Abby McDonald

Finding the Hope of Christ in a Messy Life

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Winter Depression, I’m Not Letting You Win

November 29, 2018 by Abby McDonald

There’s something about dreary winter weather that makes me want to curl up and hibernate until spring. The grey skies. The frigid air. Before I know it, full on winter depression has set in, and according to the calendar it’s still fall. Winter decided to make its appearance in November this year, at least in my neck of the woods. And as much as I would like to tell you I welcomed it with welcome arms, I didn’t. Our pre-Thanksgiving snowstorm actually made me a little resentful. What Continue Reading

How God Responds When His Own Want to Die

July 5, 2018 by Abby McDonald

Sometimes it’s easier to be a spectator. When someone dies or there’s a tragedy making headlines in the media, that’s often what I am. I sit back and read other writers’ words. I nod and silently say, “Amen.” But over the last weeks following the suicide of two well-known celebrities, I knew I needed to contribute more than hushed acknowledgement. I watched others speak up about their own experiences with depression and bravely tell their stories, and God stirred my soul. I know what it’s like Continue Reading

The Problem With Hiding Our Struggles

September 7, 2017 by Abby McDonald

“Mama, the monsters are coming out at me,” my son said. He stood by the bed with his face inches from mine, hands animated. My mid-REM cycle brain lingered between sleep and reality. “What?” I asked. I could see my son was disturbed by something. After realizing I was going to have to get out of bed, I stumbled to his room. I gave the bunk a full examination before telling him to get back in. Five minutes later, he reappeared. The monsters were still there. For some reason, the miracle Continue Reading

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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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Sometimes I read a passage in scripture and the wo Sometimes I read a passage in scripture and the words sound beautiful in my mind, but I have no idea how to apply it them real life. Ever been there? This was the case for many years whenever I heard the verse, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear..." (1 John 4:18). I was living with a constant low grade anxiety, and the promise here seemed to allude me.

Then, following an emergency c-section with my first child, this anxiety turned to chest pains and difficulty breathing. After a few days with no relief, I called the doctor's office and the nurse's words made my heart sink.

➡️ New post- link in bio

#amwriting #hisgrace #faithwords #hopewriters #authorsofinstagram
“Mama, will you play with me?” These words com “Mama, will you play with me?” These words come from this girl often these days. The past ten months have felt like a strange mixture of extreme solitude and overwhelming lack of space and quiet. I long for connection with others, while at the same time longing for silence.

But at the same time, I know the days when my girl wants me to color and play dolls with her are fleeting. Her sweet, bossy spirit reminds me what matters more than a friend’s latest political post. So we pull out the crayons. We make imaginary tea. And for a moment, the world is just as it needs to be.

#surpisedbymotherhood #mothersofgirls #hisgrace #hopewriters
GIVEAWAY! Do you feel like you need a faith reset GIVEAWAY!

Do you feel like you need a faith reset? Many of us are walking into 2021 with weary hearts, and need a boost of fresh courage and hope. If this is you, I hope to see your beautiful self at the Breakthrough LIVE event happening on January 23rd, where women from all over the world will gather together online to be equipped and encouraged to thrive in the new year. (find more details via link in bio)

Fun news- We are giving away a free ticket to this event! To enter, do the following:

1)	Comment on this post with why you’d like to attend.

2)	Tag 5 friends.

That's it! We will announce the winner on Friday, January 15th. This giveaway is not affiliated with Instagram. Winner will be contacted via private message.

*Attendees will also receive recordings of all 5 inspirational messages.

#breakthroughlive2021 #liveevents #onlineretreat #hopewriters #christianwomen
Will we praise God for the things we’re still ho Will we praise God for the things we’re still hoping will happen? For the answers we haven’t seen yet? When we do, I believe we will experience his presence like never before.

In my Bible study today, I learned that David wrote psalm 30 as a song to be sung at the temple dedication. But the temple wasn’t completed until after David died. He wrote the song as an act of faith that his son, Solomon, would complete it. And he did.

I don’t want to stop singing because my heart is weary. Because no matter what the atmosphere looks like right now, I know what God is preparing for his children is good. That much is certain. And on this truth I will keep lifting my voice.

#truthtellers #writersofinstagram #hopewriters #encouragingquotes #hisgrace
I stepped into 2021 with plenty of trepidation. To I stepped into 2021 with plenty of trepidation. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to even begin to respond to the events of the past few days. I had plenty of thoughts, but sorting through them was difficult, and I still am.

Then I organized some old photos, and I was stuck by the words of a fellow sojourner. The picture above is of a church in Harpers Ferry, and above the entryway is a sign that says this:

“Come let us adore and fall down and weep before the Lord that made us. For he is the Lord our God who made us and we are the people of his pasture, the sheep of his hand.”

This is how I’ve felt during this first week of a new year. Like I want to weep and bow before the Lord. And of all the things I saw over the past few days, what disturbed me most was seeing Jesus’ name plastered on a sign like he was a slogan to be used to serve our agenda.
Like his name wasn’t the holy, beautiful thing that it is. The name of the Lord is to be revered and honored, not tossed around.

I don’t know what the rest of 2021 has in store, but I do know this: the best posture I can take is one of prayer. Because prayer changes things. And if I don’t do anything else for the next month, it will be time well spent.

#letusworship #prayerchangesthings #2021thoughts #hopewriters #prayerworks #shiftyourmindset
So many people I’ve heard from over the past wee So many people I’ve heard from over the past week are entering 2021 at slow pace. They’re still buried under the weight of 2020 and aren’t quite ready to create vision boards or goal calendars. And I get it. I feel as though I barely crossed the finish line into 2021.

What if we all need a reset? A gathering of other Jesus loving women who can encourage us , realign our focus, and help us find the courage we need to thrive in a new year? 

Friends, this group of women pictured here is doing just that. And we’ve been praying for YOU. On January 23rd, we are hosting a live online retreat that is designed to help give you the fresh start you need after a brutal, draining year.

It’s called Breakthrough Live, and we want to see you there. 

➡️To sign up and find more details, visit #linkinbio 

#breakthroughlive2021 #hopewriters #2021reset #virtualretreat #authorsofinstagram
If there’s anything 2020 taught me, it’s how m If there’s anything 2020 taught me, it’s how much we need community. Friendships can be hard and messy, but they are vital to our emotional health and for us to thrive as followers of Christ. 

Break Bread Together from @jessherberger is one of my first reads of 2020, and I love how she addresses this need for friendship from a unique perspective. 

What are you reading right now?

#authorsofinstagram #hopewriters #breakbreadtogether #authorssupportingauthors #booksofinstagram
I don’t know what 2021 has in store, and to be h 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 do know this:  Christ 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 and only way we will thrive this year.
 
#newyear #authorsofinstagram #2021goals #hopewriters #shiftyourmindset #shiftbook
My top nine posts of 2020. Oh yeah, I released a b My top nine posts of 2020. Oh yeah, I released a book during that crazy year, didn’t I? 😆 As a friend reminded me earlier this week, I should forever be proud of that. Lord knows, the months following didn’t go the way I wanted, but God pointed me back to the message I wrote and caused me to LIVE it.

Our shifts in focus are often caused by interruptions. We can either look at them as roadblocks or invitations. Through his grace, I am slowly learning to choose the latter.

#shiftbook #shiftyourmindset #booksof2020 #mytop9 #hopewriters #writersofinstagram
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