Kristine Brown's Blog

Cancer treatment. It’s more than a series of events that wreak havoc on the body. It’s a season that also affects the mind, spirit, and emotions. Whether chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, immunotherapy, or a host of other things—finding an activity to calm the heart during treatments is vital to a survivor’s wellbeing.

I’ve been through two battles with cancer, and with my recent diagnosis, reading became the hobby I needed. It helped fill the hours I spent in bed, gave me focus for my wandering ...

“… call me Mara …” (‭‭Ruth‬ ‭1‬:‭20‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

3 words summed up the cry of one woman’s broken heart.

A woman who’d experienced indescribable loss and unfathomable difficulty. She gave her friends a command to call her by a new name, marking her existence in a cruel and unforgiving world.

She no longer felt like the person she once was.

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With each new season of life comes new emotions, dreams, needs, and more. Whether I’m coasting through a lighthearted season or trudging through a dark valley, my reading preferences directly reflect what I’m going through. You only need to check the titles in the stack on my nightstand to get a glimpse of my life at any given time.

I can look back just a few short weeks ago and see a shift. Blindsided with the news that a second cancer battle loomed, I began seeking out books I knew my heart and mind would need in the days ahead.

My usual beginning-of-the-year books on time management and goal setting would have to wait. Instead, I chose books to calm my soul and keep me encouraged.

Here are the books I’m reading in this season:

The Hem of His Garment by Dr. Michelle Bengston
Overcomer by James Collin’s
One Minute Prayers for Women with Cancer by Nikki Hardy (a gift from a dear friend)
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton Smith

Reading has always brought me joy, but now, in the midst of a deeply hard season, it is a lifeline.

I’m also going to add an audiobook or two to the list, for those long hospital stays. Audiobooks will be a new practice for me, so we will see how it goes!

What books are you reading right now? Have you found that your reading reflects the season you’re in?

Have you ever noticed how many people express frustration and discomfort with waiting? We assume so many others are better at waiting, and we are somehow defective because we weren’t born with the patience gene.

When the truth is, no one is inherently good at waiting.

“I’m great at waiting,” said NO ONE EVER.

I believe that’s why God prompted Paul to include patience as an integral part of the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, ki...

Have you ever noticed how many people express frustration and discomfort with waiting? We assume so many others are better at waiting, and we are somehow defective because we weren’t born with the patience gene.

When the truth is, no one is inherently good at waiting.

“I’m great at waiting,” said NO ONE EVER.

I believe that’s why God prompted Paul to include patience as an integral part of the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, ki...

Last week, I shared with our community of subscribers my personal struggle with learning to abide in Jesus.

I began this year with a clear feeling that ABIDE was my word for the year, and I started in January spending quiet time with Jesus and seeing how it changed me.

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“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3 NIV

I’ve walked the same path a hundred times before, but this time, the rustle in the bushes stopped me cold. The stillness of the street at that hour of the morning magnified the sound, sending signals of fear from my mind to my heart.

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Each morning I try to take a brisk walk down our street. There’s a lovely walking trail next to the lake in my neighborhood, but instead of venturing down the trail, I always turn back and stay on the main road instead.

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·         Do you ever make a decision, then second-guess yourself?

·         Do you waver back and forth about a decision – stressing out, losing sleep, or worrying?

·   ...

I sat on the top row of metal bleachers, squinting to see  my right fielder. I’d officially joined the ranks of little league parents, and let me tell you— this was definitely the place to be.

Everyone from town was there, and I mean everyone. There I was among them, an official baseball mom, but it felt like something was missing.

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