Category: Faith

The Gift or the Giver?

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

So often, I catch myself setting my heart on an outcome rather than God.

So often, I catch myself praying for gifts when the Giver wants to give me Himself.

Here’s the thing. 

We can pray for a thousand outcomes. God can give us every single one. And somehow, we can still end up miserable. Unsatisfied.

Which is why I want my prayers to change more and more.

From…

Lord, can you give me this? 

To…

Lord, can you give me You?

If insane success will draw me closer, then that is what I want.

If failing will draw me closer, then that is what I want.

If waiting will draw me closer, then that is what I want.

If finding myself in a place of mediocrity will draw me closer, then that is what I want.

I won’t lie. These are scary prayers. Because of course I want to be successful. Nobody sets out to fail. 

But I’m learning that when we set our hearts on God, we always win. No matter the outcome. 

Because He is the source of all joy and all peace and all hope and all comfort and all strength.

My heart’s cry is that I would learn more and more to go to that source. To ask for the Giver. No matter the gift.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. -Psalm 73:26

Let’s Talk: Are you placing your hope in an outcome or are you placing your hope in God? Whoa! How’s that for a convicting question? At least it convicts me. Please tell me I’m not the only one it convicts!

*photo by weddingmusings
 

Beauty from Pain

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

This theme unfolds all around us.

God bringing beauty from pain.

God breathing life into that which feels dead. 

It’s a running theme in my debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter.

It’s a running theme in adoption.

Every single one is born out of pain. Out of sadness.

It starts with frightened pregnant teenagers who don’t want to be mothers. It starts with houses steeped in addiction and abuse and neglect. It starts with countries afflicted by war and poverty and AIDS. It starts with parents who die and governments that devalue life. 

Orphans exist because our brokenness is real and pervasive. 

Yet God uses what is broken to reveal His glory, showcase His mercy, bring about healing, pour out His blessings, knit together families, and draw hearts closer to Him.

Beauty from pain.

Life from death.

It’s a truth that resonates deep in my soul.

Nothing is too broken, too tattered, too lifeless, too painful for the Master Craftsman.  

Not me.

Not you.

Not any choice we have made.

Or any circumstance we find ourselves in.

He can use it all to sculpt that which is beautiful and that which is breathtaking.

All we have to do is let Him.

Let’s Talk: Tell me about a “beauty from pain” story in your life or in the life of someone you know. 

In case you missed it, Southern Writers Magazine had me as a guest on their blog yesterday. I wrote about Love Delivered. Come say hi if you get the chance! 

The Secret of Being Content

Posted on by Katie Ganshert

The other day, I came across these words from Paul:

I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  -Philippians 4:11-12

Wow.

Talk about challenging.

Because seriously, content whatever the circumstances?

You mean as writers, we’re to practice contentment whether we have an agent or not? Whether we have a book deal or not? Whether we’re having a good experience with our publisher or not? Whether we have good sales or poor sales? Whether we’re writing in obscurity or writing in the spotlight?

You mean as adoptive parents, we’re to practice contentment whether we are happy with our agency or not? Whether we get a referral when we’re supposed to or not? Whether we bring our child home as scheduled or not? Whether our little ones adjust well to their new lives or struggle to bond?

Really?

God’s word says yes.

He wants us to learn contentment in every circumstance.

Because He knows something that tends to go right over our heads. At least mine.

Circumstances don’t bring contentment.

They might bring temporary excitement or happiness, but those feelings quickly fade. If we hinge our contentment on the hope of better things to come, we’ll never be content. 

We’ll forever live under the assumption that if we could just get an agent, or just get a book deal, or just earn out our advance, or just win an award….

We’ll forever live under the assumption that if we could just get that referral, or just get our travel plans, or just hold our child, or just help them adjust… 

Here’s the thing.

There will always be one more “just”.

Which is why these verses are worth remembering.

For writers. For adoptive parents. For pretty much anyone who lives and breathes and strives.

The source of our contentment is not our circumstances.

Does this mean we’re supposed to put on a happy face and smile when times are crummy? Does this mean that we’re not allowed to vent or cry or struggle?

Of course not. Even Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died.

It just means that at the end of the day, God wants us to rely on His strength. To rest in His grace. To trust in His goodness. To put our hope in His promises.

Through every situation. Through every season of life. Whether good or bad. 

Let’s Talk: What area of your life do you struggle with the most in regards to contentment?