Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Listening to God, Living Fully 28 Comments

Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God

I want to tell you a funny story today. One that taught me a great lesson. Here goes…

Fourteen exhausted, sweaty teenage boys plopped down on the bottom step of the gymnasium bleachers—my son being one of them. The assistant Junior Varsity basketball coach paced back and forth, lecturing them on the error of their ways. In the style of Sergeant Carter addressing Gomer Pyle,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesChristmas Inspiration, Expectant Living, God's love 18 Comments

Wrapping Up Christmas

Who in the world would wait until Christmas Eve to do their Christmas shopping? I find it hard to believe the statistics that show December 24th is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, so one season I decided to venture out to the stores and see for myself. I usually have my Christmas list complete by Thanksgiving to avoid the crowds,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesExpectant Living, When You Don't Like Your Story 48 Comments

This Is Not How I Thought My Story Would Go

I wonder, has your life turned out like you thought it would? If you’re like most of us, your answer is probably “no.” Maybe it’s better than you imagined. Maybe it’s worse than you thought possible. Most likely it’s just different.

When I hit 40, I realized life wasn’t turning out like I thought it would. There would be no gaggle of laughing children filling my home,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Confidence in Christ, General Inspiration 15 Comments

Just What You’ve Always Wanted

Yard sales. I’ve never really liked them. But when we were preparing to move from our home of twenty years, we decided it was the best way to clean out the clutter and make a little money.

We displayed our lovely attic décor on makeshift plywood tables and waited for the bargain babes to descend. Two hours before the advertised opening time,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesGod's love, Gratitude, Knowing God 144 Comments

When People Get On Your Nerves

It’s coming. We can’t stop it. The holidays are upon us. And while it is a joyous time of year, it can also try our patience and get on our last nerve. Actually, it’s not the season itself…but the people.  Am I the only one who feels that way? I don’t think so…smile.

While pondering the happy and the harrowing feelings that come along with all this togetherness that is coming over the next six weeks,  Read more…

Sharon JaynesA Sudden Glory, Gratitude, Trusting God 125 Comments

Gratitude Changes Everything

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, I’ve been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. What is it? When should we show it? What does God say about it? How does it change the way we view life? Then I remembered the day I got contact lenses.

See, when I turned forty, suddenly small letters and numbers got smaller.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesTrusting God, When You Don't Like Your Story 36 Comments

The Other Side of Why

My son, Steven, and I sat on the floor in his room playing a card game. This summer was proving to be the best ever. Our golden retriever, Ginger, had just delivered seven adorable puppies, Steven was enjoying his sixth summer of life, and after four years of negative pregnancy tests, God had surprised us with a new life growing inside my womb.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesEnough, Identity in Christ 56 Comments

Not Just a Sinner Saved by Grace

I’m going to mess with some of you today. You might not like it. I’ll be honest, this messed with me when I first grappled with the common saying. See…

When I was a teenager, I gave my life to Jesus. I came to know Him as my Savior and Lord and followed Him with all the knowledge I had at the time.  Read more…

Sharon JaynesForgiveness, God's love, When You Don't Like Your Story 38 Comments

The Step We Trip On

It was a Saturday college football game and I was doing what I like doing best—not watching the game but observing people. My seat was on the end of a long row of Carolina blue bleachers, and a steady flow of fans walked up and down the concrete steps. After a while, I noticed that four out of five people walking up the stands tripped on the step right in front of me.  Read more…