Leadership is not just about strategy, vision, or results—it is about people. The most effective leaders understand that emotional intelligence is not a “soft skill,” but a critical leadership competency. Emotional intelligence (EQ) allows leaders to manage their own emotions, understand the emotional dynamics of their teams, and lead with clarity, empathy, and integrity. In today’s workplaces, emotionally intelligent leadership is essential for sustainable success. The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership Leaders set the emotional tone of their organizations. How a leader responds under pressure, communicates during change, and navigates conflict directly impacts team culture and performance. Leaders with strong emotional intelligence are better able to: Regulate emotions during high-stress situations Communicate expectations clearly and respectfully Build trust and psychological safety Address conflict without escalating it Adapt leadership style to meet the needs of others When emotional intelligence is lacking, teams often experience miscommunication, disengagement, and burnout. Emotional Intelligence and Healthy Workplace Culture Workplaces thrive when people feel valued as whole individuals—not just for what they produce. Emotionally intelligent leaders recognize the human side of work and create environments where people feel safe to contribute, grow, and be honest. This kind of leadership: Encourages collaboration and innovation Reduces turnover and disengagement Supports accountability without shame Builds resilience during change and challenge EQ helps leaders balance results with relationships, ensuring both people and performance are prioritized. Navigating Difficult Conversations as a Leader One of the most challenging aspects of leadership is having difficult conversations. Emotional intelligence equips leaders to address issues directly while maintaining dignity and respect. Rather than avoiding conflict or responding with authority alone, emotionally intelligent leaders approach conversations with curiosity and clarity. They listen, acknowledge emotions, and remain grounded—even when discussions are uncomfortable. These skills foster trust and credibility, even in moments of tension. Developing Emotional Intelligence as a Leader Emotional intelligence is not about perfection—it is about awareness and growth. Leaders who are willing to reflect on their emotional patterns and seek feedback are better equipped to lead effectively. Ways leaders can strengthen EQ include: Practicing self-reflection and emotional regulation Seeking coaching or leadership development Learning to receive and integrate feedback Being intentional about communication and presence At Speak Life Consulting, we partner with leaders and organizations to cultivate emotional intelligence that supports both mission-driven results and healthy team dynamics. When leaders lead themselves well, they create space for others to thrive.

Relationships are central to our lives. Whether with family, friends, partners, or colleagues, the quality of our relationships often determines the quality of our well-being. One of the most important—yet often overlooked—skills in building and sustaining healthy relationships is emotional intelligence . Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions while also being aware of and responsive to the emotions of others. It shapes how we communicate, handle conflict, set boundaries, and repair when things go wrong. Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Relationships Many relationship struggles are not about a lack of love or commitment—they are about unmet emotional needs, miscommunication, and unspoken expectations. Without emotional awareness, we can unintentionally hurt the people we care about or feel misunderstood and disconnected. Emotional intelligence allows us to: Identify what we are truly feeling beneath the surface Communicate emotions clearly instead of reacting impulsively Respond with empathy rather than defensiveness Recognize emotional patterns and triggers Take responsibility for our own emotional responses Healthy relationships are not free from conflict, but they are rooted in understanding, accountability, and emotional safety. Navigating Conflict with Emotional Awareness Conflict is inevitable in any meaningful relationship. Emotional intelligence gives us the tools to face conflict in ways that strengthen connection rather than damage it. Instead of reacting out of anger, fear, or avoidance, emotionally intelligent individuals learn to pause and reflect. They ask themselves what they need, what the other person may be experiencing, and how to communicate with honesty and respect. When conflict is approached with emotional awareness: Conversations become more productive Defensiveness decreases Repair becomes possible Trust is strengthened over time The goal is not to “win” an argument, but to preserve the relationship while addressing the issue. Building Deeper Connection Through Emotional Intelligence Emotionally intelligent relationships create space for vulnerability. When people feel seen, heard, and valued, connection deepens. EQ helps us listen not just to respond, but to understand. It encourages curiosity over assumptions and compassion over judgment. Growing in emotional intelligence allows us to love others well without losing ourselves in the process. It supports healthier boundaries, clearer communication, and more authentic connection. Growing Your Emotional Intelligence Emotional intelligence is a skill that can be developed over time. Growth begins with awareness and a willingness to reflect honestly. Practical ways to grow include: Naming emotions instead of suppressing them Paying attention to emotional triggers Practicing calm communication during difficult moments Seeking support through counseling or coaching At Speak Life Consulting, we believe emotional intelligence is foundational to relational health. When we learn to understand ourselves more fully, we are better equipped to engage in relationships with grace, clarity, and compassion.

Leadership is often measured by outcomes—growth, efficiency, impact. While results matter, sustainable leadership is formed long before the numbers change. It is shaped in character, refined through experience, and expressed in how leaders steward people, purpose, and pressure. At its best, leadership is not about position or authority. It is about influence, responsibility, and the willingness to grow alongside those you lead. Leadership Begins With Self-Awareness Healthy leadership starts internally. Before leaders can guide organizations or teams, they must understand themselves—their values, strengths, blind spots, and motivations. Self-aware leaders make better decisions, communicate more clearly, and respond rather than react under pressure. Self-awareness also requires humility. Leaders who are willing to learn, receive feedback, and admit when they do not have all the answers create cultures of trust and growth. When leaders model reflection and accountability, teams feel permission to do the same. Leading People, Not Just Performance Organizations do not move forward without people. Effective leaders recognize that performance improves when people feel seen, supported, and developed. This does not mean lowering expectations; it means raising them while providing the clarity and care needed to meet them. Strong leaders invest in understanding their team members’ strengths and how those strengths align with organizational goals. When individuals are positioned where they thrive, engagement increases, collaboration improves, and outcomes follow. Balancing results with compassion is not a weakness—it is a strategic advantage. Teams that feel valued are more resilient, adaptable, and committed to the mission. Navigating Complexity and Change Leadership is rarely exercised in calm conditions. More often, leaders are navigating uncertainty, competing priorities, and systems that resist change. The ability to remain grounded and mission-focused in complex environments is a defining leadership skill. Effective leaders communicate clearly during change. They provide context, set expectations, and listen well. They understand that change impacts people differently and that guiding teams through transition requires patience, consistency, and courage. Integrity as the Foundation Integrity is the cornerstone of trustworthy leadership. It is built through consistent alignment between values and actions—especially when decisions are difficult or costly. Leaders with integrity create environments where ethical decision-making is expected, not optional. When leaders act with integrity, they foster confidence within their teams and credibility beyond them. Trust becomes a shared currency, enabling organizations to move forward even in challenging seasons. Developing Leaders at Every Level Leadership development is not reserved for executives. Organizations thrive when leadership capacity is cultivated at every level. Developing leaders means equipping individuals with the skills to think critically, communicate effectively, and take ownership of their roles. Coaching, assessment, and intentional development help leaders grow with clarity and confidence. When leaders are supported in their growth, they are better prepared to support others. Purpose-Driven Leadership Purpose gives leadership direction. Leaders who are grounded in a clear sense of calling or mission lead with conviction and clarity. Purpose-driven leadership aligns strategy with values and ensures that success is measured not only by outcomes, but by impact. When leaders understand why they lead, they are better equipped to make decisions that serve both people and mission. Purpose sustains leaders through pressure and anchors organizations through change. The Ongoing Work of Leadership Leadership is not a destination—it is ongoing work. It requires reflection, courage, and a willingness to grow. The most effective leaders remain teachable, grounded, and committed to forming environments where people and organizations can thrive. Leadership that forms people and produces results is possible. It begins with intentional development, integrity, and a commitment to lead with both excellence and compassion. As leaders grow, so do their teams—and the impact extends far beyond the organization itself.

A few years ago, I wrote an article about Leaning into Love  during the holidays —specifically, how to love someone who is struggling with addiction. It resonated deeply with many of you, because loving someone through their pain is an act of courage, commitment, and resilience. This year, however, I feel the need to expand that message. This year, we’re not only leaning into love…We’re leaning into love and  grace . The Holidays: A Season of Joy, Sadness, and Everything In Between For many of us, the holiday season is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Lights twinkle, families gather, and traditions bring warmth—but right beneath the surface, grief often quietly lingers. We are all on a grief journey of some kind. And depending on where you are in that journey, you may find your emotions showing up differently this year: You may suddenly feel the weight of everything you will never experience with your loved one. You may find yourself becoming more irritable, easily overwhelmed, or wanting distance from the people you love. You may notice old wounds resurfacing or new layers of sadness emerging. None of this makes you weak, wrong, or unloving. It makes you human . And it is important to remember: the people around you may also be grieving—just in their own ways. When Grief Affects Relationships Balancing your own grief with the needs of your loved ones is incredibly hard. Grief is not linear. It doesn’t care about the calendar. It doesn’t pause for holidays or celebrations. This tension can cause misunderstandings: One person wants connection, while another needs space. One wants to reminisce, while another can’t bear to reopen memories. One expresses grief quietly, while another expresses it in frustration or withdrawal. This is why navigating the season requires intentional communication—and a willingness to extend grace not only to others but also to ourselves. Leaning Into Love and  Grace To lean into love is to stay connected through compassion. To lean into grace is to allow yourself and others the permission to be exactly where they are—even when it’s messy. Here are a few ways to lean into both during the holidays: 1. Communicate Your Needs with Honesty and Kindness You don’t have to pretend to be okay. Letting others know what you need—space, connection, quiet, help—reduces confusion and brings clarity. 2. Allow Others to Grieve Differently No two grief journeys look the same. Honor each person’s rhythm without judgment. 3. Offer Yourself Grace for the Hard Moments If you’re irritable, tired, overwhelmed, or emotional—pause. Take a breath. Remind yourself: This is part of the journey, and I’m allowed to feel this. 4. Set Boundaries That Protect Your Heart You can love others deeply while still protecting your well-being. Your needs matter too. 5. Choose Moments of Love—Even Small Ones A gentle word. A shared memory. A quiet cup of coffee together. Small acts of love soften the hardness of grief. You Are Not Alone Whether you are loving someone through addiction, coping with loss, or simply trying to hold yourself together during a complicated season—your feelings are valid. Love and grace do not remove grief. But they do  help us carry it. And as we move through this holiday season, may we remember: We can hold joy and sorrow at the same time. We can love others while grieving ourselves. We can offer grace even when emotions run high. We can extend compassion even when we’re hurting. This season, may you lean into love. May you lean into grace. And may you find moments of peace tucked gently between the heaviness and the hope. #LoveAlways, Laura Dahl Psalm 34:18  – “ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. ”

This time of year, most people will encounter the ubiquitous exclamation of “happy holidays!” It’s easy to get caught up in the positive sentiment. But the holidays are not a happy time of year for everybody. For those struggling with addiction or in recovery, the holiday season can be anything but joyful. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) , 64% of people with mental illness report that the “happiest time of the year” makes them feel worse. Even if you don’t suffer from substance use disorder or diagnosed mental illness, the holidays can feel pretty tough. It’s understandable. Suddenly, we’re yanked out of our daily routine to attend parties, buy presents, and deal with family members we probably haven’t seen all year. Our budgets are strained, our schedules are disrupted, we’re thrust into anxiety-producing social situations, we’re reminded of those who aren’t with us anymore, and we’re expected to not just smile through it all but be “joyful.” That added expectation of joyfulness can make the already-enervating demands of the holiday season that much more draining. The holidays are tough, but for those struggling with addiction or in recovery, the holidays can be a minefield loaded with guilt, anxiety, shame, and ample opportunities to relapse. Considering that “the average American sees a 100% increase in their alcoholic drinking habits between Thanksgiving and New Year’s,” according to a 2020 study , it’s not surprising that people who are dealing with substance use disorder have a particularly hard time over the holiday season. So, what can be done to ease the season’s mental and emotional burden on those coping with substance use disorder? Here’s a suggestion: lean into love. While it might sound like an abstract — and maybe naive and idealistic — concept, love is anything but. Philosophers and poets may have struggled with defining “love” over the centuries, but it’s not all that complicated. It just means getting outside of ourselves and caring for each other. Of course, theory’s one thing. Putting love into practice is another. Here are some practical ways to help this holiday season: Practice compassionate listening and try to have meaningful conversations. How many times have you greeted someone with “Hi! How are you?” and then not listened to what the other person had to say? It’s nothing to be ashamed of — in American culture, nobody’s expected to respond to the question “how are you?” with an honest answer. But why not break the mold? Take the time to listen. Use active listening skills. Paraphrase what the other person is saying, so they know you heard them. Refrain from offering advice. Ask lots of questions, be curious. Listen without judgment and focus on them, not on all the other stuff that’s going on. Really try to hear what they’re telling you about how they’re feeling. You’ll be amazed at how meaningful your conversations can be and how much support you’re giving. Understand people’s boundaries. Sometimes what you think is “enough” is “too much” for someone else. Let them tell you what they want to tell you: Don’t press for information they’re not volunteering. It’s OK to ask questions — in fact, asking questions is one of the best ways to show you’re listening — but don’t pry. If they’re not telling you something, there’s probably a good reason. Have grace for one another when we fall or don’t make the best decisions. Everyone messes up at one time or another, and people who are dealing with difficult situations tend to make mistakes more often simply because there’s a limit to what our human brains can handle at one time. If you’re in recovery and give in to temptation, it doesn’t mean that your recovery is over. It just means you must work harder to understand why and try to figure out what you need to do to get back on track. “Addiction” isn’t an “either/or” thing: just as you or the person you care for didn’t develop a substance use disorder overnight, a relapse doesn’t mean that you should throw all the work you put into recovery out the window. Recognize what happened, try to figure out why, think of how to prevent it from happening in the future, and keep moving forward. No matter what happens, make sure that loved ones know you love them. Saying “I love you” doesn't come naturally to many people. But like many things in life, the more difficult option is often for the best. Even if we love someone, sometimes it’s hard to say the words because doing so leaves us vulnerable. But that’s OK. You don’t always have to say the words, but it’s important that the people we love know that they’re loved. Try a hug or a pat on the shoulder. Give them a smile and a nod, or a thumbs up and a high five. Offer to help them with something that they’re struggling with. To understand love is to understand that you’re not alone. If they know that you’ll be there for them they’ll understand that they’re loved. Be authentic and open. Share our gratitude with one another. Above all, you can’t help yourself if you’re not honest. Yes, it’s emotionally risky to tell someone else how you feel, but not doing so is just as risky. Especially during the holidays, when there are so many expectations and so much pressure to “put on a happy face” no matter the circumstances. Being authentic and open with your feelings cuts through the emotional clutter of the season and lets the person you’re with know they’re not alone. And that’s probably the best gift you can give anyone. Except for the gift of Jesus ! #LoveAlways, Laura Dahl This was a piece written by Laura Dahl and originally published by Addiction Professional: Lean Into Love When Supporting Those With Addiction During Holidays (here is the original publishing)

Proverbs 18:21 “Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (HCSB)   Speaking life is such an opportunity and powerful weapon.  Some people will say speak it into existence, but I am not sure that is all true either.  It gives you a sense of direction, but it is very much that self-help, I can do it on my own mentality that is just exhausting.   Let’s talk about our kids right now in regard to this.  Our words carry so much power and our kids look up to us, love us, admire us, and put a lot of weight on what we think and say about them.  If all they hear is negative from us, then how would we have them believe anything different about themselves.   What if I challenged you to take an inventory of all the things you said to your child/children in just one day?  Get a journal, anytime you speak, text, communicate with your child, write it in the journal.  At the end of the day, sit down and review, next to each message identify if it is building them up (life) or tearing them down (death).  There is no in between, it is either life or death according to the word of God.    Now, do not beat yourself up with this information, allow it to open your eyes and change the interactions for the better with your children.  This is how we are going to win with our kids and let them know they are seen, loved, and valued.  They have been created for a purpose and for this specific time with their specific giftings from God.  Our kids are facing such a fast-paced culture that is constantly bombarding them with messages and most of them are negative.    The messages our children receive in any given day are that they can do better, they are not good enough, they should be thinner, they should kill themselves, hurt themselves etc.  As parents we are commissioned to protect, take care of and help them see themselves as God sees them: perfect, loved, precious, valued, important, wanted and the list goes on and on.    What if I was to tell you as a parent, your children are your mission field.  Will you get it right all the time?  No way!  That’s where God’s grace is so important for all of us.  It is also why it is so important for you to have a strong, deep rooted relationship with God so He can pour out through you to these amazing, precious gifts we have been entrusted with.  I can tell you, it is really easy to write about this, but honestly, God is working on me with this so much right now.  Speaking life and encouraging is a special gift of mine straight from God, but man, is it ever so hard with those that are the closest to us and that means my kids and my husband too. #LoveAlways Laura

Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”   Who likes to wait?  I know I don’t, and this world we are living in today does not advocate waiting at all.  Everything is instant and at our fingertips.  However, waiting for the LORD is imperative in our Christian walk.  The writer of Psalms here declares it and gives something like a directive.   This verse says so much, (I did a strong’s concordance on certain words and phrases) First, wait on the LORD (to wait, look for, hope, expect) Then, be of good courage  (to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore) and he shall strengthen thine heart  (inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding) Lastly, wait, I say, on the LORD!   Waiting on the Lord means trusting Him.  Knowing that His ways are better than anything we could think or imagine.  Have you had a plan for your life and everything is going along just swimmingly and then all of a sudden there is a hard detour on the road?   I am a runner.  Now what does that mean?  Anyone that knows me, knows that does not  mean that I like to run for fun.  Oh no, if I am truly running, you should run as well because something is coming to harm you.  When I say I am a runner I mean, when things get hard or uncomfortable my tendency is to run from the situation.    Because I know this about myself, I will stop and ask the Lord in prayer to guide me.  I know to stop and get quiet with Him.  Many times, this is where he is working on the situation and on me.  Notice in the verse, in between the two statements of wait on the Lord.  This is what we are to do as we are in the middle of the waiting.  We are to be strong and firm in Lord and in our faith, and then a promise , he will strengthen our inner man, our minds, our hearts and allow us to understand what he is doing in the midst of the wait.   Do you want to run from your current situation?  Are you uncomfortable?  Have you stopped to ask the Lord if you are to wait on him?   God brought this song to mind as I was writing this piece.  Enjoy! #LoveAlways Laura https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3TYG7Q_fj4

A woman in the Bible that is absolutely intriguing to me is Deborah.  I would like to introduce you to her, but I will let the word of the Lord introduce her… Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. Judges 4:4   As you can see, the Lord introduces her by name, then title of prophetess, and then in relationship as she is a wife.  THEN, you learn of her job, she was sent by God to be a judge for the people, to help them.  She is the fourth judge, and the ONLY woman judge in the Bible.  It is no coincidence that she is introduced to us in the fourth chapter and the fourth verse of Judges.     When I did a study on the number four I learned that this number means creation.  The number 444 points to change, truth, and personal character.  This pointed me in the direction to question who Deborah was and how was she described and what was her character.  She was a wise leader, fair, faith filled, loved the people, chosen by God to be a spokeswoman for Him.    In the very next verse, after she is introduced, the location is described of where she used to do her business as a judge and prophetess. Judges 4:5 She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people of Israel came up to her for judgment. Let’s do some word search for the meanings of these words and locations.  From what I found, Deborah sat in the shade of a tree between Ramah, meaning height or high and Bethel, meaning house of God in Ephraim, meaning to be fruitful.  If we replace the words with the meanings it reads: She used to sit under the palm of Deborah between high and house of God in the hill country of to be fruitful.  She did God’s business under a tree to be fruitful between the high and house of God.   I believe we have so much to learn from Deborah, her character, how she carried herself, and how she was about God’s business and calling on her life.  She was a woman of honor and given great responsibility from God.  She was a woman who was available to God and the people.  I am still learning about her but wanted to share what God has illuminated to me so far about this intriguing woman of the Bible.     Please share below what God shows to you as you study Deborah for yourself in Judges chapters 4 and 5. #LoveAlways Laura

Recently, I had the amazing opportunity to see Alaska, the final frontier, in all of its majestic beauty.  One day, we had the opportunity to travel the Denali Highway.  So let me set this up for you as it is nothing you would imagine.  It is a dirt road, 100 miles, rather narrow, through the beautiful untouched wilderness of Alaska.  Now, imagine this in a coach bus with 40 people! As you can imagine, this road was rather desolate.  This meant we had to have onboard spare equipment if something was to go wrong to fix the bus and potential lifesaving equipment. There were not many cars that passed us on this 100-mile stretch.  The bus shook the whole time due to the unpaved road we were driving on.  If this was my focus the whole time, this would have been a rather frustrating experience. (Not to mention the motion sickness potential.) However, during this trip God told me to lift my eyes. He said I have a message for you.  You see, I have been struggling recently with where God has me.  I feel like I am missing the mark somehow, that I am not making the impact I could be. It feels as though I am in the wilderness. Do you feel that way too?  He said, "look around, you are in the wilderness and behold the beauty in it all." I lifted my eyes and saw the lush vegetation, the kettle ponds that provided water, all of the provision is in the land all around us.  There were no people as far as the eye could see, no sign of settlement of any kind.  When we got off the bus to take pictures, it was quiet, peaceful.  There was no rush to this trip, just slow and steady.  On this highway rushing would get us into trouble.   How many times is this us in life?  We want results now, better yet, we want them yesterday or last week.  God's timing is everything and it is perfect.  How do we keep that in the forefront of our vision? How do we remember to appreciate the journey and to lift our eyes to the beauty and provision that is right before us rather than focusing on striving for the next great thing?  What if the next great thing is right where we are because that is right where God is! Lord, help us to be present in every season. Thank you for your love and provision that you give us each and every day, even when we don't see it. Thank you for your patience and understanding when we forget to appreciate right where you have us in the midst of the wilderness because you are there with us every step of the way.  We wouldn't want it any other way! Amen #LoveAlways Laura

When I think of my testimony I kind of get overwhelmed, because for me I feel like it is my whole life.  But then Holy Spirit reminds me of my life verse Genesis 50:20 (ESV) “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” You see I never knew what a life verse was until I was attending my old church and others were sharing what theirs was.  A life verse is a verse of scripture that God brings to life for you that encompasses your life.  This could also be seasonal and change throughout your life.  Mine has not changed since God illuminated it for me about a decade ago.    I was saved as a child at vacation bible school one summer.  I do not remember how old I was but I remember where I was when I got saved.  However, it was April of 2009 when I surrendered my life to Jesus and truly began seeking him and walking with him.  So, I guess you could say I am 13 years old in my walk with Jesus.  Which makes me chuckle because I definitely just finished a season of wrestling with God and that makes me think of my teenager wrestling with me at times.   This season of wrestling with God has been a deep sense of asking questions (not challenging) but wanting to understand why He has allowed certain things to happen over the past 2 and half years for me the way he has.  This has been a deep season of grief for me.  My loved ones have passed away, I have lost friendships, I have lost coworkers, again just a deep sense of loss.    I am reminded of the time Jacob wrestled with God and he would not let go until he blessed him.  A scripture that is coming to life for me right now is Genesis 32:28 (MSG) “The man said, “But no longer. Your name is no longer Jacob. From now on it’s Israel (God-Wrestler); you’ve wrestled with God and you’ve come through.” We are allowed to wrestle with God.  I believe after my experience he wants  us to wrestle with him.  Think about it, when we wrestle we are closer than we have ever been with God.  Jacob received a new name after his wrestle because he would forever be changed by the experience.  I, myself have been changed through this experience.  I am not meant to be the same person I was when I entered the wrestle.  This wrestle was meant to be, so that I could be made a new person as God brings me into the next level of purpose in my life.    The blessing from wrestling with God? My faith before was nothing  compared to where I am today.  I worship differently, I read the word differently, I see the world very differently today.  I thought I knew who God was before my wrestle, but I had no idea.  Today I know  God, because I have been with  God.  God does not leave us through our struggles and doubts and fears, no my friend, he is right there waiting for you to wrestle with him so he can show you who he truly is.  The one that leaves us with a limp to remember the wrestle and stay humble and never to forget that God was there the whole time and would not give up on you even when you might have been ready to give up on him.   As I write this I wonder if God is illuminating some others to me as I reflect on this season I am rising out of.  Each of you have bared witness to this journey for me and I am eternally thankful that you are my witnesses.  So, I leave you with a challenge: What are you wrestling with God about right now?  Are you wrestling with God about anything?  If not, why not?   #LoveAlways Laura Dahl

Anyone that knows me, knows that music is my thing.  I can recite lyrics from well over 3 decades ago, yet I cannot remember why I walked into the kitchen this morning…LOL.  I basically have a soundtrack playing to my life at all times.  I will hear lyrics and music while people are talking to me, I am not sure if it is healthy to be honest, but it can be funny at times.   I turned my music life over to the Lord about 12 years ago, I do have to say this was a struggle for me.  I loved mainstream music, not for the lyrics, but mainly for the beats.  They were so compelling.  I had a friend share with me that of course the world’s music would be so compelling and hard to lay down; Satan was in charge of worship when he was an angel in heaven and he was beautiful.  Why would his music here on earth be any different? (mind-blown)   Today, I cannot stand most mainstream music, it irritates my soul for the most part.  I can say this is only because I have been abiding in Christian music for now over a decade.  I have learned there are many different genres to contemporary Christian music as well that can help appease my many styles of worship.  I listen to the usual artists you will hear on 95.1 Bright FM, however I now know of Christian rappers and those artists like Maverick City that full on worship and linger in the Holy Spirit.    When I was asked what is the song within my heart, my mind had so many come forward, however I had to go back to a full on basic.  One that I have known since I was a child coming up in the Baptist Church.  One that lives in a hymnal.  One that Jesus sowed into my heart as a child and began having me sing in 2019, randomly, out loud, in my house, constantly.  “Oh, how I love Jesus”   This song is so simple and yet so deep and rich in meaning but it is a constant reminder of truly how much I am loved by Jesus.  This song keeps me grounded and my heart focused on the one who is Love, Jesus.  I pray you listen and be reminded of how loved you  are by Jesus as well.     Oh, How I love Jesus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8fKX3xZaMM

I want to do well for the Lord, or is that my people pleasing, or seeking approval or accolades from others.  It feels really good to hear, great job and so on and so forth.  But what if that is getting us out of balance, and tired or weary or worn down and irritable? I believe the key to all of this is being content.  It is good to strive to do more and be better.  But we also need to learn to be content with where we are in life and all God has given to us and taken from us (that one is hard to swallow at times).  Many times, we pray for things and then, when we get them, we forget to be thankful and take it all in because we are busy looking for the next thing.  Let’s be real, this world has really helped this along the way, Facebook is a great example.  The spirit of comparison really steals our ability to be content and soak in all the goodness in every situation. Paul wrote about this in Philippians 4:11-13. So how are you walking out your life?  Are you living it in balance?  Are you content in every situation?  Join me in praying for balance and contentment in our lives.  Thanking the Lord for all He has done and continues to do in our lives knowing we can trust Him with everything, even when it does not make sense.  That is where the Lord is…when we do not have balance and contentment we are not connected to our Heavenly Father and that is what causes the tired and weariness. #LoveAlways Laura Dahl