Jana Carlson - Pursuing Otium Sanctum

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Today they gave me what I wanted most: time with a

Today they gave me what I wanted most: time with all of them, yummy food that I didn't fix, and a nap.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

It doesn't get much better than that. Happy Mother's Day friends!

Dear Mamas, Here's a reminder that on those days

Dear Mamas,

Here's a reminder that on those days that you just can't wait to lay your baby down for a nap, only to realize they never sleep...those days, though they feel long, go fast!

Cliches are terrible in writing, but there's a reason we keep repeating them. It's because they're TRUE!

The days are long, but the years are short.

We have a college graduate now. 🎓 She graduated with Honors and she's basically a stud in all things. Plus she turned 22 this week.

So I guess I'm THAT old now. 👵

Anyways, Mamas...I want you know that even when seasons of Motherhood change, YOU ARE SEEN!

El Ro'i, the God who sees, sees you, and he knows all the things going on in your heart. Check out this week's post to learn more. 🔗in bio.

What are you doing for Mother's Day? Tell me below! 🌺🫶

Dear Mom who feels invisible, You are not alone,

Dear Mom who feels invisible,

You are not alone, you are seen.

El Ro'i sees you and pursues you.

May you know him, and feel seen by him this #mothersday.

To read more about the God who sees. Visit 🔗 in bio.

To 'abide' means to remain and stay connected.

🍇It means 'stay' when the going gets rough.
🍇It means 'stay' in the Word when it's difficult to do so.
🍇It means to 'stay' and keep trusting that fruit will come, BECAUSE you're connected to the VINE.

So often we complicate things. We strive after faith, instead of resting on the Faithful One. You might be encouraged that even saints we consider "Greats" in the faith have had to learn this lesson too.

🍇Learn more in this week's post. 🔗 In bio

"Lazarus, come forth!" Did you know that someday

"Lazarus, come forth!"

Did you know that someday your dead ears will hear your name called out too?

How mighty and how powerful is the word of God that raises the dead to life!

Find out more in this post, 🔗 in bio. ✝️

He is risen, friends. He is risen indeed! ✝️

He is risen, friends. He is risen indeed! ✝️

When your son asks you to serve with him for a wee

When your son asks you to serve with him for a weekend at a Mexican orphanage, you go.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them, for such is the kingdom of God." Luke 18:16

I agonized over this post. I listened to hours o

I agonized over this post.

I listened to hours of sermons on this passage. Started writing it, stopped writing it. At least 4 drafts trashed. Set it aside for a few days. Dreamed about it. Prayed about it. Asked others to pray about it for me, and then, finally, it came.

By the time I hit publish, I thought I had THOROUGHLY saturated my heart with it's contents. ♥️

But then...

A few hours after I finally felt released of it, we got a text that threatened to overflow my heart with worry.

Friends, after the initial shock, I just had to laugh. What else could I do?

While I thought my struggle with these words were behind me, the Lord said there's still more in front of you.

"Let not my heart be troubled" has a whole new meaning right now.

This is not just an exercise in writing, this is an exercise in living out what I write and what I believe.

In the wake of national news that threatens to overflow our hearts with grief, and in my own season of waiting on the Lord, THIS is what we need most right now.

The way, the truth, and the life, is where I'm intentionally choosing to fix my gaze. I hope you are too! ♥️

Encourage my heart and read this post. Share it if you think it's worthy. 🔗 In bio..

"I am the way, the truth, the life" John 14:6 🛣

"I am the way, the truth, the life" John 14:6 🛣️

When these words were given, the disciples hearts were very troubled. Maybe your heart is troubled today too and comfort feels out of reach.

You can have an untroubled heart even in troubling times if you know the Way.

Read more 🔗 in bio.

The Good Shepherd will go to whatever lengths are

The Good Shepherd will go to whatever lengths are necessary to save his sheep. You might even say he'll save and protect his sheep, by crook or by hook. 🪝🐏

Jesus said "I am the door." 🚪 At first I didn'

Jesus said "I am the door." 🚪

At first I didn't get how rich this statement really was. But in studying this passage this week, I was blown away at the personal, protective, and liberating truth that his door brings to the life of the believer.

Not only is it a statement of his protection over his sheep, but he's also the place of access and freedom for his sheep.

Friends, this statement is for your confidence and joy. Nothing gets to you that hasn't first gone through the door of your Savior. ❤️

Read more about it through the 🔗 in bio.

Not all doors that seem to be closed, are. There's

Not all doors that seem to be closed, are. There's one door, that's open, and it's the only one that really matters. Will you go through THAT door?
https://cara-ray.com/behind-the-open-door-access-to-the-only-true-celebrity/

Did you know God tells the waves where they are to

Did you know God tells the waves where they are to STOP 🛑? If that is true, and it is, then not one detail of your life goes unnoticed by the God of creation who controls even the very boundaries of the sea. 🌊 Take heart, friends.

I don't need to tell you the world is a dark place

I don't need to tell you the world is a dark place. We see and feel it everyday, everywhere.

But there is a remedy to the darkness, it's to follow the one who said he was the light of the world.

He wasn't merely "like" the light. He said he WAS the light.

He's the light for your own darkness in the hidden places only you know about (he knows it too).

He's the light for your lack of wisdom. His light brings knowledge.

He's the light for your situations that you don't know the answers to.

His light overcomes ALL darkness, and you can trust him.

🔗 In bio to read more. ❤️

So this is 47. 💕 Today I went to a new exercis

So this is 47. 💕

Today I went to a new exercise class at my gym. I don’t know what I expected with a class name like “Bounce,” but a lot of bouncing was had.

As a newbie, there was a lot to think about. I was fully engaged trying to keep up with the choreography, while simultaneously not peeing my pants, or falling off the mini-tramp. (Thankfully, I accomplished all three!🙌)

At one point, I thought, “I’m too old for this. Maybe I can sneak out unnoticed.” But I kept going, and kept bouncing and kept sweating like crazy. In the end, it was a lot of fun, and I plan to go back.

I guess that’s a good metaphor for birthdays too. Aren’t we all just trying to keep up and not make a fool of ourselves at the same time?

This last year has certainly stretched me. Like the Bounce class, I keep finding myself in new situations where I’m outside my comfort zone and self-conscious that I’m about to fall on my face. But despite all that…I’m also having a blast!

So, I'm thankful for the Lord's kindness and mercy in giving me these MANY trips around the Sun. Praying he'll give me many more. ❤️

Do you ever think of your words as art? ✒️🎨

Do you ever think of your words as art? ✒️🎨

Maybe that feels a little too lofty for you, but really art is anything that is true, good, and beautiful.

And aren't those the very definition of who God is?

He is TRUTH, he is GOODNESS, and he is BEAUTIFUL! Paul tells us in Phil 4:8 that these are the very things we need to think upon.

In today's blog post, I'm sharing more about the Writers' Bloc and the heart behind it. I hope you'll check it out and join my for my free webinar next week!

Deets in the 🔗!

Do you ever wrestle with feeling overwhelmed or in

Do you ever wrestle with feeling overwhelmed or inadequate to share your message with the world? 🙋🏽‍♀️

There are so many things to know and learn when we write online ESPECIALLY when we write for the Lord!

There seem to be new rules that are unique for those who write in the Christian blogosphere -- and it feels like no one is talking about them!

If you ever ask yourself...

💜 Is this the right message to share?

💜 Who am I even writing to???

💜 Will what I write today, embarrass me tomorrow?

💜 What if my words are criticized or people don't respond positively?

If this sounds like you, then you need the Writers' Bloc! 💜✒️

Sign up to join me next Tuesday, Feb 21st at 1 EST for a FREE webinar where we'll go over the 7 Secrets you need to know to improve your writing, connect with your readers, and build an online platform that glories the Lord!

Link is in the bio! Don't miss out! You need these SECRETS applied in your life today! 💜

#mywritersbloc #lovegodlovewordslovereaders #writersbloccommunity #getunblockedwithwritersbloc

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with yo

I'm so excited to finally be able to share with you that the Writers' Bloc site is LIVE! 💜✒️

On the site, you can...

💜Learn what the Writers'Bloc is all about.

💜How our focus will be on the ART and HEART of writing.

💜 Meet our first teachers in the Bloc and see their exciting upcoming topics!

And MOST IMPORTANTLY of all, you can register for the FREE webinar! 👏👏👏

This webinar is all about how to grow in the art and heart of writing, and build a God-glorifying platform at the same time.

If you're a Christian writer, or you have aspirations to write, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!

P.S. Can you do me a favor and help spread the word? Tag a friend who you think would benefit from the Writers'Bloc below! ⤵️

🔗 In bio

I guess we're at that stage in married life where

I guess we're at that stage in married life where there's no longer anxiety around "doing enough" or even "doing anything" for Valentine's Day. ❤️

I know he doesn't care about cards, and he knows I don't need roses.

All I need for Valentine's day is a dinner with him where we can finish all those conversations that often start and then get interrupted.

Sometimes I long for a time in the future when there will be less worry and less needs. (Will that ever come? 🤷‍♀️ I'm not holding my breath.)

But then I'm reminded that it's in the abundance of need and busyness that the all-sufficient grace of Jesus carries us.

To everything there is a season, and I'm thankful for this crazy, love-filled, bone-tired, depending-on-grace season we find ourselves in.

And I'm thankful for a Tuesday night date, a decent Asian salad, and the best company with my forever-Valentine. ❤️❤️

Happy Valentine's Day friends! How have you spent your Valentine's? 💌 ⤵️

We know about seasons, right? Winter, Spring, Summ

We know about seasons, right? Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall. 🌷🌻🍁❄️

But have you ever considered that your creativity runs in seasons and cycles too?

You know those times you're fascinated with a topic and researching, taking notes, going on wild goose chases to get the information you need...guess what? You're in SPRING. 🌷

Your mind is like fertile soil where seeds of information and inspiration are planting themselves.

Then when you take the information and start pumping out the words, sitting for long hours in front of your computer, smithing each word until it's just right...You're in SUMMER! 🌻 That's when you take advantage of the long days of sunshine to get work done.

But soon, the words are just right and it's time to share them. This is the abundance of AUTUMN'S harvest. 🍁It's time to reap what you've sown and share your work with the world.

Then it's time to hunker down a bit, reset, and let your body, mind, and soul get nourished again. This is the important (and often neglected) season of WINTER.❄️

Creative friends...

Seasons are part of God's created order to bless us! We were created to work within these confines and THRIVE in them. 🌷🌻🍁❄️

I invite you to check out this week's post about seasons. There's a bonus at the end...a BEAUTIFUL, FREE, GUIDED WORKBOOK to help you work through your own creative process and lean in/not resist your season of life and creativity.

To everything there is a season, friends. Even your creativity! ❤️