About the Author

Anna works full-time for DaySpring from Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and four kids. Anna is the author of A Moment of Christmas and Pumpkin Spice for Your Soul, and she shares the good stuff of the regular, encouraging you to see the ordinary glory in your everyday.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Seeing God in the details is such a blessing! He’s majestic even in the mundane!
    Congrats on the audio! I may not be able to read one day so the audio will meet a need before it’s my reality even! Thank you for making a way.

  2. I relate to the simple, mundane everyday activities we take for granted. Things that some of us see as “nothing special “ would seem so terrific to others. Jesus tells us not to take even the smallest thing as a mustard seed for granted. So Simple.

  3. I love it!!! I am a get real person!! I was raised in a Christian home and thankful for it!!! It was anything but perfection!! We had an old mess hall table form the Airforce base nearby–my dad had been in the Airforce for over 26 years—so he felt we needed a big table–they were getting rid of some and he brought one home–12 ft long–at least 1/2 was always covered with dog leashes, school assignments, half done activities—if we came in from school and it was cleared, we knew mom had invited some poor widow or someone in the town without family to dinner. We all groaned. Funny now–we all do the same thing—that is real.
    Doing for the down and lonely. All of us kids have been there and we understand now. As we grew up we liked to see that long table cleared—it meant we could put a smile on someone’s face. Things don’t have to be picture perfect—far better to help someone put a smile and a warm meal in their bodies!!!!

  4. I wonder if it’s possible to have a copy of the In devotion regarding Hagar. It disappeared and I would really love to refer to it.
    Thank you so much.
    Such wise, to the point counsel each day. Thank you All for your transparency!

  5. Anna, this is so lovely! Thank you. Life can get very messy. And messy is real and it can be very good indeed!

  6. Oh wow, we grew up with discipline that after we ate breakfast, or lunch no one went to school or did their homeworks in the tiny study room without helping clear up the table. You didn’t want to be late the school or Sunday school, you better help or everyone got detained! The dining table was cleaned & no papers left there from days before. We certainly didn’t use paper plates. We were taught table etiquette using silverware & real dinner plates. We prayed before meals & mom cooked veggies with every meal.
    We were given chores although we grew up with a maid, a laundry woman, an ironing lady & groceries were called in & delivered. I skipped washing the dishes after dinner one night by paying the maid with my allowance because I had so much homework in my AP classes, she told my dad & I got in trouble. I ended up doing extra chores!
    My mom was a dentist had her practice in a tiny portion of the living room, my dad was an electrical engineer. We were taught humility, kindness & generosity by giving up our beds one day a week to an orphan we had for the Christmas holidays, so much so the orphan didn’t want to go back to the orphanage. . I disciplined my kids the same way- Time management, proper use of God’s gifts & tithing. I worked FT as a Critical Care Nurse but cooked everyday or every other day healthy meals. I didn’t take my kids to fast foods. I dragged them with me when I volunteered at church or did my deaconess duties.
    I believe there’s less discipline in homes now, the parents just baby their kids too much. Or parents are too lax.

  7. I love everything about today’s post, and would have been one of the people AMENing your original post. I believe in celebrating the everyday because even in every day imperfections, beauty can be found.

  8. Anna,

    Thanks for sharing this! Life is real, messy and wonderful!

    Peace and Blessings to you!!

  9. Excellent post today. As of late I have often thought about taking the hand of Jesus once I reach Heaven and we shall “go away to a quiet place” and I will be able to ask him so many questions. Thank you for your sharing and God bless.

  10. Anna,

    Yes yes yes to all of this. I, too, am a get real person. One thing I often say is “Martha Stewart doesn’t live here.” You won’t get fancy schmancy from me ever. You will get real life, good home cooking, lots of laughter & fun. Your post sort of reminds me of Mark Lowry’s “Mary Did You Know?” Where he asks a series of questions. Would love to sit with Jesus & ask some of those questions. Now that the holidays are over (yeah!!) Would love to keep the awe, questions & adoration going in simple ordinary days. Keep reminding ourselves of just what Christmas is about: The Cross!! Praying we can keep the Christmas celebration going long after December. Let’s not forget Jesus leaving Heaven to save humanity.

    Whoot whoot to the original post!! Let’s get real!!

    Blessings 🙂

  11. This post reminds me of watching “The Chosen”. It shows how real Jesus was and is. It also reminded me of Mary’s feelings and emotions were as a MOM! If you haven’t watched the series, it is a must!