Abigail Murrish

Reading has not only been a hobby to fill my time, but it has matured me as a writer, friend, neighbor, woman, and follower of Jesus.

Last year for Lent, I didn’t give up desserts or Facebook as I’d done in years past. I gave up the phrase, “I’m busy.”

The church isn’t a consolation prize for the spouseless, childless, family-less. The church is my ultimate family.

I’m learning that my habits and the longings of my heart show me what kingdom my life is oriented toward.

Here are two practical ways Jesus is meeting me in my story and showing me grace in my Christmas melancholy.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed and busy with the holidays. By looking to stories of the season, we have tools to celebrate the birth of our Savior well.

Through my cooking, I balance the tension of living with the longings from Eden and awaiting the hope of New Jerusalem. What’s your cooking?

I was afraid that whatever beauty I had in the eyes of culture would disappear with my hair. And friends, that’s bad theology.