Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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If You Think You Didn’t Make a Difference in 2020, You’re Wrong

December 31, 2020 by Abby McDonald

If you’re reading these words, you made it. You may be crawling across the finish line, banged up and battle weary, but you did it. Somehow, we survived one of the craziest years ever, and for that alone I want to give you a high five across the computer screen. Well done, friend.

Whether you feel as though you accomplished anything in 2020 or not, I can promise you did. 

If you’re a mom or parent, you navigated a life and classroom that looked nothing like anything you ever imagined. You made more meals than you ever thought you’d make, cleaned thousands of dishes, clothes and countertops, and tried to make sure your kids stayed healthy. Both physically and mentally, which is no small order. You became a teacher, counselor, and coach. You explained the unexplainable. So if you think you didn’t do much or do it well, take a look back. The evidence of the love only a parent can give is there.

If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, your church expanded beyond the walls of a building. You pointed us toward the hope we all clung to during this time. This time when we often felt isolated and alone, weary and discouraged. You made tough decisions you’d never faced before, and faced criticism no matter what decision you made. Without knowing what the future held, you led us and delivered encouragement when you yourself needed encouragement more than anyone. You are essential. You matter.

If you’re a nurse, doctor healthcare worker, I know you’re bone tired. You pray for an end to this virus whose victims seem to multiply by the second, and you need space to breathe. You stepped into the line of the fire, and you did what needed to be done with or without a thank you. Your work does not go unnoticed. You saved lives, and delivered kindness to those who needed it.

If you’re a teacher, you became a trailblazer this year. You may not feel like one and I am certain there are days you want to yell at the screen, but your heart for your students is evident in your selfless work. You navigated new technology, calmed kids and parents through meltdowns, and imparted the knowledge of a six-hour school day in half the time. You’re amazing, and you don’t get paid enough.

And to anyone who was a needed friend, who sent a note, who delivered a meal, who put one foot in front of the other, you have something to celebrate. This year, we realized how much we need each other. Community is not something we should take for granted. It is vital to our health, our being, and purpose. 

I don’t know what 2021 has in store, and to be honest I’m a little wary as we walk into it. But I don’t want to pin my hopes on a new year. I want to put my hope and trust in the only solid foundation we have in this life, Christ Jesus. He is our constant foundation when the world falls apart. And no matter what the future holds, I know he will point us to our purpose in it.

Keep looking up, friends. Trust me when I say, it’s the one way we will survive a new year.

An Invitation:

If you need further encouragement that God is moving and working, even when we don’t see the answer, I encourage you to pick of a copy of my book, Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. I talk more about those seasons when it doesn’t seem as though God hears us, and how to see that he is working, even when we life doesn’t look the way we anticipated. Many people have sent me messages saying it is a timely book for this season. This encourages my heart so much. I pray that God continues to use it to touch lives.

Here’s what one reader said:

“Abby’s gentle approach to life’s more difficult situations will be a healing balm to the aching reader’s soul. Filled with both prescriptive hope and a realistic understanding of what life is like when all does not fit within tidy, easy answers, Abby writes with an kind voice. Shift provides a respite to the weary traveler and a light with which to dispel the confusion.” – R. Hopkins

You can pick up a copy of Shift by clicking the image below.

*Affiliate disclosure

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  1. Britney says

    December 31, 2020 at 12:21 pm

    I love this!

Hi! I'm Abby and I'm so glad you're here. I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys and one sweet baby girl. When I'm not chasing them around I love to write about my love for a God who relentlessly pursued me, even during my darkest times. READ MORE...

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Several years ago, I heard this word “breakthrou Several years ago, I heard this word “breakthrough” over and over at the start of the new year, and I asked myself why so many of us stay in a state of inertia, even when we attempt to break free from the things holding us back.

After searching the Word, I saw a facet we tend to overlook: Breakthrough starts in the mind. If our thinking is not rooted in truth, we will never gain momentum by changing our physical habits. And while eliminating distractions can serve as a starting point for uncovering the lies we believe, our steps cannot stop there.

So what is one powerful way we can transform our minds? If we dig into Scripture, we see God’s followers turning to one way over and over: praise. 

Sharing more about this over at ibelieve.com today.

#breakthrough #shiftyourmindset #writersofinstagram #praiseandworship #hopewriters
Not all authors read reviews of their book, and I Not all authors read reviews of their book, and I understand that. It can be more than a little discouraging to read a scathing review. I am one of those authors who does read them, because sometimes I need a small glimpse of what God is doing. A little push to keep going. This review on Amazon made me tear up when I read it, because this is why I write. If it weren’t for things like this, I would’ve quit a long time ago.

If you’ve read Shift, please consider leaving an honest review. Why? Well, for one thing, I’m nearing one of those magic numbers on Amazon: 100. I don’t think fireworks will go off or anything when I reach it, but it does help with Amazon’s algorithms. This means more people will see the book when they’re shopping in the “you may also like” section, etc. And another person may be reached by God in ways only he can reach them, like he did here.

Thank you so much. 💗

P.S. You do not have to have purchased from Amazon to leave an Amazon review.

#authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #bookstagram #booksof2020 #shiftbook
This is me. An unremarkable photo after something This is me. An unremarkable photo after something I had to psyche myself up for an hour to do: thirty minutes of intense cardio. Back in January, I said yes to a life change I haven’t done, well, ever. I started working out five days a week, I eliminated processed foods, and replaced my love for potato chips with fruit and veggies. 

(Well, actually that’s not true, but I tell myself it is as I’m eating the healthy stuff. 😉)

My point of all this is not to tell you I lost twenty pounds or even ten, because I haven’t. It’s not to sell you anything either, because I’m not. My point is to tell you this: Keep going, even when you don’t think it’s making a difference.

When I didn’t see immediate results, I was tempted to give up. But with each choice to show up, I see progress. More energy. Less recovery time and breathlessness. Even after three weeks, I feel different, because my body and mind are changing.

Whenever we start something new, there’s usually a dip. That period where we don’t see the change we want, so we throw in the towel. But nothing in life worth having comes easy. So keep pressing play. Keep making the choice to move awkwardly through the discomfort.

Because one day you’ll wake up and realize you’re not the same.

#keepgoing #lifegoals #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset
#ValentinesDayChallenge •How did you two meet #ValentinesDayChallenge
•How did you two meet? We lived in the same apartment complex and would always see each other while walking our dogs. Our dogs wanted to play together. 🐶💖

•How long have you been together? About 18 years since our first date.

•Who asked who out? Chris asked me.
 
•Who said I love you first? Chris 

•Who is the most sensitive? Me

•Where do you eat out most as a couple? Ottaviani’s 

•Who’s older? Me
 
•Who has the worst temper? Chris

•Who is more social? We’re about the same but Chris is friendlier to people we don’t know.

•Who is the neat freak? Me

•Who is the most stubborn? It’s a toss up.

•Who gives in first? Me

•Who's the funnier one? He is. 

•What was your first date? Cafe Strudel in Columbia, SC

•Where was your first kiss? My apartment 

•Plans date night? I find the sitter, he books the restaurant.

•Who was interested first? Him

•Who is the first one to admit when they’re in the wrong? It’s about 50/50.

•Who wears the pants in the relationship? Depends on the subject.

•Who cries more? Me

•Married? Yes- 14.5 years 

•Who makes the most messes? Chris 

•Who sings better? Me 

•Hogs the remote? Me

•Better driver? Chris gets in an accident every time I’m pregnant. When I’m not, we’re both pretty safe but I have a lead foot.

•Spends the most? Me

•Did you go to the same school? No- rival universities, actually 
 
•Where is the furthest you two have traveled? Hawaii

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love! There’s no one I’d rather do this crazy life with. 

#valentinesday2021 #myvalentine
Those people in our lives who don’t think the wa Those people in our lives who don’t think the way we do? They’re the exact ones God called us to love. I know I can do better in this area, and I’m asking him to help me embrace the differences that challenge me.

When he gave the greatest commandment, he didn’t use qualifiers. I’m so glad he created a world that is diverse and not monotone. It’s so much more beautiful and interesting than a one note, one tone creation.

#hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #cultivatekindness #hisgrace #cultivatewhatmatters
Seven years ago, I purchased this guide at a write Seven years ago, I purchased this guide at a writer’s conference. It was part of my commitment to write regularly, and after hearing Jerry Jenkins speak, I knew I wanted him to sign it.

He didn’t know me from Adam’s cat, so he couldn’t have known how much I would need the truth woven into the penned scripture reference:

“Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!"

But God knew. 

More times than I can count, God has spoken to me through the right word at the right time or a simple gesture. The beauty of it is that he uses ordinary people like you and me to do it. All it requires is for us to follow a little nudge, and we can change the trajectory of someone’s life.

Who is God calling you to encourage today?

shiftbook.org

#shiftbook #wordsofencouragement #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset
Sometimes by saying no, God is giving us something Sometimes by saying no, God is giving us something better than we could imagine. He’s opening his hands and allowing us access to a gift we never thought to hope for. Not seeing him work the way we want allows us to see him in a whole new way. 

➡️ Excerpted from Shift

shiftbook.org

#shiftbook #shiftyourmindset #authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #hisgrace #faithquotes
ONE YEAR BOOK BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS More often tha ONE YEAR BOOK BIRTHDAY REFLECTIONS

More often than I can count, it’s my kids who remind me how an intentional perspective shift can change the way I live. It can alter the way I approach circumstances that make me want to groan and throw up my hands (insert the entire year of 2020). They are God’s little messengers in the middle of my stubbornness, and remind me of his promises. It will be okay, even if tomorrow doesn’t look the way I want.

It turns out, I wrote an entire book about shifting and I didn’t even realize how much I would need it. Today is its one year birthday. 

Months before its release, 2020 approached and I had a grand vision for how the year would go. In my mind, I saw in-person conferences and events, hugs with those who supported the journey, and some travel here and there. Of course, March rolled around and the year took a complete 180 from what I saw in my head.

God called me to shift my perspective in a way I never foresaw, and in a way I quite frankly didn’t want to.

But doing so changed me.

➡️ New post- link in bio

#authorsofinstagram #shiftyourmindset #shiftbook #bookstagram #bookbirthday #hopewriters
Winter skies are some of my favorites. The colors Winter skies are some of my favorites. The colors are so crisp and vivid, and when there’s a fresh blanket of snow they come alive in a new way.

This was my view on the way to karate. I had to stop for a second, after watching for cars of course, to capture it. It’s one intentional way I am remembering the beauty of this season. A pause, a snap, a moment of thanks.

#searchingforbeauty #1000gifts #winterwonderland #winterbeauty #appalachianmountains
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