Apr 30, 2020
Today on the podcast is the oh so lovely, Kristen Strong. Kristen’s most recent book Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People, provides really intentional insight from her experience as a military wife and how she often had to pick up and start over with relationships and figuring out exactly where it was she belonged as they changed locations, as she entered the different seasons of motherhood and just navigated the sheer challenge that is adult friendships. Back Roads to Belonging is a great read for anyone trying to navigate meaningful relationships, but I think this conversation in tandem with pieces of her book brings some great thoughts to the forefront as we navigate how to feel a sense of belonging to the Lord and to others during this pandemic where we can’t physically be together, but we can still be part of one another’s lives.
Relationships matter, even though they are hard work. As we figure out what reentry into society and the process of discerning the next right steps looks like, remember that even if it takes work to press in and reconnect with your people, don’t give up if it feels funky or hard. Press in. Pray. There’s still room at the table, you belong, even if we’re still figuring out how to set it in this season. It matters that you are here. You matter.
Kristen and I, and mostly I, want to ask for some grace on this episode because we were battling some major technological and internet issues, but I promise it's worth sticking with us! Find ways to hear the episode, check out Kristen’s books and more below!
References:
Annie F. Downs episode with Kristen Strong
Back Roads to Belonging: Unexpected Paths to Finding Your Place and Your People
Girl Meets Change: Truths to Carry you Through Life’s Transitions by Kristen Strong
“Gladiator” - “we will meet again but not yet”
None Like Him: 10 Ways God is Different From Us (and why that’s a good thing) by Jen Wilkin
Max Lucado Coronavirus Checkins
Katelyn’s episode and story of hope and surviving cancer - Part 1 and Part 2
“Darkness fell. His friends scattered. All hope seemed lost. But Heaven just started counting to three.” - Bob Goff
Scripture:
Job 36:22-24. "God's power is unlimited. He needs no teachers to guide or correct him. Others have praised God for what he has done, so join with them."
Psalm 16:5-6 - “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places”
Hosea 3:5- His goodness is the end
Psalm 84:11- No good thing does the Lord withhold
Proverbs 16:4-14- (MSG) Everything has a purpose
Luke 24 - The first Easter there was just scared people in a house
Hebrews 13:5- He will never leave us or forsake us
1 Peter 1:3- He died to give us hope
John 16:33- In this world you will have trouble, but take heart
Exodus 12: Passover story
Esther’s story (you can also hear a reading of it on our podcast!)
Isaiah 42:16-I will lead the blind by ways they have not known before
Psalm 27:13- We land on the hope of God
Hebrews 6:19- We cling to the anchor of our soul
Connecting with Kristen:
Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories:
Instagram (Podcast) // Instagram (Writing, Family, and other general shenangians)
Intro and Outro music by audionautix.com