Fun + Formative Finds from May

There's been a lot going on in my life between some personal health struggles, the death of a loved one, a friend's wedding and my husband's and my five year anniversary. It has been a lot at times, and so I haven't had as much time to be present in this space. However, I wanted to share a few finds from May. 

There You'll Find Me

I've been getting back into reading fiction and this is the first fiction book that I've read in a few months. I really enjoyed it. They actually made it into a film, which is how I heard about it and what enticed me to read it. It's focused on a teenage girl named Finley and her journey of processing through grief over the loss of her brother and how that has affected her relationship with God. 

Chatbooks

I recently discovered Chatbooks, which is an app/website, that allows you to easily and quickly create photo books for printing. I've creating three family yearbooks through the app just on my phone, and it saved me the hours it would have taken to create them on a different website. If you would like to try it, here's a code for a free photo book or a $10 credit for a book. 

Favorable Conditions Never Come

I appreciated this article from Cal Newport. The essence of the article explains the title - favorable conditions never come when it comes to building new habits or making changes in your life. This applies to these areas, but even to spiritual matters. We need the Lord the most in unfavorable conditions and so it makes sense to work at building habits that help us to draw near to him and to grow spiritually even when the conditions are not favorable. I really appreciated this article in the midst of mothering a toddler. Favorable conditions from time with Jesus are difficult when you have a toddler desiring time with you all day, but I'm working at guarding and carving out that time when my current condition is not favorable to studying the Bible and time in prayer. 

I'm Not Languishing, I'm Dormant

Another helpful article in this month's round up. I thought it was particularly helpful in thinking through the tug and pull of a pandemic forcing people to slow down, but then our culture's proclivity to productivity. It's okay if this season is one in which you've been dormant. 

Self-Denial Leads to Happiness

A timely reminder of a truth that Jesus made clear - if you want to gain your life, you need to lose it. 

These are a few of my favorite finds from May. Let me know if you've found any formative finds as well!

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