Beautiful Family

Relationships are a large part of our world - whether you’re a mother, sister, wife or friend, we hope these blogs inspire you.

 

THE MIRACLE BABY

“God is never delayed, God is never far. He’s always very close, closer than anything. The way the miracle happened wasn’t how I thought it would be but I loved how it happened! Because now whenever we talk about Ariella, we get to bring God in it, because God was there, every step of the way. I had to share this story because it truly is only by the grace of God that she is healthy and strong as she is today!” - Joy Stevens

By Joy Stevens

 

Graced For Motherhood

“Personally, I think as mothers we can sometimes struggle to carry the juggle of motherhood and all it entails. But we are called, we are set a part and graced for motherhood. I guess my heart with this is that sometimes we don’t see motherhood as a call, it’s just something we do, but it’s so much more than that.” - Amy Brown

By Amy Brown

 

FROM LONELY TO LOVED

God doesn’t need us to be perfect, all He is looking for is our obedience and our vulnerability to come before Him as we are. No matter how many times we have failed, His grace and His love are unfailing. In tough times, His faithful promises are our armour and protection.

By Di Wern Phoon

 
beautifuljournal.co_120157816202319924622787735465601870816252n.jpg

becoming the one

As I prepared to leave for college in Indiana, mom’s advice on dating was this; “Discover what you love doing and pursue that. As you run towards the things that God has put in your heart, you’ll suddenly find someone else running alongside you who is passionate about the same things.”

By Daenielle Isaacs

 

5 prayers to pray for others

There are so many things happening in the world today. Sometimes these things can get a bit overwhelming and more often than not, can make us shrink back to try and protect ourselves from the effects of what’s happening around us, but God has not given us a spirit of fear! He has empowered us to stand strong in Him, not only for ourselves, but for the others around us as well.

By Lisa Fielder

 

FAIRYTALES MADE RIGHT

This is the first time I forced myself to look in the mirror and realise that I didn’t think I was worth much; I became the girl that the bullies were talking about in high-school and I retreated to my fantasies because it was safe. I don’t think fairy tales are a bad thing at all, but it became a problem when I checked out of reality to live in a world that didn’t exist waiting to be saved by a man.

By Mosa Mphusu

 

building a strong family

Being a healthy family is more than being without problems. They too have problems like everyone else and is not without challenges. It is the presence of guidelines for living, and the ability to surmount life’s obstacles when they arise. 

By Margaret Varughese

 

Community over competition

I couldn’t do life without the people around me. I lean on them; I learn from them and I enjoy life with them. They are all made up of different personalities, have different ways of seeing things, doing things and saying things! Some outspoken, some more quiet and reserved. But all unique and all play a special part in making the community I am in so beautiful. The beauty and splendour of community is that we are different. Actively embrace it, don’t avoid it.

By Kady Adair

 

honouring God by honouring others

Throughout this season God has been talking to me about honour and giving me many opportunities to practice it. Unfortunately, some of these opportunities were missed because I didn’t see it as an opportunity, but more as an interference, an intrusion.

By Kim Lunn

 

HOW TO PROACTIVELY LOVE YOUR FRIENDS DURING DIFFICULT SEASONS

Jesus mentioned that as long as we are breathing and living on this earth, we will face challenges and these difficult seasons do not stop until our time on earth is up. But we are called to be the light and salt of the earth, to be the Lord’s hands extended and mouth piece, channels of His love to our family and friends during difficult times.  

By Elaine Gan

 

around my table

Around my table are the people I love most in this world. The people that I would do anything for, that I do everything with and the centre of my life. My husband of 13 years who I love dearly, can be very cheeky and funny and who I have experienced the highs and lows of life with, sits around my table with our amazing son who is 10 and two gorgeous daughters, 8 & 5. Around the table we eat together, we talk and we thank God for what He has provided us. It’s nearly like our sacred place where we tune out the world and the world becomes us.

By Kady Adair

 

FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Inside all of us is a fairytale story waiting to come out, whether you’re an adventurer at heart, a dreamer, a warrior, or a poet, there’s a beautiful daughter with an incredible story of heroism, victory, and valiant effort ready in your heart to unfold! As my daughters create these stories of their own, I am using these years to instill the moral character traits we need as human beings to sustain us on the journey!

So here is how to do simple and fun facials with your kids!

By Lizzie Young

 

HOW THE HOLY SPIRIT SAVED MY MARRIAGE

We have no kids and we work together which means we are basically in each other's face 24/7. The last few weeks have tested my patience, my self control but it has mostly tested my relationship with God. I have found myself becoming easily irritated by the littlest of things and that very quickly turning into anger.

By Gabby Anderson

 

GAMES NIGHT, THE NEW VERSION

To all my competitive sisters out there or those who really need a night of fun during this season, here’s how to host a game night with your friends or connect group over a group video call (Zoom preferably!) So let’s turn up the fun!

By Nerissa Chia

 

FOR BETTER… AND FOR WORSE

Oh, Father, I argued back, “surely you don’t want me to tell that story publicly, possibly ruining my husband’s career and reputation?” I know better than to argue with God but there are moments that I like to wrestle with Him. I find that I gain a deeper intimacy with the loving Father when I do.
As per usual, God took care of the details. When I approached my husband about sharing this story, our story, God had already prepared him and his heart.
So here it goes.

By Jo Foo

 

THE REALITY OF MARRIAGE

My husband and I have been married for over two years now, in this short period of marriage we’ve had our ups and downs and learned valuable lessons. Here are some of the realities that I have learned.

By Jiska Motswiri

 

KEEPER OF MY HOME

Intentionally recognising the distinct seasons in our life is important for our growth and maturity. New seasons present new opportunities and new ways to grow, and one season always prepares us for the next.

By Eliza Gan

 

BECOMING A WIFE

To every woman out there who is already a wife, thinking of becoming a wife one day, or even if you have no plans of ever becoming one, I pray that as you read this, you will hear God say to you that you are more than you know, graced for the journey you are on, and victorious every step of the way.

By Radiance Yew

 

THIS GIRL IS SUPER FOCUSED

A few days into the year I found myself thinking about my list, you know ‘the list’. The list about the husband I’d like God to give me. I was watching a cooking show on TV and had an “aha” moment thinking to myself “I did not tell God that I would LOVE a husband that cooks”. Immediately I jotted it down in my journal. 

By Nako Lebodi

 

RAISING WORLD CHANGERS

I very rarely speak publicly or write about how to raise children. I figure I’m still a rookie in this area, considering my kids are only six and ten, and I only have two of them, and they are both boys! So, to think I am an expert (or have any authority) in this area would be lying. I’ve finally decided to share a few personal revelations and biblical wisdom that I have learned in my short 10 years of being a mother.

By Jemima Varughese

 

THE SECRET TO HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Our lives are all about relationships. At the very core of our life is our relationship with God, and as our community circle widens, so do our relationships with the people around us – family, friends, and anyone we come into contact with, regularly. Maintaining healthy connections, however, takes work, and is what transforms a casual relationship to a meaningful one.

By Elaine Gan

 

DON'TS OF CHRISTIAN DATING

Relationships can be messy, and love can be complicated. Here are "10  Don'ts of Christian Dating". They are raw and honest, compiled by the  many failings of my own life and the wisdom of a collective group of  voices. Remember, relationships are Gods idea! Marriage, love, family  (sex) are all really good things and God wants you (and I) to experience  them in all their fullness, but sometimes that means avoiding certain  pitfalls and dangers. So here goes.  

By Sabrina Peters

 

THE PHONE CALL THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

Many miracles followed subsequently throughout our journey towards  marriage and we tied the knot in that same year. I am still in awe of  how God moved so suddenly after waiting and praying for years for a life  partner. I remember asking God countless of times, “When will I meet my  man?”   

By Melissa Ong

 

THRIVING THROUGH SINGLEHOOD

I encourage you as a single woman to not get stuck in disappointment, or  stuck in the thought that your purpose has not begun until you are  married, because that is not true. You were born with purpose, and that does not change depending on your marital status.   

By Amy Clark

 

ROSE COLOURED GLASSES

My marriage did not need fixing, my perception needed shifting. During my prayer time I had a revelation…

By Amy Lee

 

7 SIGNS HE IS THE ONE

I often get asked in young adult settings the question: “How do you know if a guy you are interested in is the one?”. My reply is always the same: there is no ‘One’, however I believe there is ‘The Best”. So how do you know if the one you like or the one you are dating is the best for you? Here is my seven point checklist that I implemented in my own life.   

By Jemima Varughese  

 

7 PRAYERS FOR THE MAN YOU MARRIED

Did you know that a wife’s prayers for her husband are so powerful that through her world changing lips, a mighty man of god can rise? You may not think that right now depending on where your husband is at, but over the years I have taught wives this simple prayer that has had amazing results... and if God can do it for them He can certainly do it for you! Try this simple prayer for a few weeks and let me know if you see a change…

By Jemima Varughese

 

THE BUFFET

My now husband and I liked each other for so many years before we got married, and keeping safe boundaries for that length of time was a daily challenge. One that we conquered at times and not so much on other days. It is so natural for our bodies to get caught up in ‘the moment’ and as soon as you start kissing, it easily progresses. 

By Chantelle Ham

 

CHECKPOINTS IN CONFLICT

Having checkpoints in place will, absolutely, help you to have healthier relationships as you navigate conflict, confidently. The Bible has so many tips on how to do this – why not take a look, yourself?

By Elaine Gan

 

10 THINGS I'VE LEARNT IN 10 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

This year I celebrated my 10-year wedding anniversary. It’s been a wild ride of tears and laughter, meltdowns and make-ups, arguments and adventures. We are blessed to be great friends, raising two gorgeous kids together and fulfilling our purpose and passion (serving Jesus) day by day, side by side. So, from one very imperfect and constantly learning wife, here are 10 little lessons I’ve picked up along the way. Hopefully my failures can teach you a thing, or two.

By Sabrina Peters

 

DEAR THIRTY YEAR OLD ME

This will all happen so quickly - believe me - that you won’t have much time to think it all through. So my dear self of 30, don’t waste your early 30’s wishing you had something so mediocre because little do you know, God has gold for you.  God’s timing is always right and His plan is perfect. Thank God life didn’t go your way…

By Jemima Varughese

 

SINGLE & SATISFIED

Amidst all the daydreaming and Facebook stalking (don’t deny it), is that finding a man will not complete, fulfil, or satisfy you. Being “single” is not a label of shame that we wear until we can upgrade to “taken” and finally, step in to all that God has for us. It’s not the missing piece in your life or a problem to be embarrassed about. Let’s get something straight – your single years are in fact, a GIFT!

By Sally Gibbs

 

Follow Beautiful Journal