About the Author

At (in)courage, we empower women to be like Jesus. Our writers share what’s going on in their life and how God’s right in the middle of it. They bring their joys & struggles so that you can feel less alone and be empowered by the hope Jesus gives.

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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. I love your message today, Mary.
    God has manyways that He expresses His love to and through us.
    Oh, to be like your 5 year old daughter, raising her hands for Jesus.
    There are so many wonderful ways to express our love to God.

    Your writing blesses my heart today.

  2. Yes. This. Too many times I’ve wished to be less self-conscious and more God-conscious. May He give us the courage to love Him most and love Him freely!

  3. This is so encouraging! Actually I’m the 70-something lady, who can’t hold still during worship songs. I’m moving and dancing in my spot! I’m sure some people disapprove. But you have given me permission to let it burst forth. Thank you!

  4. Thank you for your honesty in your feeling of raising your hands . I love to worship with my hands raised , I often close my eyes as I am worshiping God and not seeing what man / woman is doing around me . My little 1/1/2 year old granddaughter is a mini worshipper . She does this with such joy as she sings with out words we can understand . She truly embraces the Joy of the Lord . It is a joy to behold . We can learn so much from the little ones around us about God’s goodness . Thank you again for sharing ❤️️

  5. Mary,

    To often we feel self conscious about our actions in church. That has changed for me. I no longer care what others think. Only want to give praise to God. You can find me doing a little sign language to our music in church. My small church is constantly raising their hands in praise & thanks to Almighty God. This devotion reminds me of two songs. Steven C. Chapman’s “Live Out Loud” here is first verse & chorus: Imagine this I get a phone call from Regis He says, “Do you want to be a millionaire?”
    They put me on the show and I win with two lifelines to spare Now picture this I act like nothing ever happened
    And bury all the money in a coffee can Well, I’ve been given more than Regis ever gave away
    I was a dead man who was called to come out of my grave And I think it’s time for makin’ some noise
    Wake the neighbors, get the word out Come on crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
    This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out So la la la la live out loud Got to live out loud, now now now now.

    My second song is Chris Tomlin’s “Thank you Lord”. The third & fourth verses speak volumes to me.
    Thank You Lord for the hard times For lighting the way in the dark times For pulling me in, forgiving again
    The times that I took it too far, I Gotta thank You for keeping me humble For picking me up when I stumble
    And although I change, You stay the same And I don’t say thank You enough
    For my mama, for my friends For Your love that never ends For the songs that make us dance On this ol’ dirt floor
    For my babies, for my girl For the way they changed my world (changed my world)
    Waking up today Yeah, I just gotta say Thank You Lord I just wanna say Thank You Lord (oh yeah)
    Praise up Eyes closed One thing I know I just wanna thank You Lord, thank You Lord (thank You Lord)
    Praise up Eyes closed One thing I know I just wanna thank You Lord, thank You Lord

    Blessings 🙂