Gleaning Along the Way

What If We've Been Wrong About Desire? Christian Motherhood, Cancer & Learning what it Means to Life Fully Alive

For years, I believed the Christian life meant being suspicious of my desires. After all, the Bible is filled with stories of desire gone wrong—Eve in the garden, David on the rooftop, and countless reminders to deny ourselves and follow Christ. But what if we've misunderstood desire? In this episode, I explore a question I've been wrestling with during my cancer journey: Am I allowed to want? From our move from New Jersey to South Carolina to the dreams, longings, and hopes I've often dismissed as selfish, I'm wondering if many of us have confused holiness with disappearing. What if the problem isn't desire itself, but desire disconnected from God? What if some of the things we've spent years trying to silence are actually invitations to come alive? Join me as we talk about faith, motherhood, self-denial, hope, and the possibility that delighting ourselves in the Lord doesn't teach us to desire less—it teaches us how to desire rightly.

The Fear of Hope & Learning to Trust What I Already Know

Have you ever been afraid to hope? Not because you don't believe God can do something good, but because you're afraid of being disappointed if He doesn't? In this deeply personal episode, I share what surfaced during my second PET scan since being diagnosed with Stage 3 melanoma—a fear I didn't realize was still living beneath the surface. A fear that if I hoped too much, trusted too much, or spoke too confidently about healing, God might somehow take it away. Together, we'll explore how old beliefs about God can quietly shape the way we face uncertainty, why learning to trust God's character matters more than controlling outcomes, and how this cancer journey is teaching me to pay attention to the gentle nudges I've spent years ignoring. From waiting on scan results to London Fog tea lattes, green tea experiments, and the surprising lessons hidden in everyday decisions, this conversation is really about one thing: Learning to trust what we already know. If you've ever found yourself waiting for answers, wrestling with fear, or wondering how to hear God's voice in the middle of uncertainty, this episode is for you.

The Whale Came Back

A few months ago, I recorded an episode about Jonah and the whale. At the time, I reflected on how the whale wasn't sent to destroy Jonah, it was sent to save him. It was a season of slowing down, listening, and surrendering to God's invitation. I had no idea what was coming next. Just one week after reopening my business, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 nodular melanoma. In this deeply personal episode, I share the story of discovering a small bump on my scalp, the phone call that changed everything, the terrifying wait for answers, and the surprising lessons God has been teaching me in the middle of uncertainty. This isn't a story about having all the answers. It's a story about finding God in the waiting, learning to care for the body He's given me, and wrestling with a whisper I keep hearing: Use your voice. If you've ever felt stuck in a season you didn't choose, if God seems to be repeating the same invitation in your life, or if you're waiting for certainty before taking your next step of obedience, this conversation is for you. Scripture: Jonah 1–3, Jonah 3:1

One Stone at a Time: How God Led Us from New Jersey to South Carolina

In this episode, I’m sharing the story behind one of the most meaningful practices in our home: our jar of “stones of remembrance.” Inspired by Joshua 3–4, this tradition has become a way for our family to clearly see God’s faithfulness—one stone at a time. Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of our move from New Jersey to South Carolina, the unexpected short sale we walked through back in 2008, and the quiet miracles God stacked along the way to guide our steps. If you’re in a season of transition, waiting, uncertainty, or wondering where God is in the middle of your story, this episode will help you slow down and notice the stones in your own life—the small, ordinary reminders that He is still providing, still leading, and still writing a good story. We’ll talk about: – The biblical story of the Jordan River crossing (Joshua 3–4) – What it means to collect “stones of remembrance” – How our family uses a stone jar to track God’s provision – The miracle inside our 2008 short sale – How we went from New Jersey to South Carolina one quiet step at a time – Gentle prompts to help you recognize God’s faithfulness in your own life If you need encouragement today, this one is for you.

When Hosting Feels Like a Leap of Faith

In this episode, I share what it’s been like preparing to host a Friendsgiving before I even have a dining room table. It’s a story about saying yes before I felt ready, and about how God has been teaching me that hospitality isn’t about perfection—it’s about love, connection, and grace. I talk about my grandmother’s beautiful gift of hosting, how her table shaped my heart, and what it looks like to open our homes and hearts again. If you’ve ever felt “not ready” but sensed God calling you to step out anyway, this episode will speak to you. 🕯️ #ChristianPodcast #FaithForWomen #Hospitality #ChristianMotherhood #BiblicalEncouragement #SpiritualGrowth #FaithInEverydayLife