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	<title>A Journal of Love</title>
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	<title>A Journal of Love</title>
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	<item>
		<title>A Love Letter to Writing (Quiet-Time Review)</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/06/11/a-love-letter-to-writing-quiet-time-review/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/06/11/a-love-letter-to-writing-quiet-time-review/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jun 2026 22:41:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle & Personal Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Quiet-Time Review]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[a journal of love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[devotional writing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith and family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith writer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God’s faithfulness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus Christ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[journaling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed Online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal growth]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[testimony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writing journey]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marvlunreed.com/?p=8908</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There is something special about putting words on a page. For me, writing has always been therapeutic. It has been a place to process life’s challenges, celebrate victories, work through questions, and document God’s faithfulness. In fact, my first published piece was in the third grade. I had no idea then that decades later, writing [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is something special about putting words on a page.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For me, writing has always been therapeutic. It has been a place to process life’s challenges, celebrate victories, work through questions, and document God’s faithfulness. In fact, my first published piece was in the third grade. I had no idea then that decades later, writing would still be one of the ways God would allow me to connect with others.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I first accepted Christ at the age of 11 while navigating the loss of my dad (my boom, boom) and other close family members &amp; friends. But it was in my early twenties, after rededicating my life to the Lord, that my faith became deeply personal. I began reading the Bible with fresh eyes and a hungry heart. The truths I discovered didn’t just inspire me, they transformed me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As a young wife and mother, journaling became one of my greatest companions. Those notebooks held my prayers, struggles, dreams, questions, and lessons learned. They became a record of God’s faithfulness and a reminder that growth happens one step at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking back, I can see how those moments shaped who I am today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the coolest things about this season of life is realizing that people actually take the time to read what I write. Every week, I sit down and share a piece of my heart, and every week someone reads it, relates to it, comments on it, or shares it with someone else.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That never gets old.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a world filled with endless content, the fact that someone would spend a few moments reading my thoughts is both humbling and encouraging. It reminds me that our stories matter. Not because we are extraordinary, but because God can use ordinary people to encourage others in extraordinary ways.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My goal has never been to have all the answers.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I simply want to share a little love, a little encouragement, a little laughter, and hopefully a reminder that God is present in the everyday moments of life.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whether I’m writing about faith, family, fitness, marriage, personal growth, or the occasional chaos that comes with life, my prayer remains the same: that every post points people toward the love of Jesus Christ.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because He is my everything.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He is the source of my strength, my peace, my hope, and my joy. He is the reason I continue to write. Every lesson I’ve learned, every victory I’ve experienced, and every storm I’ve survived has been possible because of His grace.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So thank you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thank you for reading. Thank you for encouraging me. Thank you for allowing me to share this journey with you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As long as God gives me stories to tell and lessons to share, I’ll keep showing up week after week, doing what I’ve loved since third grade; writing.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And if through these words someone finds hope, encouragement, or takes one step closer to Christ, then I would consider every post, worth it…… </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>A Word of Encouragment</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whether it’s writing a blog, starting a business, launching a ministry, recording a song, writing a book, or pursuing a dream that has been tucked away in your heart for years, putting yourself out there can feel vulnerable. There are no guarantees about how people will respond. There will always be opportunities to second-guess yourself, compare your journey to someone else’s, or wonder if what you have to offer really matters.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But I’ve learned that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s choosing to move forward anyway.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Many of the dreams God places in our hearts require faith before we ever see the results. They require us to take that first step, write that first page, post that first blog, launch that first project, or simply believe that God can use our willingness and obedience for His glory.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’m grateful that I didn’t allow fear to silence my voice. Week after week, I continue to create, share, and trust God with the outcome. Not because everything I write is perfect, but because I believe the gifts He gives us are meant to be used. Somewhere along the way, I’ve discovered that obedience often opens doors that fear would have kept closed.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So if God has placed a dream in your heart, don’t ignore it. Nurture it. Pray over it. Take action toward it. Trust Him with the process. You never know whose life may be encouraged, strengthened, or impacted because you chose to step out in faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Three Dogs, Three Personalities, and a Lesson on Peace</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/06/04/three-dogs-three-personalities-and-a-lesson-on-peace/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/06/04/three-dogs-three-personalities-and-a-lesson-on-peace/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:06:12 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Authentic Living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Authenticity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Be Yourself]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Blessed Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Choose Joy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blogger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dog Mom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dogs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Embrace the Moment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Enjoy the Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Everyday Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith blog]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Family Adventures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family Life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Finding Peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[German Shepherd]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God’s Peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hope]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Inspirational Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Isaiah 26:3]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Joyful Living]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[personal growth]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Pet Stories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Positive Mindset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Protect Your Peace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trust god]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Weekly Encouragement]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marvlunreed.com/?p=8901</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[This week, our daughter and son-in-law came home for a quick visit to handle some work-related obligations and reconnect with a few friends. Along with their luggage, they brought their two dogs. Add those two to our one-year-old German Shepherd, Teddy, and suddenly we had three dogs, three very different personalities, and enough chaos to [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This week, our daughter and son-in-law came home for a quick visit to handle some work-related obligations and reconnect with a few friends. Along with their luggage, they brought their two dogs.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Add those two to our one-year-old German Shepherd, Teddy, and suddenly we had three dogs, three very different personalities, and enough chaos to keep us on our toes all week long.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To say these dogs gave us a run for our money would be an understatement.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our daughter and son-in-law had various activities planned throughout the week, which meant we got the privilege of spending lots of quality time with the dogs. Teddy was thrilled. In his mind, visitors had arrived, and life couldn’t get any better.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The other two dogs? Not so much.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">They were older, calmer, and quite honestly seemed a little annoyed by Teddy’s endless enthusiasm. While Teddy bounced around excitedly, they looked at him as if to say, “Please settle down.”</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But Teddy remained completely unmoved.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">No matter how much the other dogs ignored him, no matter how many times they gave him “the look,” Teddy refused to let their mood affect his own. He stayed joyful. He stayed excited. He stayed authentically and unapologetically himself.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He didn’t change who he was to gain acceptance. He didn’t tone down his enthusiasm because others weren’t matching his energy. He wasn’t concerned with fitting in or being understood. Teddy simply showed up as the joyful, positive dog God created him to be.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And honestly, there’s a lesson in that for all of us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Somewhere along the way, many of us learn to shrink ourselves, dim our light, or adjust our attitudes based on the reactions of others. But Teddy reminded me that there is freedom in being comfortable with who God created you to be. Not arrogant. Not insensitive. Just secure enough to remain joyful, hopeful, and positive regardless of what is happening around you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Watching him this week made me think about life.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">How often do we allow circumstances, or the attitudes, opinions, and behaviors of others, to determine our joy? How many times do we walk into a room feeling positive and leave carrying someone else’s frustration? How often do we surrender our peace because things aren’t unfolding the way we expected?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The truth is, life has a way of bringing both calm and chaos. Some days feel smooth and predictable. Other days feel like three dogs running through the house with completely different agendas.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Yet in the middle of it all, God invites us to maintain our peace.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One scripture that came to mind this week was Isaiah 26:3:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Maybe that’s what Teddy unintentionally taught me this week.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Peace isn’t the absence of chaos. Peace is maintaining your composure in the middle of it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s learning to enjoy the journey even when everything around you feels noisy and unpredictable. It’s trusting God through the ups and downs. It’s choosing joy when circumstances suggest otherwise.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It’s waking up each day and deciding that your attitude belongs to you and God, not to the opinions, moods, or actions of everyone around you.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So here’s my encouragement for this week:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Don’t allow the world to steal your joy. Don’t allow someone else’s bad day to become your bad day. And Most Importantly, Don’t allow temporary circumstances to rob you of lasting peace.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Like Teddy, stay excited about the blessings God has placed in front of you. Stay hopeful. Stay joyful. Stay expectant.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And above all, enjoy the journey and embrace the moments—even the chaotic ones.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">After all, sometimes God uses three dogs with three different personalities to remind us what peace really looks like.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Sweat, Strength, and Silk Presses: What My Hair Taught Me About Not Giving Up</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/28/sweat-strength-and-silk-presses-what-my-hair-taught-me-about-not-giving-up/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/28/sweat-strength-and-silk-presses-what-my-hair-taught-me-about-not-giving-up/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 29 May 2026 00:15:43 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Encouragement]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[SummerFitness]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[WeightTraining]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[WomenEmpoweringWomen]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://marvlunreed.com/?p=8892</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[As an African American woman, I already knew my hair would be an important part of my fitness journey. Increased heart rate can lead to sweating out hairstyles, edges fighting for survival, wash days multiplying, and figuring out gym hairstyles that still look halfway decent afterward… Especially now, as we head into the summer months. [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As an African American woman, I already knew my hair would be an important part of my fitness journey.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Increased heart rate can lead to sweating out hairstyles, edges fighting for survival, wash days multiplying, and figuring out gym hairstyles that still look halfway decent afterward…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Especially now, as we head into the summer months.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because nothing humbles you faster than walking out of the gym looking like your workout had a personal vendetta against your silk press.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But somewhere between the sweating, the increased heart rate, the weight training, the battle with sugar cravings, and working to become healthier mentally, spiritually, and physically… God started showing me something deeper:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em><strong>Consistency matters more than my comfort</strong>!</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And honestly, that lesson shows up in so many other areas of life too.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The last few days, I’ve been in Proverbs (chapters 1–7), and those chapters have been sitting on my heart as I write this week’s blog. Over and over, Solomon talks about wisdom, discipline, instruction, self-control, guarding your heart, staying focused, and not turning away from the right path.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This journey requires intentionality, and I’m learning that it is not about perfection! It’s about awareness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><em>And remember that becoming healthier is not punishment — it’s stewardship.</em></strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Prayer:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lord, thank You for carrying us through every season, even the seasons where growth feels slow, uncomfortable, or unseen. As we enter the summer months, help us to walk in wisdom, discipline, joy, and balance. Teach us how to care for ourselves spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically without losing softness, femininity, or peace along the way.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Help us to stay consistent even when motivation fades. Give us strength to make healthier choices, grace for the days we fall short, and wisdom to keep getting back up. Protect our hearts, guide our minds, and remind us that true transformation begins within.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May this summer be filled with laughter, healing, confidence, freedom, growth, beautiful memories, deeper faith, and renewed strength.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And Lord… please help our hairstyles survive these workouts and this humidity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In Jesus’ name,<br>Amen.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Happy Summer, friends. Let’s keep growing anyway.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<item>
		<title>This Month&#8217;s Fitness Update: What I&#8217;m Learning About Discipline, Sugar and Self-Care</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/21/this-months-fitness-update-what-im-learning-about-discipline-sugar-and-self-care/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 May 2026 16:42:31 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[balance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beginner weight training]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian Woman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Discipline]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith and wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith and welness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fitness Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fitness Motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fitness Update]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy lifestyle changes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthy Mindset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motivation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[realistic fitness journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reducing sugar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Self Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self care journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress and health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stress Relief]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Strong Women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellness Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women over 40]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8884</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[This month’s fitness journey has been about far more than weight loss. It has become a lesson in discipline, self-awareness, stress management, and learning how to care for myself differently in this season of life. One thing I’ve learned is that health truly impacts how you show up in the world. My recent weight gain [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>This month’s fitness journey</strong> has been about far more than weight loss. It has become a lesson in discipline, self-awareness, stress management, and learning how to care for myself differently in this season of life.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One thing I’ve learned is that health truly impacts how you show up in the world. My recent weight gain started affecting my energy, mobility, confidence, and even my mood day to day. And as a woman of a certain age, I realize now more than ever that mobility is essential. I don’t just want to lose weight — I want strength, endurance, flexibility, and the ability to move well for years to come.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because of that, I’ve started adding weight training into my routine. Slowly, but consistently. I’m learning that building strength matters just as much as cardio. Strength training is helping me feel more capable physically and mentally, and honestly, it’s becoming empowering in ways I didn’t expect.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Another lesson? What you eat and when you eat it, matters more than I realized.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’ve been paying closer attention to how certain foods affect my body, energy, and cravings. One real area of struggle for me lately has been sugar… especially candy!. Whew. That’s the truth. I’m learning that minimizing sugar isn’t just about appearance; it’s about feeling better overall. Less sluggishness. Less emotional eating. More balance.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This process is teaching me that discipline is often built in the small daily decisions nobody else sees.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I’m also discovering the importance of relieving stress in healthy ways. These 3-mile walks have become more than exercise for me. They’ve become quiet time. Reflection time. Prayer time. Mental reset time. Movement has helped me process emotions, clear my thoughts, and reconnect with myself.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And the good news? My knee is finally feeling much better. That alone feels like <strong><em>progress</em></strong> worth celebrating. Looks like I will be ready for a few races next year -in no time. This also means; inclines and leg raises are back in my workouts, which felt impossible not too long ago.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I think one of the greatest life lessons in this season is understanding that fitness is not punishment. <strong><em>It’s stewardship</em>!</strong> It’s choosing to honor the body God gave me and creating habits that support the life I want to live.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">No perfection over here. Just intentional progress. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>A Word Of Encouragement</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">If you’re on this journey too, I want to encourage you not to give up on yourself.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Real change rarely happens overnight. Some days you’ll feel motivated and strong… and other days you’ll wrestle with old habits, exhaustion, emotional eating, stress, or discouragement. I’m learning that health is not about perfection, it’s about making the choice, over and over again, to care for the body, mind, and life God has entrusted to us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Every healthy decision is an act of self-respect and stewardship.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And if you’ve fallen off track recently, this is your reminder that you can begin again today. Not next Monday. Not next month. Today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>Prayer</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lord,</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Thank You for giving us the opportunity to grow, heal, and become stronger; physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Help us to honor our bodies with wisdom and discipline. Give us strength on the days we feel weak, discouraged, overwhelmed, or tempted to return to habits that no longer serve us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Teach us to care for ourselves without guilt and to understand that rest, nourishment, movement, and peace are all forms of stewardship.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May we learn to love ourselves enough to choose what is healthy, life-giving, and sustainable. And may this journey not only transform our bodies, but also our minds, confidence, and hearts.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One decision at a time.<br>One day at a time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Amen.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<item>
		<title>A New Season Of Surrender!</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/14/a-new-season-of-surrender/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/14/a-new-season-of-surrender/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 23:06:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith Journey]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8862</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Well… we’re here now. #newseason Our youngest has graduated college and is preparing to begin a marketing internship in less than a week. And suddenly, I find myself standing in a brand new season, learning what it means to slowly release control and trust God even deeper. I have been a mother my entire adult [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Well… we’re here now. #newseason</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Our youngest has graduated college and is preparing to begin a marketing internship in less than a week. And suddenly, I find myself standing in a brand new season, learning what it means to slowly release control and trust God even deeper.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I have been a mother my entire adult life. My husband and I married young, and became parents as teenagers. So when you see us celebrating milestones like this, you are witnessing something deeper than achievement, you are witnessing the faithfulness of God over our little family.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In our early twenties, Terence and I rededicated our lives back to the Lord and made a decision to put Him first. Since then, we have had a front row seat to His perfect work, watching Him show up again and again in ways only He can. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I stand in awe!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Still, if I am honest, one of the hardest parts of motherhood is surrender. Releasing them little by little… while trusting they were never truly ours to begin with. They have always been safely held in THE FATHER’S loving hands.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So here I am…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A son graduated.  </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A daughter newly married and stepping into her next chapter.  </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A new season of writing, blogging, and completing my second book, while continuing to follow God’s lead and prioritize my health. </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Choosing obedience. Choosing the fear of the Lord.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And even in this quiet beginning, God is still speaking. Even with only one blog post this month, we are already nearing 2,000 visits. I haven’t pushed it or promoted it heavily, yet messages of encouragement keep coming in. And I know, this is not by my strength. When God assigns it, He breathes on it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So in this season of surrender, I will keep following His lead.  </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Keeping my eyes fixed on Him.  </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And sharing as He leads.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To every mother stepping into a new season, whether it’s empty nesting, releasing grown children, or simply learning to let go in new ways, you are not alone. God is with you in the shifting. He is faithful in the letting go just as much as He was in the holding on.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We are held too.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lord, thank You for every mother reading this. Strengthen her heart in this new season. Give her peace in the releasing, trust in the unknown, and confidence that You are guiding every step of her children’s lives. Remind her that what she placed in Your hands is safer than anything she could ever control. Cover her with Your peace that surpasses understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen!</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Quiet Sacrifices: A Mother&#8217;s Day Tribute</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/05/07/quiet-sacrifices-a-mothers-day-tribute/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 May 2026 00:10:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bible and motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Celebrating mom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blog for women]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grief and faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grief and motherhood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healing through Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[honoring mothers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[life after loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[loosing a mother]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mother's day blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mother's love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motherhood encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[motherhood inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[power of prayer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[praying mother]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[remembering my mother]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[single mother tribute]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Christian Walk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8824</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[As Mother’s Day approaches and I find myself on the verge of another family milestone, I feel the absence of my mother in a deep and tender way. It’s been six years since she passed, yet there are still moments when grief shows up quietly, unannounced, but familiar. This time of year has a way [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As Mother’s Day approaches and I find myself on the verge of another family milestone, I feel the absence of my mother in a deep and tender way. It’s been six years since she passed, yet there are still moments when grief shows up quietly, unannounced, but familiar.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This time of year has a way of stirring both gratitude and ache at the same time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I want to take a moment to honor my mother, and also celebrate mothers everywhere, especially those whose quiet sacrifices often go unseen.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I became a mother at a very young age, still learning myself while stepping into one of life’s greatest responsibilities. In many ways, I was growing up and raising children at the same time, holding on to the lessons my own mother had already planted in me.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My father passed when I was very young, around the age of four, so my mother raised me as a single mom. She was strong and steady, intentional in the way she parented. She carried wisdom, resilience, grace, and yes, like all of us, she also carried some pain.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As a young girl, she would read Scripture aloud to my great-grandmother. That love for God never left her. She introduced me to Jesus and taught me the importance of prayer. Because of her, and my great-grandmother, I always knew we were covered in prayer. Looking back, I realize those prayers became a spiritual inheritance that still carries me today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My mother was full of wisdom. She worked hard, cooked meals from scratch, and still made time to care for others. She carried both strength and softness in the same hands.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And through it all, you never questioned whether you were loved.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I miss her smile.<br>I miss her touch.<br>I miss the way she called my name.<br>I miss our conversations about the Bible.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There is a kind of loss that comes from losing both parents that is hard to put into words. At times, it feels like walking through life without the covering you once knew, navigating milestones, holidays, and everyday moments without the voices that once anchored you. There are moments when it simply feels like absence.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One of the greatest gifts my mother gave me was permission to grow. She once told me:</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Take what you like that I did as a mother, and disregard the things you don’t.”</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There was so much humility in that. So much grace. So much freedom in that kind of love.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So this Mother’s Day, I want to honor the quiet sacrifices of mothers everywhere, the sleepless nights, the unseen prayers, the emotional strength, the constant giving of self that so often goes unrecognized.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To every mother: you are seen. You are valued. You are appreciated more than words can express.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And to those who are missing their mothers, grieving a parent, or carrying quiet pain this season, I see you too! </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May God bring comfort to your heart and remind you that love like a mother’s never truly leaves us.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Stay Ready &#038; Full of Faith in a Distracted World</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/30/stay-ready-full-of-faith-in-a-distracted-world/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/30/stay-ready-full-of-faith-in-a-distracted-world/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 23:21:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Surrender]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith Journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle & Personal Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anchored in truth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Authentic Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Be Real]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Biblical Truth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Discernment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[End Times]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Faith blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith in uncertain times How to stay full of faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith over fear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jesus is Coming]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kingdom Mindset]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Love Growing cold]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Signs of the times]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spiritual awareness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stay faithful]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stay Ready]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Christian Walk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Truth over deception]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8778</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[We’re living in a time where you can feel it, love is not what it used to be. The Bible said it plainly: “the love of many will grow cold.” And if we’re honest, we’re watching it happen right in front of us. People are more divided, more hardened, more quick to tear down than to build [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We’re living in a time where you can feel it, love is not what it used to be.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The Bible said it plainly: <em>“the love of many will grow cold.”</em> And if we’re honest, we’re watching it happen right in front of us. People are more divided, more hardened, more quick to tear down than to build up. Everything feels louder, more chaotic… and yet somehow emptier at the same time.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Scripture already warned us about deception: <em>“See that no one leads you astray”</em> (Matthew 24:4).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This world is full of distractions, things designed to pull our attention away from what actually matters. And if we’re not careful, we attach ourselves to it without even realizing it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But if you believe the Word of God, then you don’t just see chaos, you recognize the times. <em>“You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times”</em> (Matthew 16:3). Everything unfolding should be waking us up, not lulling us to sleep.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">For those of us who believe, for those of us who are watching and truly longing for Christ’s return, we are called to live differently.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not perfectly. But intentionally.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind”</em> (Romans 12:2).</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This walk is about surrender.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not my will… but Thy will be done (Luke 22:42).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That shows up in real life, in our choices, our relationships, our reactions, our obedience. It’s not just something we say; it’s something we live.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And let me say this, because this matters just as much…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">None of it means anything if we’re not being real.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Authenticity is what connects. People don’t need perfection, they need truth. They need to see what faith looks like when it’s lived out daily. The wrestle (especially with those morning workouts…. smile). The growth. The surrender.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And I’m not talking about using filters (that’s just for fun), botox, or how you wear your hair (extensions, locs, knotless braids or not – that’s just your style – do you!)… I’m talking about being real in how we relate to one another. How we show up. How we love. How we forgive. How we extend grace when it’s not easy.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth”</em> (1 John 3:18).</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Being real doesn’t mean you water down truth, it means you walk it out with integrity. Quietly. Consistently. Even when no one is watching.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because that’s what sets you apart.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In a world where love is growing cold, we’re still called to love, but not the world’s version of love. A rooted, anchored, enduring love. <em>“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony”</em> (Colossians 3:14).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We also stay ready.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not in fear, but in awareness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect”</em> (Matthew 24:44).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">That’s the posture.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Watchful. Grounded. Anchored in truth.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because He is coming back.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And I don’t just want to say I believe that. I want my life to reflect it.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To stay ready. To stay full of faith.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong>That’s why this platform matters to me</strong>! Not for attention. Not to add to the noise. But to share truth. To stay rooted. To encourage anyone reading this to stay awake, stay grounded, and stay anchored in Him.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because in the end, “the grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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		<title>Locked In: Finding My Rhythm in Faith, Fitness, and Discipline (Faith &#038; Fitness)</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/23/locked-in-finding-my-rhythm-in-faith-fitness-and-discipline-faith-fitness/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/23/locked-in-finding-my-rhythm-in-faith-fitness-and-discipline-faith-fitness/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 21:45:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bodyy is a temple]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian wellness journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consistencyoverperfection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith and fitness journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith driven]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Healthy Habits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healthy living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lockedin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[morning routine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[progression not perfection]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[purpose driven llife]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[run your race]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[show up for yoursellf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Stay the course]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Christian Walk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8772</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[There’s something powerful about getting your rhythm back. Not perfect. Not finished. But steady… consistent… intentional. The goal? 3 miles each morning (add in weights three times a week). I can feel the shift—not just in my body, but in my mind. I’m more focused. More disciplined. More locked in. And it’s not about chasing [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There’s something powerful about getting your rhythm back.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not perfect. Not finished. But steady… consistent… intentional.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The goal? 3 miles each morning (add in weights three times a week). I can feel the shift—not just in my body, but in my mind. I’m more focused. More disciplined. More locked in.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And it’s not about chasing perfection. I’ve still got a ways to go. But it feels good to show up. It feels good to commit and follow through.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This year looks a little different, too. No races planned. It was all about the wedding, and it was worth every moment. Next year? We’ll see what’s in store. I’ll take it one step at a time and see if I’m ready to hit the road again. Right now… not yet.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My structure has been simple:<br>Monday through Friday—I’m all in.<br>Saturday—taking care of home, responsibilities, life.<br>Sunday—true rest. Reset. Restore.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And those morning posts? That’s my accountability. Not for validation, but for discipline. A reminder to myself that I showed up again.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because here’s the truth—how we care for ourselves matters.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 that our bodies are temples. That means how we move, how we fuel, how we rest—it’s all part of stewardship. And in 1 Timothy 4:8, we’re reminded that physical training has value. Not everything—but it matters.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So when I wake up early, spend time in the Word, and then push my body—it’s more than a workout. It’s alignment. Spirit, mind, and body moving together.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s obedience. It’s discipline. It’s preparation for what God has called us to carry.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So wherever you are in your journey—start. Start imperfect. Start tired. Start unsure. Just start.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because something shifts when you decide to show up for yourself… consistently.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And one day you’ll look up and realize—you’re not just going through the motions anymore…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">You’re locked in.</p>
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		<title>Choosing Love, Unity and Forgiveness Daily</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/16/choosing-love-unity-and-forgiveness-daily-quiet-time-review/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/16/choosing-love-unity-and-forgiveness-daily-quiet-time-review/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 21:38:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[building a strong marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[choosing love in marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christ-Centered marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian living]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian marriage blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christian wife encouragement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faith and relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[forgiveness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grace in relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[love and unity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage and communication]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage and faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage struggles and growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marriage testimony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed Online]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relationship growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual groth in marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unity in marriage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wife life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women of faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[women of faith marriage]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8762</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Today’s blog, I felt led to focus on marriage (as our anniversary approaches). In this life, many of us are still learning how to navigate marriage, parenting (and the different seasons of parenting – ie young-adults/or being empty nesters), and faith. It isn’t always easy, but in my humble opinion, it is worth it with [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today’s blog, I felt led to focus on marriage (as our anniversary approaches).</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In this life, many of us are still learning how to navigate marriage, parenting (and the different seasons of parenting – ie young-adults/or being empty nesters), and faith. It isn’t always easy, but in my humble opinion, it is worth it with Jesus at the center.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Today’s focus is simple, yet powerful: <strong>choosing love, unity, and forgiveness, daily.</strong></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My husband and I both began in private school—he in a Christian school connected to his home church, and I in a Catholic school until second grade. That changed after my mother had a conversation with a priest <strong>whose views</strong> deeply impacted her decision to remove me from that school. I continued my education in public school (mentioned in my previous blog) in Chicago until we moved during my eighth-grade year to the suburbs. It was there, at sixteen, that I met my now-husband. Not long after, we were married and began building our family.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Like many women of faith, my story carries layers—moments of growth, challenge, and grace that have shaped how I show up in my marriage today.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The beginning of our marriage was rough. We were teenagers with a lot of growing still ahead of us. But even in the growing, God remained faithful. Taking time for each other and for God has been key. We’ve learned that overcoming obstacles, building communication, and intentionally dating each other, even in marriage, keeps love alive and rooted.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What I’ve learned is this: marriage is a place of growth. It’s where God refines us, stretches us, and teaches us how to love well, not perfectly.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">With Christ at the center, He teaches us how to love our husbands with patience, to listen without defensiveness, and to respond with grace, even when it’s hard. He helps us see the good in one another and remain rooted in truth without losing compassion.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So we choose, daily:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We choose forgiveness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We choose empathy over assumption.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We choose grace in our words and in our responses.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We choose to build, not tear down.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We choose love, not just as a feeling, but as a decision empowered by Christ.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Forgiveness doesn’t erase what happened, but it frees our hearts from carrying it. And love doesn’t ignore truth, it walks in it with grace.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As wives and women of faith, the way we love in our homes matters. It sets the tone. It creates space for healing, growth, and unity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My prayer is that we would be women who reflect Christ well in our marriages, women who forgive, who listen, who uplift, and who love deeply.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Not perfectly.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">But always rooted in Him! </p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">At the end of the day, marriage is not about perfection—it is about perseverance, humility, and love that is continually shaped by God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There will be moments that stretch us, and seasons that refine us, but even in those spaces, God is present, teaching us how to love better, speak softer, forgive quicker, and extend grace deeper.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As women of faith, we are not just building homes—we are cultivating environments where Christ is reflected. In how we respond. In how we forgive. In how we choose each other again and again.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And when we fall short, we are reminded that His grace fills every gap.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“So above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” — Colossians 3:14</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May we continue to choose love.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May we continue to choose unity.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">May we continue to choose forgiveness.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And may our marriages always point back to Him (God, Our Father).</p>
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		<title>God&#8217;s Transforming Power: He is Still Writing Your Story!</title>
		<link>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/09/gods-transforming-power-he-is-still-writing-your-story/</link>
					<comments>http://marvlunreed.com/2026/04/09/gods-transforming-power-he-is-still-writing-your-story/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 16:55:30 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Amazing Grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christian testimony]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christianity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Encouragement for women of faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[faith journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[family]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Focus]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God is still writing my story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[god's purpose for my life]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[God's transforming power]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Growing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[healing through christ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marvlun Reed]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Overcoming pain through faith]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[personal relationship with God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Proverbs 31 woman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[redemption story]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Restoration in Christ]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[spiritual growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[surrender to God]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Christian Walk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trusting God's Plan]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://marvlunreed.com/?p=8755</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[Most of my blogs are written in advance, prayed over, then released. I do that because what I place here has to be birthed out of my relationship with God… what I hear Him saying, and my willingness to yield (surrender) as a vessel for Him to speak. Lately, though, I am still discovering my [&#8230;]]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<body>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Most of my blogs are written in advance, prayed over, then released. I do that because what I place here has to be birthed out of my relationship with God… what I hear Him saying, and my willingness to yield (surrender) as a vessel for Him to speak.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Lately, though, I am still discovering my voice again here on this platform.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I heard God say clearly: make it personal.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In the past, my blogs have often been inspired by sermons, books, and the wisdom of others. But this time, I sensed Him leading me differently. To reach certain people, I have to share parts of myself—real moments, real struggles—so others know they are not alone.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This journey isn’t always easy. Some battles are hard fought. But I believe that with Jesus, God makes life that much sweeter… even in the middle of pain.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The death of my dad—and how he died—made me angry. Deeply angry. I was 4.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Then came more loss. More grief. More questions.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">It wasn’t until my early 20s that I picked up the Bible for myself and began to read it… really read it. Although, I had a difficult time understanding it at first.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">My mom used to tell me stories about when I was little, how I would throw shoes at her, even locked her in the closet once. Things I don’t remember. My dad’s death impacted me, and I in return became angry, and began to move in silence.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">When triggered… that anger would come rushing out. And right behind it, the tears!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">There were moments when others didn’t understand me, they didn’t understand the tears. That was until my aunt (my mom’s youngest sister) said, “This is the anniversary of her dad’s death.” And to others that made sense.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Growing up on the south side of Chicago, I got into fights. I was quiet, and kept to myself – which probably made me a target. But, when faced with an opportunity to fight, I never back down. I carried that anger with me, releasing it in moments when I felt pushed or threatened.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Still quiet. Still somewhat shy. But also a young girl determined to, in her young mind, avenge a loss she didn’t fully understand.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The streets near where I lived on 79th were rough. My mom placed me in a elementary school that was outside of the district I lived in. She was a widow/single mother at the time, so I had to walk to and from school on my own. She gave me a determined path (which I would veer off of from time to time, exploring). I would walk more than ten blocks, let myself into our third-floor apartment, and sit with emotions I didn’t yet have the words to explain. I was a latchkey kid!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Looking back now, I can see it clearly…</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God was keeping me.<br>Even then.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Through the anger.<br>Through the silence.<br>Through the fighting.<br>Through the tears.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">And now, He’s calling me to share my story!</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Because someone else needs to know—<br>you can come from broken places and still be made whole. You can carry anger and still find healing. You can lose, grieve, and question… and still find your way to God.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">This one is personal for me!</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“<em>Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”</em> – Romans 12:19</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God’s transforming power is not a moment—it’s a journey. It’s found in the quiet surrender, the unseen prayers, the tears we thought no one noticed, and the healing we didn’t think was possible. He takes every broken piece, every hidden scar, every chapter we wish we could erase—and He rewrites it with purpose.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">What once felt like endings were really beginnings in His hands.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">I am living proof that God still restores, still redeems, still calls, and still covers. The girl who once tried to protect her heart by keeping people at a distance now understands that true safety is found in <strong>Him</strong>. The pain that once shaped my fear has now become part of my testimony. And the love I once struggled to receive, I now freely give—because of <strong>Him</strong>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">God is still writing my story. <br>And He’s still writing yours.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So wherever you find yourself today—in the middle, in the waiting, or starting over again, know this: your story is not finished. His pen has not left the page. And what He is writing will be far greater than anything you could have written on your own.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trust the Author. <br>He makes all things beautiful… in His time.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“He has made everything beautiful <em>and</em> appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end.” – <strong>Ecclesiastes 3:11</strong> (amplified Bible)</p>
</blockquote>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"></p>
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