Gratitude or Platitude?
Recently I was in a store and I overheard a lady with her child prompting the child to say thank you to a store employee. Just as we would in the United States, here in Spain parents want their children to use good manners and to learn good habits.
However, I’ve seen the look on some of those children’s faces. And I know that while they may be saying the words out loud in their heart, they do not necessarily feel the corresponding emotion. As adults, the same thing sometimes happens. We have learned to be polite, and so we say thank you to others constantly. But saying thank you is not the same as actually feeling gratitude. In fact it can be just Insincere, empty words.
Read More
You let me go
Happy Father’s Day to the best dad ever. What do great fathers do that make their children grow into independent, successful adults? Read the secret here!
Read More
God's Word is not Bound
Lately this phase that Paul wrote to Timothy (2 Tim. 2:9) has been repeating in my mind. Maybe because I’ve personally felt so chained by our strict lockdown here, and everything we want to do is prohibited, restricted, or cancelled—after awhile it feels disheartening. Or maybe this verse is resonating because through some of the circumstances of our current reality God has really shown me the power of His Word even more. One of those examples for me recently has been “online church” which, let’s face it, probably NONE of us would have chosen as the ideal choice for our congregation—on screens. Over live-streaming. In Zoom calls. On Google Hangouts or Facebook Messenger or even the world’s most ancient iPod audio file. BUT…. His WORD has never been made LESS because of these constraints.
Read More
My Shameful Secret
Well, that title is total clickbait, but seriously, I’m about to admit something that few people know about me. But I take comfort in the fact that I’m not alone in this habit, and I believe that saying it out loud (of sorts) will help cure me…
My name is Ariel, and I’m a HOARDER.
Whew, it feels better to get it out in the open, and maybe I can even begin to get past it. But then again, maybe not.
Read More
Devotional Classics
It’s time for an update on what I’m reading. But first, let me give you a little backstory…Five years ago, a few months after I’d moved here to Madrid, I asked my FB group (Rainey Days in Spain) for devotional recommendations for the coming year (2015), and I got SO MANY suggestions that I’m STILL not done with the list.
Read More
Benefits of Quarancrap💩
I have these two peace lilies I bought three years ago. I bought them on the same day so I call them “brothers” and the one brother has always been more robust. He grows thicker and taller than his “little brother.” But I was so happy to notice that the little guy has a flower blooming! I love seeing this quarangrowth! And this morning I thought of how God must feel seeing His children blooming and developing right now. Because our current circumstances might be total 💩 but that’s how *fertilizer* works! May it produce some deep spiritual growth in me—things that need to change and grow and blossom, for His glory!
Read More
Ordering bread in Spanish
You know one of the best things about living in Europe? The FOOD!
You know one of the best things about living in Europe? The FOOD! Here I am living in a country where there is a bakery on every corner, and I’m sure half my friends are jealous of the fresh breads and pastries available here every single day.
When I lived in France, I learned the value of fresh bread. But fast forward to me moving to Spain, and I didn’t know the words in Spanish to order what I really wanted. And thus… my #spanishfail moment in the bakery!
Read More
Quarantine Workouts
Day 41 of Madrid lockdown - I’m on a streak! I’ve gotten more than 10k steps for THREE DAYS!
How long do you think I can keep this going? This is taking serious concentrated effort to get these steps in quarantine but I’ve got to MOVE! A big part of my health journey a few years ago was learning to use exercise to handle my emotions and well, this quarantine life got me feeling ALL.the.EMOTIONS. So what do I do? Go back to old ways and unhealthy habits? NO WAY. It’s time to learn how to work this body in that lockdown life! I’ve been trying —and I’ve hit 10k a few times over the past few weeks, but it took 41 days to get a streak going! And I’m sharing my secrets with you right here!
Read More
What We Call "Wasted"
Over the last few days of this Semana Santa (Holy Week), I’ve been reading and reflecting on Jesus’ final week before the cross. And I found myself thinking about when Jesus was anointed with burial oils in Bethany. In almost every version of that story, the disciples considered the woman’s actions a WASTE. We’re so quick to call “waste” what God is *still redeeming.* For example, the Bible is very clear about redeeming TIME. I mean, most of us would refer to the past month as wasted time. We’ve been in our homes under quarantine. How is that not a waste? Think about the silent Saturday between the Friday cross and the Sunday resurrection. Was it wasted time? Or did it have a redemptive purpose? Could God have a plan to redeem these weeks of lockdown? This global pandemic?
Read More
Day 25 - My Quarantine isn't YOUR Quarantine
Teddy Roosevelt is credited with this famous quote, ”Comparison is the thief of joy.” Never has it been more obvious than in my current circumstances because MY quarantine isn’t YOUR quarantine. I could sit around focusing on so many comparisons, but every one of them would steal another little piece of my joy. Another slice of my contentment. Another bite of my peace.
Read More
Day 23
Day 23! We’re into our fourth week of the Madrid lockdown during the Coronavirus epidemic. I’ve just finished doing a video update for you all! Why not share it with a friend who needs some encouragement!
Read More
Day 22
Day 22. You’ve probably read a few things about how introverts and extroverts are handling this quarantine. Maybe you’ve even seen some funny videos about your Enneagram type in quarantine. But today I want to talk about a different personality type: the TYPE A people. Because yes, I’m a type A person. I like to feel as though I’ve accomplished several specific, concrete tasks each day, and I really love crossing them off a list. But how can a type A person, who loves to live by a planner, organize days in quarantine where nothing is happening and anything might occur unexpectedly? If you’re like me (or you live with someone who is), here’s what helps!
Read More
Day 17
We are not in easy days here in Madrid. Even while I was recording this video, I got the message that a good friend and coworker went to be with Jesus. But I have faith and hope in God as my ROCK, and that’s the foundation I’m standing on right now. Thank you for your prayers for me and my ministry here.
Read More
Day 13/Psalm 13
Here we are on DAY THIRTEEN of the Madrid lockdown for the Coronavirus. We’ve almost made it through the initial two weeks that they declared for the “State of Alarm” in Spain. But of course, yesterday they announced that Parliament had officially approved the lockdown for TWO MORE WEEKS. I mean, about 90% of this quarantine so far has been fine: my roommate and I, in our yoga pants, having a grand ol’ time while we clean the house, do work via Zoom meetings, and stay active and engaged with everyone via the internet.
But the other 10% of the time….well…the other 10% of the time is being grouchy. It’s lying in bed in the morning, knowing today stretches out ahead of me full of hours to fill with the same things I did yesterday. It’s hiding my tears of frustration or despair, because they don’t help, and I’m ashamed of my own weakness.
But David gives us the secret in Psalm 13. In only six verses, he goes from “How long, O Lord?” to “He has been good to me.”
Read More
Hope in the midst of Coronavirus Lockdown
¡Muy buenas! (as we say in Madrid) I made a little video today - this one isn't an update per se, but it IS a message of encouragement during these troubled times. And bonus! 💥 You can always share it with anyone who might need a word like this one today!
Read More
Immeasurable
Over the last few days, as the Coronavirus explodes here in Madrid, I have seen countless graphics and statistical models of viruses and rates of contagion. I’ve seen predictions with and without “social distancing.” I’ve seen “projected rates” of exponential proportions, and well… basically, it’s all over my head. I feel even more overwhelmed when I read news reports that use words like “immeasurable” and “incalculable.” I mean...who doesn’t feel a little scared with the figures being thrown at us daily?
But as monumental as all these numbers are, from every source possible, you know what is even greater?
The promises of God. The power of God. The grace of God. Words like “immeasurable” and “incalculable” are in the Bible, too. But they’re not used to scare us into hiding, clutching our toilet paper and Lysol wipes.
Read More
He Restores my Soul
Psalm 23 is one of the best loved passages of the entire Bible. I’ve been reading through a study in the past few days, and there is SO MUCH richness to this psalm. But today what struck me most was these four words: He restores my soul. HE restores my soul--not a long, hot bubble bath, not a beach vacation, not a few days off, not “self-care” or any other pop-psychology solution. Don’t get me wrong--those things aren’t bad, and God can use those things to help you rest, but only the Shepherd can restore your soul.
Read More
