Cassie L. Wilson

Learning to be the light

Hope and Faith: 2021’s Words of the Year

Inside: filling 2021 with hope and leaning on some faith

Can you believe we are finally at the end of 2020?? I don’t know about you, but I was entirely too hopeful about the start of the New Year around this time last year.

And, then, 2020 came around and knocked us all for a loop. I think it is safe to say 2020 has been… not great.

Don’t get me wrong, there were some really good things that happened in 2020. I finished grad school (which, dear reader, is one reason I haven’t been blogging as much. There are some other reasons, but that’s a different post). And, by the grace of God, I passed my Spanish Praxis test (that’s a good story of faith, too!).

But, as I’m sure it’s the same with most of us this year, the bad seems to outweigh the good.

2020 has been hard. It’s been painful, chaotic, and downright hurtful.

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Storms: What to Do When You’re in One

Inside: how to hold on during a storm

Have you ever ridden a boat? Not like on the lake or a riverboat. But, a boat out in the middle of the ocean and you can’t see land?

So, I have. I was with a group of my classmates on a research trip.

Lemme set the scene: The sun is shining bright. The swells aren’t terribly bad and the breeze is just right. And just about every single one of us, including me, couldn’t keep our eyes open because the boat was rocking us to sleep.

Really, it’s a miracle none of us fell out of it…

So, when I read about the story of Jesus and the disciples in Mark 4, I can understand how Jesus feel asleep so quickly.

And, then I think, “Uh, Cassie, it was also storming…” And then I’m all, “Nevermind… Not sure I could’ve slept through that.” (And if you know me, you know I sleep through just about everything…)

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The Thing About Seasons and Life

Inside: growing in your season

Do you ever get the feeling like you should do something, but you really don’t know the reason for doing it?

I can’t be the only one, right?

Well, I had a feeling the other day that I should read the very first Psalm. I admit, dear reader, it’s been a while since I’ve spent much time in the Psalms, let alone Psalm 1. But, after reading it, I thought, “Whoooooa, that was unexpected.“

So, Psalm 1 is pretty short, right? Even though it’s short, it packs a pretty powerful punch. Psalm 1 is basically about being rooted in the Lord and being unwavering in your faith.

And, I dunno about you, but in 2020, I think we could all stand to be a little more rooted in the Word and our faith. Heaven knows 2020 has been… well, the wonkiest.

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When punishment is replaced with mercy

Inside: mercy and grace

Let’s take a trip down memory lane, okay? Remember when you were a kid and you got into some trouble? Do you remember what your punishment was?

I do.

Punishment in the Wilson household usually consisted of standing in the corner for a while or going out and getting your own switch. But, not just any switch, it had to be just right.

Imagine it: Kid Cassie is doing something stupid and gets into trouble. What does her Pops do? He sends her out into the yard to get a switch. Kid Cassie automatically turns the waterworks on, but goes out to find one anyway.

Kid Cassie picks a switch and takes it back to her dad, still crying her eyes out. Pops inspects it and says, “No. I said a switch, not a twig. Go get another one.” Kid Cassie obeys, not wanting to make anything worse, and tries to find a new switch. With snot pouring from her nose from crying, she picks what she thinks is an acceptable switch and takes it back to her dad.

Only, it’s still not right.

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When You’re Dealing With a Load of Hurt

Inside: an honest chat about when you’re dealing with a load of hurt.

Dear, reader:

Can we talk about something that’s been weighing on my mind and my heart for a while?

I’m sure you’ve probably noticed that I’ve been away from my blog for a while. Was that intentional? No, it wasn’t.

But, if I’m being honest, it’s been really hard to sit down and write encouraging posts (which, is kind of the goal here), especially when you haven’t been very encouraged yourself.

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