we seem to want to spend our time taking in information. Reading, learning, listening, watching, more, more and more information. While it's wonderful to be educated and not be ignorant what are really spending our time educating ourselves on? At the end of the day we are all giving our time and attention to something whether it's good or bad, or maybe it's not bad it's just not great. My husband and I are both working on discipline in 2021. We both seem to struggle in this area (disregard everything you've ever been told about opposites attracting). Often we blame time and a lack thereof, but we both know it's usually WHAT we spend our time doing NOT the amount of time we have. How much time in your day do you give your attention to things that increase your worry or fears (news, Twitter, Facebook)? How much time do you fuel your mind with God's Word, or information based in Biblical principles (Bible Studies, books, Bible)? I bet if you evaluated your day it would be lopsided. We wonder why our mental health is suffering? No, we can't control everything but lets' be honest about what we can control and how it effects our mental health. ⁣
⁣
#mentalhealthmatters #mindfullness #payattention  #mentalillness #stress ⁣
#renewedmind #fuel #captureyourthoughts #fuelyourmind #hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind #fuelyourmind #grit #youarenotalone #weareinthistogether
The fact that God knows our thoughts, in some ways The fact that God knows our thoughts, in some ways may be scary, but we should find comfort. Yes our thoughts can be dark and distorted and even we wonder where they came from, BUT because of Jesus, because He knows our thoughts and Jesus has walked this earth and understood what it means to be human then we should find comfort in someone truly understanding us. How many people can say they know your thoughts? No one and let's be honest if they did it probably wouldn't be a good thing... for anyone! LOL! BUT Jesus does know our thoughts, Jesus loves us unconditionally and desires for our thoughts to be replaced with HIS truth. Our thoughts will run wild if we don't circle them back to the TRUTH. Let's be clear God's Truth, not the truth of this world. The truth of this world changes daily, isn't absolute and isn't founded in unconditional love. Take comfort today my friends that someone truly knows you...every part of you and LOVES you just like you are. When your thoughts run amuck, circle back to God's truth and remind yourself what that is and who you are in Christ. We are a new creation, we are righteous because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Who better to hear our thoughts and understand us. NO one compares. ⁣
⁣
⁣
#renewedmind #fuel #captureyourthoughts #fuelyourmind #hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind #fuelyourmind #grit #youarenotalone #weareinthistogether
Lately I've been spending some time in the book of Lately I've been spending some time in the book of Ezekiel. Admittedly this book is over my head and I do not pretend to grasp all there is to know. It's one of those books I've avoided and figured when I'm older and wiser I'd try to tackle it. Well I'm definitely older, but not wiser. I digress. One thing I have been able to glean from this book is this idea of misplaced fear. The Israelites have abandoned God, believed false prophets and generally listen to everyone but God. This has lead them to a path of self-destruction as well as consequences from God Himself. What has surprised me (which it shouldn't because WE are just like the Israelites; we continue to do what we know we aren't supposed to) is that the Israelites feared everyone but God. Their fear was misplaced. Misplaced means incorrectly positioned. They should be afraid, but they were afraid of the wrong "guy." Like any good action/thriller movie the guy you think is the good good is really the bad guy and the good guy has been warning you all along but you've dismissed his warnings and have given your ear to a "false prophet." Sound familiar? All too often we fear the world and the consequences of this world, BUT If our HOPE is in Jesus and our FAITH is in HIM then the things of this world should not bring us fear, but a God who loves us and wants what's best for us, who's desire is to give us more. Our fear should should be missing what HE has in store for us. I don't know about you, but I surely don't want to miss that. ⁣
⁣
#misplacedfear #fear #Jesus #wisdomandknowledge #whomshallifear #Ezekiel #incorrectlypositioned #hopeandlaughter #thefundamentalfive #faith #faithfightsfear #fearnothing #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #fear #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors⁣
#anxiousfornothing #anxiousalways
Because it’s basketball season around here and w Because it’s basketball season around here and we may not be at the game but Baylor is gonna win!!! Sorry to my husband and any Jayhawk fans. #sicembears #beatku
Because I just need to laugh...and I bet you do to Because I just need to laugh...and I bet you do too! I love to laugh and days like today I needed it! Hope this makes you laugh too! 
#hopeandlaughter #defeatdiepression #anxiousfornothing #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #renewedmind 
#laughteristhebestmedicine 
#heresto2022
On the way home from school yesterday Zeke reminde On the way home from school yesterday Zeke reminded me that today is the Epiphany, the day that we as Gentiles, celebrate the King, Jesus, being manifested to the Magi from Matthew 2:1-12. We have hope because of Him. Our humanity is understood because of Him. Emmanuel with God with Us. What a gift that He came to earth and understands our heartache, brokenness, and loneliness. He understands our longing for Hope. Spend some time today thanking God for the gift of Jesus and thanking Jesus for being exactly what we needed. 

#hopeandlaughter #defeatdepression #anxiousfornothing #faith #thefundamentalfive #wearewarriors #morethanconquerors #psalm #quiettime #renewedmind #heisourhope #theepiphany #threewisemen #oneshepherd #onefamily
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