Years later we had settled in and it felt like home. Mom had done an awesome job. The inside was beautiful and the landscaping was immaculate. It was gorgeous. Our trees were no longer little twigs – they were full grown beautiful trees that provided a lot of shade.

He decided to prune.

One day Daddy announced he needed to prune the trees so they would grow back even fuller. He went about his business and I continued to jam out to my 45’s in my room. Those were the days, right?

Later when I went outside, I about croaked! The trees were pruned alright. Heavens, they were branchless. I was so embarrassed. Our beautiful shaded yard was now just bare with tree trunks standing. Of course, I gave my dad grief. But he assured me that those trees would grow back even fuller than before.

Months – MANY months – later I learned what pruning was all about – growth.

Daddy was right.

Listen in as we talk about the process of pruning. Daddy was right as our tree produced bigger, fuller, and even more branches than before.

If you are a subscriber click here to listen.

5 Advantages to Pruning

1. Pruning kills.

Sometimes we need to whack off what is not productive in our lives.

2. Pruning hurts.

Plain and simple — pruning is not fun, but it is essential.

3. Pruning refines.

Before new buds can begin to appear refinement takes place.

4. Pruning adds value.

Once the unproductive has been chopped, your value increases.

5. Pruning creates growth.

“Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleansesand repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.” John 15:2 AMP

What do you need to prune away today?

Don’t hesitate to chop the unproductive schedule, relationship, or habit.

New growth is waiting to bloom outward.

What I didn’t realize was how these words would stir in my heart again. They needed to be spoken out loud. Each step needed to be done.

If you are married, I challenge you to not let these just be words you hear. But rather act them out. Claim each step.

Note: If you are in an abusive or adulteress marriage this in no way applies to you. Please email me at alene at alenesnodgrass dot com.

Even in marriage kiss.

1. Remember your first love.

What drew the two of you together? personalities, sports, passions or interest. Remember those things and incorporate them back in to your schedule.

2. Always KISS.

Yes, we want to be romantic. But we need to remember to KISS (keep it simple)! You don’t need a large budget, find things you can do together for free. You don’t need a week off of work, find a few hours to sneak away by yourselves.

3. Be committed to the commitment.

Make this a first priority. The day will come when you wake up and wonder what have I done. It’s on those days when your commitment will hold you over until the love reappears.

After you complete the challenge issued, please comment and let us know how it went. I hope sparks were flying!

For a little fun, here’s a video of my recounting my first thoughts of this fairy-tale life of marriage. Click here for It’s a Love Story — Hubby, I love you!

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Are you tired, frazzled or just plain fried? If so, this episode of Living with Purpose will be just the encouragement you need as we’ll look at three activities that will refresh and renew.

While most of us can not take three days to sneak away for R&R, listen in to discover how you can incorporate habits in your life that will refresh you.

Here’s 3 activities that will lead to rest.

1. Unplug. 

Are you accessible 24/7 by phone, text, computer? If so, that is wearing. Decide to power down for an hour a day. The world can wait! (I unplugged for a week last summer. My note here.)

2. Get out in nature.

When was the last time you went for a leisurely stroll and enjoyed the beauty? There is peace to be found in the birds that sing and the wind that blows. There’s even glory in the unopened flower.

3. Make time for your hobby.

What do you enjoy doing for fun? When was the last time you did it? Schedule a couple of hours a week for your hobby. Letting your creative juices flow brings forth rest. Here’s what I love to do.

We all need rest. God made the sabbath rest for us as He knew we’d need it.

For more inspiration on why we should rest, click here.

You have permission to rest, my friend.

What about you? Do you have trouble resting?

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Do you recall the last time you knew God was calling you to a new way of living?

You commit to new habits and then before you know it your “normal” routine and schedule have snuck back in.  I have to admit it’s hard keeping those commitments. Breaking old habits and setting new routines stretches you out of your comfort zone.

Listen to this weeks episode of Living With Purpose for encouragement in moving forward.

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A Challenge to Move Forward

Jeremiah 7:23-24 says, “Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well! my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went back instead of forward.”

Can you say you are stretching to move forward? Are you obeying the call when God nudges you?

I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. Isaiah 46:10 MSG

After a hectic season, I am excited to be back podcasting. I pray you find encouragement in these short devotionals. Listen in to this week’s podcast to learn what it means to plan with the end in mind.

or  subscribe in itunes 

Do you want to live with purpose?

Plan with the end in mind.

Can you see the end from where you are now? The end will arrive — end of this job, end of this season, even the end of this life. There is no escaping it. One way or another the end will come. Live so that you will hear Jesus say, “Well done.”

From today forward, plan and be purposeful with that end in mind. The words “Well done” await you.

How can you plan with the end in mind? What is the purpose that guides you?

I was thankful awhile back to catch up with him for a quick phone interview. And I wanted to repost his words of wisdom again as I prepare to be wrecked, yet again, in Guatemala.

Repost of Podcast below:

Jeff Goins

He’s the best-selling author of “Wrecked ~ when a broken world slams into your comfortable world.” He has a successful blog, GoinsWriter.com, that inspires many to write and has recently launched a writing course at Tribe Writers. And while he is talented in many areas, he always seems to find a way to serve others in all he does.

Listen in to the wisdom Jeff shares about living with purpose.

 or  subscribe in itunes 

Jeff Goins – 5 thoughts about being wrecked on purpose

1. Have you always known you were called to write to serve others?

“the gifts closest to us, we tend to ignore”

“dreams are not about looking forward, but often about looking backward”

“my purpose is not something I do, it’s what I am”

2. In “You are a Writer” you talk about stepping into your calling, can you expound?

“it’s not about claiming your calling, it’s about stepping out of your insecurities”

“many gifted people are avoiding what they are called to do because they are afraid”

3. In your recent post “The Unexpected Path to Finding Your Dream“, you say most of us are asking — what am I supposed to do?

“if you are called, it’s about an act of faith”

“you have to put in the hours to accomplish where you need to be”

“pack your bags and start moving”

4. Can you expand on being committed long term to leading a wrecked life?

“being wrecked is more than a feel-good mission”

“being wrecked is a discipline – it will change with your seasons of life”

“you have to do the hard thing — choose discomfort”

“take the first scary step into the unknown to a story that is bigger than you”

5. What is your trick to balancing your commitments and priorities?

“life is tension — learn to live in the tension”

“if you do the work — you will see the results”

“I don’t believe in balance, I live by my core values”

What are your thoughts on being wrecked on purpose?

Thank you, Jeff! Your words speak volumes. If you would like to connect with Jeff you can find him on Twitter, Facebook, or on his blog.

When December started, it seemed so far away. I knew I wanted peace, and figured you might be struggling with the same. My heart craved room to breath.

Searching for peace has been a breath of fresh air as heart felt circumstances have unfolded. But no matter what your circumstances, I hope you’ve felt the wisp of peace permeate your soul.

To bask in His presence , be sure to re-listen to the devotionals. Listen in and enjoy the journey.

Merry Peaceful Christmas!

 or subscribe in itunes  If you are a subscriber, you can listen here.

I have many questions about the wise men, their journey, and their purpose.

How come they were the only ones that saw the star? What prompted them to leave? How did they know to take their best gifts? Did they know how long their journey would be? What did they envision; a King, a palace, people gathered all around, royal robes and crowns? Would they get to meet Him?

Do you think they knew the Shepherd, the Ruler of all people, would be born in a manager and live in an ordinary house?

As I ask questions, some things are becoming clear.

“We’re on pilgrimage to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2 MSG 

The band of scholars, better known as the wise men, were prompted and led by God to follow that star. The wise men knew the scriptures. They knew what had been prophesied about the coming Leader, Shepherd, Ruler, Savior and Messiah.

It appears they weren’t frazzled and worn-out during the season; they did see the star and sense the leading. They might not have been sure of every step they took on their journey to see the Christ King, but they knew enough to take along their best gifts.

Yes, these wise men were truly wise.

They were obedient to their call, didn’t forecast expectations of their journey and didn’t analyze every step they took. They simply just followed. The fact that no one else was following the star didn’t stop them.

I often set myself up for failure when I realize my expectations don’t match up to the real journey I’m on. I begin to compare myself to others and the journey they are traveling. This never leads anywhere.

May we each slow down, sense Christ’s spirit, and enjoy the journey. No questions asked.

Hallelujah, let’s enjoy the journey.

While I wrote this devotional over a year ago (listen in below), I find myself struggling with some of the same feelings again but for different reasons.

  or subscribe in itunes  If you are a subscriber, you can listen here.

I’ve tried to get in the spirit.

I shopped with my mom and all the girls last Friday, only to have the day topped off with the news of the Sandy Hook school shooting. Who cared about Christmas in that moment?

Saturday, I tried to share Christmas cheer as I visited a children’s home. We celebrated and laughed with these 30 young precious girls. But my mind was haunted — see these girls had been rescued from human trafficking. They were only a few years younger than my own daughter — teenagers with a past I couldn’t even fathom.

In the moment, I really didn’t care about what gifts I needed to buy.

But the Christmas spirit lives!

In 24 hours my life was wrecked again, heart ripped open, and rearranged. (I’ll write more on this later.) And while my heart was raw with emotion, Christmas was there.

Christmas was there in the smiles of the rescued girls. I found it in their language. I found it in there thankful hearts that we’d take time to share Christmas cheer with them.

That evening I went to the county jail, and the hugs of the girls so thankful to have somebody remember them said CHRISTMAS loud and clear.

Sunday I delivered a gift of tiny dress-up shoes to a little girl that always comes to church. The tears from her mom said CHRISTMAS!

Christmas is here.

If you’re struggling, remember you won’t find Christmas in packages, boxes, or bags. You won’t find it in a perfectly decorated home or in multitudes of gifts under your tree. No, you’ll find Christmas when you step out and show the love of Christ to another hurting soul. (tweet that)

What do you struggle with this Christmas?

Has the tragedies of the world numbed your heart?

How can you respond?

Was it the gift itself that made it special or the circumstance around it? As I prepare to have all the girls in the family over for a breakfast before our annual shopping trip, I can’t help reflect back on a very special gift from my dad. While the gift was amazing, I think it was the heart of his giving that made it perfect!

Listen in to this Christmas story.

Let your heart remember what is truly important. It’s the love surrounding the gift, not the gift!

 or subscribe in itunes  If you are a subscriber, you can listen here.

What was so unique about this best gift ever, was that it really didn’t turn out the way my dad had wanted.

Although everything we plan for this Christmas might not turn out EXACTLY how we plan, with the right attitude it can still be great. (tweet that)

The spirit with which we give gifts is so important!

I’d love to hear about your favorite gift ever?

Mary had no idea her cousin Elizabeth was with child until the angel revealed it. Often, what we don’t know can be more than what we do know.

As we meet with family and friends over the next few weeks may we be mindful that there is much we don’t know. There are stories behind their stories. There are things they are going through that they aren’t willing to share. There can be emotions and conflicts under the hurt. Real truths may rest under the happy, go-lucky smile.

So don’t judge or condemn. Don’t presume to know it all. And don’t be offended by what others do or don’t do.

 or subscribe in itunes  If you are a subscriber, you can listen here.

I am blessed to have many friends and an incredible family; however, I don’t know their every care. I don’t know their inward struggles, daily battles or every discouraging thought.

This holiday season may you be mindful there is usually more to any one story. Read your loved ones hearts then determine to be a ray of light, encouragement and joy to those you are around this Christmas season.

Speak words of encouragement with your eyes, smiles, hugs, and tongue.

And did you know . . .

Christ shines in you to bless others this holiday season.

If you’d like a fresh perspective of Christmas, download Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street. A short ebook written by myself and my homeless friend. It’s a true story of how there is always another side to the story. You can read the reviews and buy it today for $2.99 on Amazon Kindle.

How will you be determined to listen to the other side of the story as you gather with friends and family?