Just for Women 2013 Archives

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

When You're this Close to Giving up Hope

Ann Voskamp shares a powerful story about the first Sunday of Advent and butterflies and a friend with a broken heart.

Can you still believe you can fly with broken wings?

Alms and the Red Kettle

Cathy Messecar confesses her struggle to make giving something that honors God and not herself and she talks about the Salvation Army Red Kettle Drive.

Doesn't my gift count?

How to Put One Foot in Front of the Other

Ann Voskamp talks about eucharisteo and Compassion International and Haiti and child protection and question marks and learning to live with thanksgiving.

Walking together means we give with thanks so no one walks alone.

Pool of Mercy

Cathy Messecar draws us into the story of the man born blind that was healed by Jesus in John 9 and reminds us that we are here to continue Jesus' ministry of healing and mercy.

Have you offered sight to the blind?

When You're Missing Being Loved

Ann Voskamp talks about this year's wheat harvest and how it reminds her of God's grace and message of love when she was once in France and how communion is about love and love is about sacrifice.

Sometimes we don't see that love is defined by surprise and sacrifice.

The Real Love Stories... and Why There Really Are No Blurred Lines

Ann Voskamp writes about the love she shares with her farmer husband and how he loves her with real love.

So where can we find real love stories today?

Living the ultimate Romance

Ann Voskamp writes about how much she loves her husband and why.

How strong can love grow?

The Prize

Terese Bell Kindred shares a story of a friend she admires and compares her to a prize fighter because she keeps getting up and going on after bad things and cancer.

Why keep getting up?

The 'How!' for hard Days

Ann Voskamp and Joni Eareckson Tada team up to provide a beautiful and powerful reminder of the power of our words to change everything.

How do we get past the hardest of days?

Where Is Your Olive Oil?

Robyn F. Johnson shares the story of the widow and Elisha in 2 Kings 4, and she reminds us that God cares for us and provides for us, we just need to look for our little vial of olive oil and offer it to him.

Where do you go when you don't think you have enough?

WOOHOO! Let's Do this Thing!

Lisa Mikitarian reminds us that life with the Lord really is an adventure because when we love him and are called according to his purposes then he works in our life through adventure to bless us and bring him glory.

Is your life a little short on the adventure scale? Then come along and follow Jesus!

No More Miss Nice Girl!

Lisa Mikitarian talks about being younger, being enamored with a biker while in the military, and how being too nice plagued her until she learned the importance of kindness.

So what's so bad about being

Why Faith Is an Answer to Prayer and Prayer Is an Answer to Faith

Ann Voskamp reminds us that faith and prayer are a two street and the both are intertwined with each other and when this happens, grace, joy, and healing flow into Shalom, peace, wholeness and fullness of life.

How is faith an answer to prayer?

The Second Batch

Lisa Mikitarian tells us a wonderful story about the Father's grace revealed in a young girl's fall with the cupcakes made to honor her beloved grandmother.

When does most awful mess become the opportunity for grace to capture our heart and give us confidence for the future?

Boy vs. Coffee Mug

Lisa Mikitarian shares an event in the life of her daily routine with her son and how her reaction to a broken mug leads to even more destruction and a family lesson.

How do you react to this kind of stuff?