Katie Kenny Phillips
About the Author

Katie Kenny Phillips lives in Atlanta with her husband, Jeff, and their three hilarious boys (Bigs, Middles and Littles). They are also loving two children through foster care.

(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. What a wonderful post. You had me tearing up, laughing out loud and then acknowledging the process. During our struggles, keep our eyes on Him and the end result will be worth it.

    Btw, McDonough resident. 🙂

    • Oh, Shelli, the waiting is so hard. I know I felt like a wanderer in the desert. And then all of a sudden the waiting is over. Praying for good news for you and your daughter!

    • Shelli,

      Prayers for good news for you and your family.

      A big prayer for an END TO CANCER!!!

  2. Speaking of tears…you’re about pushing mine over the edges with this post! 🙂 There’s something so simple and yet profound about the sweet joy in a child’s heart. Such tender reminders that God can turn ashes into beautiful things. The real tragedy is when we fail not only to see, but to choose it. Thanks for the encouragement.

    • Crystal, such truth about God bringing beauty out of ashes. I am reminded of that every day as we foster two children. We need to choose to see the redemption in the midst of the struggle. Amen.

    • Laughter and tears–totally ok! As long as you didn’t throw a temper tantrum like my 2 four year olds today, you are good. 🙂 Thank you for your sweet words.

    • Funny how they seem so real and intense in the moment. And then things change. And then they change again. If only could adjust as quickly as my four year old! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words.

  3. Hi Katie,

    Quite honestly, this post took my breath away. It was so beautifully written and the message is exactly what I need to hear. My family has been dealing with the “hard” for a long time. We have been holding our breath while praying that our Savior frees us from our it. How comforting it is to know that we are not forgotten by Him and that one day, just like your son’s trip the dentist, it will be hard, then it will be beautiful.

    God Bless.

    • Oh, Veronica. Thank you for sharing. Sometimes it feels so deep and hard and impossible. But there’s a hope we hold onto that cannot be taken from us…He will never leave us or forsake us. Praise God. Praying that God delivers you from this hard time and that you will rest in Him now and also after when it’s beautiful.

  4. “Something was hard. Then it was beautiful.” Such sweet truth. We are currently in the hard waiting stage of saving money for a bigger house. It’s requiring sacrifice and saying no to spending money on things and activities we want. But it will be worth it in the end.

    • Thank you, Stephanie. Oh, I know how hard it is to walk through a season and you don’t know when you’ll be done with it. But there is an end and it will be worth it.

  5. Loved this…immediately sent it to my husband as we navigate through a seemingly never ending season of “hard” in terms of ex-spouses…but because of those difficulties, our necklace shines all the more brightly…5 gorgeous kids, a marriage built on a foundation of God’s love, and a passion and respect for each other for which we prayed…thankful for the light shed on the good stuff.

  6. Katie,

    Life can be hard and choices we make can seem to be all wrong. Plenty of tears were shed. Then God comes in and makes it all better. He makes us realize that this is the spot He wants us in for now. He also shows us how in trials and tribulations He is with us and we can be survivors.

    Actually we realize that what we thought was hard wasn’t so bad after all! I choose the necklace also!!!!!

    • Amen, Beth! I often pray for an eternal perspective so my difficulties and trials can be a joy and honor rather than merely painful. There is pain, yes, but beauty also.