Author Archives: gretchenr17

About gretchenr17

Wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend. Writer, farmer, fellow sojourner... at every turn I learn a bit more about God's wild mercies.

Twelve

Posted on January 22, 2024 by gretchenr17

Do you remember that feeling when you have heard a story o may times, that you tend to tune it out until it becomes blah, bah, blah in our heads? The eighth chapter of Luke contains four different events and … Continue reading →

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Wormwood

Posted on April 5, 2023 by gretchenr17

I have been surrounding myself with faith based things during my day. From listening to testimonies, God stories, Scripture readings, all of which is good and satisfying. However, I find myself being lulled into thinking I am hitting all the … Continue reading →

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Battles

Posted on March 27, 2023 by gretchenr17

I woke in the night with a song in my head, It may look like I’m surrounded, but I’m surrounded by You, This is how I fight my battles. Yesterday in church, after the message, there was an extended time … Continue reading →

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Stirrings

Posted on March 23, 2023 by gretchenr17

As my first marriage ended, I forgot aspects of my faith. I became so focused on being a warrior that I forgot Who gave me my strength. In the final months I was in a state of continuous prayer, but … Continue reading →

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Waking up

Posted on January 30, 2023 by gretchenr17

I leaned hard into my faith when my ex husband and I separated. I knew God was all I had, He knew my past, present, and future. He would be faithful to me on this journey. I would lean into … Continue reading →

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Detours and going off road

Posted on January 24, 2023 by gretchenr17

Much of my life has included unexpected turns, but I think 2022 tried to break my record. I lost my uncle, my mom’s big brother in the early part of the year. His death reverberated through us all and drew … Continue reading →

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Wind and water

Posted on August 14, 2022 by gretchenr17

Today at church the service was kid friendly. There were beach balls, squirt guns, popcorn, competitions, and lots of joy. The message was on James 3 and the power of the tongue. The bit in a horse’s mouth and the … Continue reading →

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there’s a sweetness

Posted on February 14, 2022 by gretchenr17

I sat in a different place in church yesterday. There was nothing special about the seat, how I acted during the service, nothing out of the ordinary. Yet it became a place of sweet communion between myself and the couple … Continue reading →

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Tarnished gold

Posted on January 14, 2022 by gretchenr17

I have been stumbling. Not fully falling down, yet losing my balance, a case of vertigo for my faith. I know the foundation is there, yet I cannot seem to place my feet on the solid base. Ever since my … Continue reading →

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On Mute

Posted on October 29, 2021 by gretchenr17

It’s been over six months since I wrote with any consistency. I wanted to write something to inspire and encourage, maybe challenge someone as they were on their own faith journey. I just never expected to lose sight of my … Continue reading →

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