Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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About

Welcome to my little space on the internet. I am so glad you are here.

I am a wife and a mom of two very energetic boys and one sweet baby girl. Although I am a southern girl by birth, I have become somewhat of a gypsy since marriage, traveling across the country twice and being stretched with each move.

I am also a writer, an avid reader, an amateur photographer, and a drinker of copious amounts of coffee. I love curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee by the wood stove, am a sucker for romantic comedies, and enjoy long hikes on mountain trails. But most of all, I am a child of God. He is my life, my breath, the reason why I get up every morning, and the reason why I write.

Writing has been my passion for as long as I can remember. When I was a little girl, I used the static from the television to hold my freshly written poems against it and distract my Dad from watching the evening news.

For most of my life, I rarely shared my writing with anyone. After college, I abandoned my dream to write for many years, as I didn’t think it was a realistic or practical way to make a living. I pursued a “real job” in the real world, and for long time was completely miserable.

My passion for writing was reborn after the birth of my first child. For over a year, I struggled with postpartum depression, and writing was one of the pursuits that allowed me to see the Light again.

I realized that my identity was not firmly rooted in who I was in Christ, and I was basing my self worth on the opinion of others and my ability to perform as a wife, mother, friend, and worker. Once I stopped working and decided to become a stay-at-home mom, all of the distractions I had used to determine my value as a person disintegrated.

In my search for stability, I found that God alone determines my life has worth. He says I am “fearfully and wonderfully made” and that he “created my inmost being.” (Psalm 139) Before I was even born, he saw who I was and that my life had purpose.

This blog was born because I felt God gently pushing me to share my writing with others who may feel alone in their struggles. I want my readers to know they are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who will relentlessly pursue them, even during the darkest times. That even in the midst of a messy life with an endless pile of laundry and dishes, the hope of Christ can be found.

I want them to know that their identity is firmly rooted in the long, deep, and wide love of Christ, not their performance as a wife, mom, career woman, or friend. Once we fully realize that God sees us and loves us even during the messy times, we can love ourselves and others because we are confident in who we are.

Will you stick around with me? I promise to be authentic, vulnerable and real with you as we explore this life together and find hope in the everyday. Even when it’s messy.

*Photos courtesy of Karen Morgan Photography

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Instagram post 17845136644825993 Found our tree. Mama is happy. 🎄💗
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#christmastree #christmas19 #treefarm #1000gifts #choosejoy #treehunting
Instagram post 18079945318180821 You wouldn’t know it if you didn’t pay attention, but this kid is super hard on himself. He spent twenty minutes trying to find a quiet place to practice his kata last night, but that can be difficult in this house. 😂 He kept at it though. His eight-year-old determination inspires me. It reminds me I can push through those endless distractions too.
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I’m reminded of Nehemiah’s words when he rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem:
“I am doing a great work and cannot come down.” Neh. 6:3
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Keep your focus on the work God called you to, friends. When you do, he will ensure it flourishes in beautiful ways.
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#encouragingword #hopewriters #keepgoing #authorsofinstagram #pushforward #faithwriter #hisgraceissufficient #amwriting #choosejoy
Instagram post 17928538210341735 When we reach that middle ground between the pursuit of a goal or dream and its realization, it’s easy to get discouraged. The newness of beginning is gone, and we may not see the outcome we anticipated. At least, not yet. We may wonder if we’ll ever get there.
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It’s at this point we must make a choice. We must remember the flame God gave us at the start, and trust he’ll bring fire once again. -
The middle ground is not a place where God abandons us or leaves us to trek up the mountain alone. In fact, it’s where he does some of his most beautiful work.
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#hope #hopewriters #encouragingword #authorsofinstagram #amwriting #writersofinstagram #hisgraceissufficient #keepgoing #thestruggle #choosejoy
Instagram post 17850388621734900 I almost had a panic attack over the weekend because our Christmas tree isn’t up yet. I’m not even lying. We started a tradition nine years ago of getting a live tree, and each year my husband and I argue about which weekend we’ll go to the tree farm.
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While I love the warmth of a beautiful, lit tree, I’m also reminding myself: this is not a race. When we hear the constant question, “Are you ready for Christmas” it can feel that way, can’t it? 🎄
If you’re feeling the holiday stress today, let me encourage you with this truth: the most important thing you can ready is your heart. Prepare room. Prepare your soul. He wants to come sit with you.
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While my tree may not be up yet, I’m enjoying this lovely @normanrockwellofficial display this afternoon. And right now, that is enough.
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#christmasgifts #christmas19 #normanrockwell #choosejoy #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram #christmasdecor #hisgraceissufficient
Instagram post 18117628996004602 Has anyone ever seen a dog who liked fire this much? He wags his tail and licks my hubby’s face every time he opens the stove to put wood into it. 😆💗
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#doglover #winteriscoming #fall19 #thanksgiving2019 #thanksgivingbreak #fireplace #woodburning
Instagram post 18093298414105684 Did you preorder a copy of Shift? If so, you can now claim your free gifts! Just head on over to the link below, and enter your order info, and claim the following:
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- Forward-moving faith printable artwork by Lindsey Smith of ConceptSmith.com
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-Shift Your Focus worship playlist
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-5 power prayer cards
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-First 3 chapters of Shift available for immediate download
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If you haven't preordered, you can do that from the website as well! 🎉💗Thank you to @mandyrobersonmedia and her team for designing such a gorgeous site!
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https://shiftbook.org
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#newbooks #bookstagram #authorsofinstagram #freebies #hopewriters #encouragingwords #christianbooks #christianauthors #faithoverfear #faithwriters
Instagram post 17896155886415190 Just as addiction affects the entire family and community, it takes a community for true healing to be found. I’m so thankful to @deborahbeddoe and David Beddoe for sharing their story with authenticity and grace. I’m only one chapter in, and already am finding so much practical help and insight. If you have a loved one who is walking through addiction or recovery, I encourage you to pick up a copy of this book.
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#hopewriters #newbooks #bookreview #addictionrecovery #celebraterecovery #christianauthors #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram
Instagram post 18006170005264975 This girl. What’s she doing? Making sure her crown is straight. 👑😆
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Her personality is exploding in new ways, and I love watching her grow. On Monday, she’ll be 3. And as much as I want to say, “Slow down, baby girl,” I know she won’t listen.
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She’s having too much fun. And she’s showing me new ways to have fun as a three-years-young girl mom too. 💕
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#choosejoy #mothersofdaughters #hopewriters #1000gifts #surprisedbymotherhood #motherhood #momsofinstagram #writersofinstagram
Instagram post 17888243206440500 My husband knows me. 😆 These fun pajamas were a birthday gift and make me smile. My toddler girl loves them too, and counts the donuts whenever I wear them. 🍩

What’s making you smile today? 😊
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#choosejoy #hopewriters #laughter #favoritethings #mothersofdaughters #fungifts
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