Emily Freeman
About the Author

Emily P. Freeman is a writer who creates space for souls to breathe. She is the author of four books, including her most recent release, Simply Tuesday: Small-Moment Living in a Fast-Moving World. She and her husband live in North Carolina with their twin daughters and twinless son.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. This really spoke to me today. I needed the reminder not to let the disappointments of life determine how I go through each day. Thank you for sharing!

  2. “… living is all about learning to see beyond what is to what could be.”

    Yes…that.

    Love your series; it made me happy when I saw that’s what your 31 Days was gonna be and every post I’ve read is sweeter than honey. xo

  3. ….he is creating a masterpiece
    This is so beautiful, and was so fitting this morning in my life
    Thank you for your beautiful writing to inspire so many of us to press on one more day!

  4. “seeing beyond what is to what could be … It doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach us a lesson in our difficulty. Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.”

    This!
    … thank you.

  5. “Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece…”
    “Perhaps they are simply unfinished.”
    Perhaps you have opened my eyes to a new way of looking at those trials and difficulties. A much better way. Wow.
    Thank you.

  6. To see beyond what is to what could be….
    What an awesome message of encouragement today. My husband and I went through a series of healing classes at our church. We know the valley all to well but we didn’t stop there. We allowed His sweet healing to invade our hearts. And we see tomorrow with vision and hope. Who knows what’s next.. But we are ready..

  7. TRANSFORMED BY TROUBLE

    “We know that all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”. Romans 8:28 NIV
    God has a purpose behind every problem. You should expect four kinds of problems in life.

    * Trials are deigned by God to draw us closer to Him and build our character.

    By Rick Warren
    * Temptations are designed by the Devil to draw us away from God and destroy our character. * Trespasses are hurts caused by sins of others. * Troubles are usualy, but not always, the consequences of our own sinful choices.

  8. He continues to change, mold, create me through our story, which has become His story. His goodness, faithfulness, and love for me continue to amaze. Without Him I don’t know where or what I would be after the last few months…

  9. I needed to read this today. Thank you.

    It’s hard to see beyond today when it seems everything is falling apart. We short-saled our home 3 years ago and are in a rental that we do not like. My husband was laid off of work 2 years ago and is at a job that takes him away for 14 hour days, or week long trips. He is hurting emotionally and physically because of the job, but it’s what we need right now. Or rather, it brings in some money which we need.

    It is so hard to see that things might change for the better one day. But I know they will, and I so needed this reminder to look beyond!

    • Praying for your family Sabrina.
      My family has been through this and come out the other side. Stronger and more faithful because of it.
      Hugs,
      Kris

  10. I don’t know if your dream is to call out the artist in others….

    But you are doing it.

    And I am feeling beckoned for more, beyond my human frailties and past excuses.

    Thank you, sweet Emily, who shares her heart like a song being birthed from the depths of her soul.

    I am SO being changed by this symphony of a series!

  11. I’m so grateful for this post! I am in the midst of a struggle, and it’s hard to see what lies ahead. Thank you for reminding me that God has a purpose for me, even if I can’t see it.
    “Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.” What a statement of hope!

  12. I’m wrestling right now with the question of whether leaving a relationship would be “stopping too soon”. I don’t want to leave this relationship unfinished – before it is time. But I can’t keep asking myself these questions for much longer.

  13. “Perhaps He is simply creating a masterpiece.”

    I have a tendency to fall into the “lesson” mindset. It’s so freeing to realize that all of my times are in God’s hands – that He is in control and will finish what He has started in me. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask “why,” but sometimes I think that we need to leave the “whys” and focus on the “whats” — “what do you want me to do with this, God?”

    We are all unfinished masterpieces. What rest this brings should we choose to believe it 🙂

    Thanks, Emily!

  14. We can be right and lonely. O how I love how you wrapped words around that sadness. Thank you for the wisdom and inspiration in this post – many blessings over you and what you create for His glory. Hugs!

  15. I know I sound like a broken record when I comment on your posts, but you are such an amazing writer! I always find a piece of brilliance and insight in reading your words…I have to say I am so happy and excited that you are reading Madeleine L’engle’s “Walking On Water” – it’s one of my most favorite books in the world, and I think it should be required reading for every single Christian artist. 🙂
    Blessings to you and thank you for writing from your heart!

  16. Thanks Emily. When things seem hard, it is good remember that He is working on perfecting us. I love your writing! You are very gifted.

  17. Things have been really hard lately and this post truly helped me to refocus. I do not have to always see the big picture, because God sees it. Thank you so much.

  18. “whole only comes after broken”

    thank you for these words
    walking through my broken….almost whole
    God is steadfast and unchanging…for that I am ever thankful

    love and light

  19. “Perhaps living is all about learning to see beyond what is to what could be. Could it be there is more to the story that we don’t know yet? It doesn’t mean that God is trying to teach us a lesson in our difficulty. Perhaps he is simply creating a masterpiece.”

    That so speaks to me!
    Happy to be a masterpiece in the making and not just a big mess!

  20. Loved this post…..very encouraging in this world where it rains on the just and unjust a like. We can either play in the rain or stay shut away from it and grow dry and bitter. Posting this on my fb….know it will encourage.

  21. Great post. It is so easy to stay stuck in the parts of life that bring hurt, pain, grief etc. What a great reminder that God does not leave us here and that just because we might hurt doesn’t mean that God is finished with our story. Thank you!

  22. Thank you! What a wonderful reminder that we can have the “freedom” to just rest and watch him work his masterpiece. Obviously we will have to make choices and decisions in the process, but He is the one with the ultimate control and that really takes the pressure off! Thanks that makes me so happy!

  23. Oh my goodness, Emily. I cannot tell you how much I needed to read that, on that EXACT day. I didn’t get to comment, but remembered it so much I wanted to come back and thank you for the encouragement you wrote here. It was a gift.

  24. It’s moments like these that I wish I knew you for real. You have a gift of being able to write powerful words that reach thousands of women. Bless you.

  25. Oh.
    My.

    Em?

    This…
    “Whole only comes after broken. Healing only comes after wounds. ”

    You’ve been writing my heart.

    Love you more than words can say…

    All’s grace,
    Ann

  26. I read this several days ago but had to come back for another read. Yes to all of this. But let me tell you, it’s a hard thing to swallow. Why does staying “right and lonely” feel so right? The letting go and living grace is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’m 100% in the trenches of it. Your words here? They inspire me to walk the narrow, beautiful road…to walk in His justice {not mine} and embrace the perhaps unfinished instead of holding on to unjust.

  27. Emily, I just started reading your book (recommended on Ann Voskamp’s blog a few weeks back) and I am already relating to it more than I want to admit. I found out through the book that you have a blog. I got online to check it out and the title of this blog post caught my eye–“know your brokenness.” I am seeking right now through fasting and prayer to be broken about something in particular.

    This post was very helpful for my perspective. To be pointed back to Jesus and “beyond what is to what could be” was exactly what I needed to meditate on this afternoon.

    Thank you.