Rejoicing in The Resurrection, Grieving for The Church

April 9, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

Today is Good Friday. Resurrection Sunday’s comin’. Though mandatory social distancing prevents outward celebrations this year, on the inside, I should be celebratory. Truthfully, if I can look beyond the childhood abuse and trauma my brothers and I experienced as teenagers one Easter Eve, and instead look at the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I will indeed experience joy. Peace. Hope. All the things Christ offers in and of Himself. But here’s the thing. I’m tired of there being a thing.... Read more

The Benefits of A Pandemic

April 1, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

Other than medical treatment that requires me to be at a doctor’s office in person, I’ve been at my place of residence since March 11th. I am naturally an introvert and a homebody, so COVID-19 hasn’t been a catastrophic event in my life. Nevertheless, I’ve been challenged to live a deeper, better life. After three straight weeks of isolation, judging by social media only, I’m noticing I’m not the only one. For some people, the pandemic we find ourselves fighting... Read more

Loving And Living Humbly Through COVID-19

March 25, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

One of the hardest things about being quarantined, and the Coronavirus in general, is that it’s hard to know how to help. I’m reminded of the Civil War, when the situation became so dire that women of all walks of life stepped out onto the battlefield, carrying their household rags-turned-bandages to bind up the wounds of soldiers. Injuries were not the only thing they had to contend with. Illnesses ran amok. Contagious illnesses. Masks and gloves and protective eyewear were... Read more

My Hope for America Amidst COVID-19

March 18, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

My husband and I are both quarantined, because we traveled over a part of the country last week that has been hit hard by the Coronavirus. We did come home ill, though I highly doubt it’s the much talked about COVID-19, as the symptoms didn’t match. But for the next nine days or so, it’s just the two of us. Weird. Very weird. The reason we were traveling was to get my Mom, who has lived with us for nearly... Read more

What Putting Together A Thousand-Piece Puzzle Taught Me About Life

February 13, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

For five out of seven days last week, I spent several hours a day putting together a thousand-piece puzzle of the world. The bottom portion of the puzzle said “THE WORLD”, while the top portion was an actual map of the entire world. Seas and oceans, continents and countries, the equator, and even animals native to certain parts of the world were included. Putting it together tried my patience, hurt my neck and back, and I admittedly cursed whoever... Read more

When Trump Was A Democrat

February 6, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

Donald Trump was once a Democrat. He was also an Independent. In chronological order, since 1987, he has been registered Republican, Independent, then Democrat, back to Republican, back to Independent, and then back to Republican. Whatever sparked the change in registrations, we may never know. But one thing is clear: he hasn’t always been a Republican – and he may, to this day, not be a Republican. Yes, he won the 2016 election as a Republican. But though his... Read more

When God Won’t Move Your Mountain

January 30, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

When You don’t move the mountains, I’m needing You to move When You don’t part the waters I wish I could walk through When You don’t give the answers as I cry out to You I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You! Those lyrics by Lauren Daigle became quite important to me about two years ago. I had a mountain in my life. A mountain that made me feel as though I might die. A... Read more

Should We Be Referring To People As Toxic?

January 23, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

Disclaimer: I am not a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or a therapist of any kind. I don’t have a degree in human behavior. In essence, this post is me talking a subject out that has long since had me concerned. That is, the idea that people are toxic, and how quickly we refer to them as such. What may have started out as a helpful, albeit harsh analogy that a human can be “toxic” has perhaps turned into an excuse to... Read more

Planning My Ways, But Allowing The Lord to Direct My Steps

January 14, 2020 By Brenda Renee Coats

While it feels good to be sitting at the computer again, it also feels strange. I think it’s been nearly a month since I’ve written anything, and that was on purpose. Between the Holidays, Mom’s three brain surgeries, a broken septic system, an infection I’ve apparently had for quite some time (unbeknownst to me), and company, I didn’t even try to plop my bottom in a computer chair. As always, I’ve missed it. A life void of writing always amounts... Read more

When Love Came Down At Christmas

December 12, 2019 By Brenda Renee Coats

For Advent this year, I’ve read through a book by Sinclair Ferguson entitled Love Came Down At Christmas. It’s a daily reading program – a devotional of sorts – but I don’t have much self-control when it comes to words, so I’ve already finished it. Despite my rule-breaking, the book has blessed me immensely. With a title like Love Came Down At Christmas, one anticipates some gushy stories and thoughts on Christ’s birth. The book is that. There’s plenty of... Read more