Blog — Shawna Sullivan

Shawna Sullivan

Posts in Faith

Hope After Catastrophe: Regaining Perspective From Higher Ground

Hope After Catastrophe: Regaining Perspective From Higher Ground

Perched upon breathtaking cliffs, my eyes searched the surroundings in disbelief. Pure waves of blue rolled below, occasionally showing off a white cap from time to time as if to remind the spectators it is, in fact, real. Our 20th anniversary trip to Santorini, Greece was more than we could have imagined we needed. The entire week I couldn’t stop thinking about this one fact, and I wonder if we might gain some perspective from it as we pray and seek to help those walking through incomprehensible pain these days.

Faith, Parenting, TravelShawna SullivanOctober 11, 2023faith, Travel, marriage, pain, hope Comments

Three Prayers to Pray at the Start of Something New

Three Prayers to Pray at the Start of Something New

Whether a new month, a new school year, or a new opportunity—there are always “what if’s” circling through my mind.

Here are three prayers ushering my heart into the unknown, as new opportunities present themselves this coming month. Perhaps they are helpful to settle your anxious thoughts as well and draw your eyes upward toward your loving Father.

Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanAugust 29, 2023Faith, Prayer, Encouragement Comments

Stewarding Our Gifts of Service With Endurance

Stewarding Our Gifts of Service With Endurance

My husband and daughter recently returned from a trip to Guatemala with our church for a week long mission trip. To hear them recount stories, full of inspiring God-glorifying conversations and scenery alike, produced in me a longing to serve on mission as well. At times, in fact, it most assuredly sounds better to visit another continent altogether to serve short-term, rather than continue in daily acts of service. Doesn’t it?

Yet God continually calls us to steward our service first within the walls of our homes. So, how can we press on with confidence and endurance? Read here.

Faith, Education, Parenting, Stewardship, SummerShawna SullivanAugust 2, 2023Stewardship, Service, Mercy, Faith, Education, Mission Trip, EnduranceComment

Finding Rest Where You Least Expect It

Finding Rest Where You Least Expect It

It never ceases to surprise me that after our annual summer vacation to Colorado—despite yard work, laundry, and cooking for six—we return to our regular lives rested, refreshed, and restored.

So, it has me thinking maybe rest is found where we least expect it. Maybe it’s right where we forget to look for it.

Faith, Parenting, Travel, SummerShawna SullivanJuly 19, 2023Colorado, Encouragement, Faith, Rest Comments

An Invitation When You Feel Stuck in the Valleys of Life

An Invitation When You Feel Stuck in the Valleys of Life

Life’s journey has long been represented by seasons of mountains high and valleys low. Commonly, mountain tops represent the peaks of enjoyment, satisfaction, and fulfillment, while valleys the deeper, darker, and difficult seasons. My age and experience attest to quite the opposite. So, I want to extend the invitation to you. Read why.

Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanJuly 5, 2023Colorado, Mountains, Valleys, Nature, Faith, Encouragement Comments

Five Things to Try When Disappointment Clouds the Summer Sun

Five Things to Try When Disappointment Clouds the Summer Sun

Surely our family is not the only one to experience an unexpected sickness, a discouraging diagnosis, or a disappointing change of plans during summer. Right? As much as we love summertime for making memories, finding rest, and seeking adventure, we equally feel the sting of disappointment when things don't go as planned.

So, I recorded my own thoughts to share with you in hopes that they bring you joy amidst your own disappointments this summer and always.

Education, Faith, Knowing God, ParentingShawna SullivanJune 7, 2023Summer, Family, Encouragement, Disappointment, SicknessComment

All Things Summer: Grab My Simple Strategies for an Extraordinary Summer

All Things Summer: Grab My Simple Strategies for an Extraordinary Summer

Summer is here, so what now?

Grab these ten simple strategies to make the most of your summertime, and not let it slip away.

Education, Faith, Parenting, SummerShawna SullivanMay 31, 2023parenting, encouragement, summer, faith, educationComment

The Painful and Powerful Process of Making

The Painful and Powerful Process of Making

We recently celebrated my daughter turning 11 with a mother-daughter pottery lesson. Remarkably, I couldn’t ignore the spiritual significance of each step and their profound implications on my life.

If you are feeling like the pressures of life are causing you to spin out of control, read the latest post and be encouraged.

Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanApril 26, 2023family, Parenting, Faith, Pottery, Art Comments

The Secret to a Living Hope and Less Anxiety

The Secret to a Living Hope and Less Anxiety

One thing that causes the greatest anxiety in me is my to do list. During this week that falls immediately after Easter, I’m viewing my own needs through a resurrected lens and asking:

If Christ’s sacrifice on the cross satisfied my deepest need, then what do I really need to do today?

Faith, Parenting, EasterShawna SullivanApril 12, 2023Easter, Faith, Anxiety, Hope, Joy, Freedom, Peace, ParentingComment

Spring Cleaning: 3 Ways to Tidy Up Your Time and Cultivate a Fruitful Life

Spring Cleaning: 3 Ways to Tidy Up Your Time and Cultivate a Fruitful Life

The time for spring cleaning is near, but have you ever thought of tidying up your time?

I know what you are thinking:

How can I tidy my time?
How can I continue to make progress if I allow rest to hold prominence?
How can I remain faithful to the goals I set at the beginning of the year?
How can I know what areas of my life need to be addressed this season?

I’m glad you asked. Read here and find out.

Faith, Parenting, Time, StewardshipShawna SullivanMarch 1, 2023Time, Encouragement, Parenting, Faith, Stewardship Comment

Where To Find Joy Here and Now

Where To Find Joy Here and Now

“What do you need to surrender?” Her question echoed through the microphone and searched my heart.

I sat while my mind invited the Spirit to search my heart. Before getting on a plane and entering back into real life, what was God asking me to surrender to increase my agility and joy along this faithful race?

While several areas came to mind, one clearly stood out.

Faith, Education, Parenting, SisterhoodShawna SullivanJanuary 31, 2023Sisterhood, Encouragement, Parenting, Marriage, FaithComment

Hope For When You Wish You Could Just Start Over

Hope For When You Wish You Could Just Start Over

What is it in us that is so desperate for something new? Don’t get me wrong. I love a clean slate, a blank canvas, and wide open spaces. But if we are honest, the changing of the calendar doesn’t actually bring anything new with it except the hope of better. So, how can we experience newness in the middle of our story? Read and be encouraged.

Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanJanuary 4, 2023New Year's, new, renewal, redemption, restoration, regeneration Comments

Three Ways to Shape Your Child's Heart Toward Generosity

Three Ways to Shape Your Child's Heart Toward Generosity

There is no better time to begin shaping your child’s heart for generosity than now. The holiday season ushers us into the spirit of giving like none other, yet it’s threatened by our desires to get. We all feel the tension.

So, as parents, how can we model generosity as a family at this time of year and beyond? Here are three helpful ways I’ve found to do just that, along with some resources to get you started.

Education, Faith, Parenting, StewardshipShawna SullivanDecember 7, 2022Christmas, Generosity, Parenting, Encouragment, Faith, Education, Giving, Serving, StewardshipComment

For the One Wondering If God Sees All You Do

For the One Wondering If God Sees All You Do

In my prayers, I began presenting God my platters of good deeds, sacrifices, and accomplishments, and expected Him to return my offering with earthly blessing, favor, and gain. As time passed, life grew arduous. Soon I discovered the only variable increasing in my life was bitterness.

Did God even see all that I was doing? Did He even care?

Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanOctober 25, 2022Parenting, spiritual encouragement, MotherhoodComment

Calm Your Anxious Heart: Three Verses to Fight the Fear at Three AM

Calm Your Anxious Heart: Three Verses to Fight the Fear at Three AM

My eyelids open. The sky is dark. My mind is awake.

Sometimes I pull out my phone and write down spiraling thoughts, pressing to-do’s and creative ideas. Most of the time I eventually feel the tension release, but for the times it continues to clasp tightly I use these prayers to return me to rest.

Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanSeptember 27, 2022Anxiety, Encouragement, Scripture, Prayer Comments

Three Questions To Ponder During Unimaginable Loss

Three Questions To Ponder During Unimaginable Loss

After a recent loss, there were no spiritual platitudes or verses that could immediately numb the mind-blowing pain of a life taken too early, but I knew that I needed to be reminded of a God whose ways are different than mine. So, where do you turn in those moments when you feel lost, alone, and desperate for direction?

Join me as I process through three critical questions. Perhaps in my processing you, too, can find healing for a way forward through your own grief or disappointment.

Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanAugust 31, 2022grief, healing, faith, encouragement Comments

What Size is Your God: Remembering From Where Your Strength and Joy Comes

What Size is Your God: Remembering From Where Your Strength and Joy Comes

This sweet conversation between my husband and seven year old gifted clarity for me this week, and reminded me that where I place my greatest affections in this life will not only determine the path I follow, but determine the size of my God.

Are you feeling weary at the start of another month, a new season, or another day? Read this, remember who your God is, and find strength and joy again for your next step.

Faith, Education, ParentingShawna SullivanAugust 3, 2022faith, encouragement, parentingComment

How to Finish Strong When Exhaustion is Real

How to Finish Strong When Exhaustion is Real

I am confident we are all in desperate need for a summer sabbath, so I’m reflecting on these questions today:

How can I finish the school year strong?
How can I enter into a restful summer that allows for an exhale of restoration and adventure?
How can I better prepare for the fall without wanting to give up right now?

Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanMay 10, 2022resurrection, Easter, Encouragement, spiritual encouragement, perseveranceComment

A Holy Week Devotion: Who Is At the Center of Your Worship?

A Holy Week Devotion: Who Is At the Center of Your Worship?

This week, as we journey toward remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus, I’m mindful of who is at the center of my worship. I’m reminded that worship is costly. I’m reminded that we are constantly given the option of who to place at the center of our heart’s deepest affections.

Faith, Education, ParentingShawna SullivanApril 12, 2022Easter, Holy week, Worship, Faith, EncouragementComment

The Secret to Persevering in Parenting

The Secret to Persevering in Parenting

If you are like me, we have entered the mad dash to the finish line of the school year. Spring activities are in full swing and the calendar is stacked. The new post this week is reminding us all the secret to persevering through this journey of parenting.

Education, Faith, ParentingShawna SullivanMarch 28, 2022parenting, encouragementComment