Lauren Dunn

Goals are meant to challenge us, and sometimes the progress we make — even if it feels like we’ve fallen short — is more than enough.

Change doesn’t happen overnight. When we expect to be different after simply declaring our resolutions, our expectations are quickly introduced to reality.

“‘Fear not…For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior…’” (Luke 2:10-11). Fear can be powerful, but God is all-powerful.

Disappointments. Uncertainty. Annoyances. These are real frustrations and real hurts, and they are not what I would choose.

Sometimes childhood friendships don’t survive the move into adulthood. After my friend got married, I almost lost my friendship with her.

I have at least three Bibles on my bookshelf, not to mention the Bible app. I can read the Bible anytime, anywhere. But 501 years ago, this wasn’t the case.

“What has God been teaching you?” the leader asked. My heart beat a little faster. I barely knew these people, and this was a personal question!

There’s something about these stories. It’s like we want to be part of something bigger than us, like we were created to be in stories like these.