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

On my educational journey I will never forget the first book that I cracked open as I began down the path that God had laid before me.  The first words that I read was a quote: “There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and you. Most people will never read the first four.” Let me tell you, that quote has stuck with me.  When I reflect on what it means to be a witness this quote is it for me.  Every day of my life people are watching me, knowing that I am a Christian.  It is important to remember that many people will come to know Jesus simply by how you walk out your life. I want to be a witness that draws people closer to God.  To know the true love that fills me and spills out into this world. So, I guess simply, your witness is your walk.  That right there is it.  You do not have to have any special words or scripture to share, just basically shining the light of Jesus into every step you take in this world.  It sounds simple, but really that is the most profound witnessing tool I think we carry. Be authentic. #LoveAlways Laura Dahl

The definition of Posture: the position in which you hold your body while standing, sitting or lying down. Spiritual posture is how you carry yourself in heavenly places.  When you have bad physical posture, you feel it in your body.  You look down, you carry yourself in a way that was never meant to be carried.  Spiritually this could be you not walking in your purpose, it could be not walking in your authority, it could be not connecting with God because you are not focused spiritually on Him and the heavenly things above.   This brings spiritual pain into our lives, we feel depressed, defeated, disconnected, fear, anxiety, using things to try to escape from the world, and feeling not worthy or not good enough. The world will talk about this in the term of energy.  The energy or vibe you have.  When someone that has a heavy spirit, or one that is not properly postured in the spiritual realm you will feel it when they enter the room or you enter a conversation with them.  Many times, it will feel like you are stuck in the mud with them. There is a choice that comes in this world.  Life is not easy and can knock you down, but what will you do with it?  How will you properly align your spirit and posture to be one of receiving the Holy Spirit verses getting stuck in the mud of this world.  When we are stuck in the mud, that is when our mind begins to play tricks on us and it is “the foot in the door” for Satan to have a playground.  We must purposely posture ourselves daily before the Lord to take up our cross and walk with a spiritual posture of authority no matter what the world tries to throw at us to knock us down (Matthew 16:24).  Jesus is there alongside us and ready to catch us. How do you properly posture yourself spiritually? ·        be in constant conversation with God (prayer) (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) ·        reading His word daily (the Bible) to renew our minds (Romans 12:2) ·        being sensitive to the Holy Spirit and obedient in the Spirits promptings (Isaiah 61:1). This is when we will have eyes to see and ears to hear (Proverbs 20:12).  A whole new world will be unlocked, a world of true freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17), full of fierce and fiery love (John 13:34), and an abundant life (John 10:10). So, daughter, lift your head up, straighten your back, set your shoulders back, set your eyes on the things God has for you.  And smile because God has got you and we can walk in confidence because of whose we are, the daughter of the One True King… (say it with me) Jesus! #LoveAlways Laura Dahl

As I was driving this morning there was a heavy fog present.  There were times that I could not see more than 10 feet in front of me. I found myself slowing down and a bit of panic set in.  This is when I heard the Lord say to me, slow and steady, I am with you. As the drive continued and the sun came out, the fog began to burn off. The Lord was showing me that as the sun comes up and gets brighter it clears the sight and path for clear vision again, removing the fog. The same can be said for His Son. As Jesus, His Son, comes into our life and begins to burn brighter in our lives he makes a way that is clear and safe for us. I know for me, this was such a powerful word and the timing was perfect.  I have been walking through a season where I can only see one step in front of me and have been walking by faith with God by my side.  The fog is beginning to clear and the path is able to be seen in front of me, brighter, clearer than ever before. I pray this is speaking to someone reading this right now. Maybe you are in a place that seems foggy and you cannot see where God is taking you right now.  Know that He is with you and guiding you, but you have to slow down to navigate the fog safely and to stay with Him each step of the way. Lord, thank you for your patience with us.  Your ways are so much higher than ours. Your plans are for us to prosper and have a future. Lord help us to be sensitive to your spirit and obedient to your promptings as you guide us along both in the fogginess and the sonshine. Amen #LoveAlways Laura Dahl

Matthew 21:22 (ESV) And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith Didn’t I pray hard enough? Did I not use the right words? Don’t you hear the cries of your daughter? Is my faith not deep enough? The many questions that plagued me when I suddenly lost my only brother and only 15 days after my father went onto glory. I thought you are a good father… Have you prayed for something so much, that it became your hearts passion and yearning?  That was prayer for my brother, the prodigal son.  When you pray expectant and waiting to shout from the mountain top, “Look what my God did!!!” But what about the prayers of my brother?  In this journey God has opened my eyes and strengthened my faith in ways I could never imagine. Perspective and authenticity are key. Lifting our eyes and crying out authentically to God in our grief, there is no reason to lie to him, he already knows our hearts.  He knew I was questioning why he allowed these events to unfold. If we are talking to him then we are drawing closer. God help me understand.  I wanted God to share the good that he knew was coming from this indescribable pain of these losses.  This would bring me comfort and peace through it all.  I still want to shout from the mountain top, “Look what my God did!!!” He tells us in his word that he works all things for good for those that love him.    With each day, digging deeper into His word and seeking to understand his ways that are higher than ours, He began to pull the curtain back allowing me to see his hand in every single moment.  He will do this for you too! I can sit here today and tell you that God heard the cries of his children in the situation with my brother.  My prayer was in direct opposition of my brothers.  My brother cried out to God to take him, that he was tired, he couldn’t do life in this world anymore.  My brother had been crying this for years to God.  God took my brother swift, and on His terms.  That is our good and great father.  He heard my cries too and knew that in the long run this would deepen my faith because my feet were anchored into his truths and I knew his character.  It would also send me on my next level of commissioning. Lean into God and His word in times of struggle.  It is ok to wrestle with our faith, that is when we truly get to see who this good and great God is that we serve, He will take you by the hand through it all and walk with you pointing out to you all of the unseen moments and treasures that may have been missed along the way. Heavenly Father, I thank you that I can trust you in every situation.  I know that you see the big picture and as long as I stay focused on and connected to you that you will continue to direct my path even when I doubt myself and at times you.  Help me to have the eyes to see you in every circumstance.  Thank you for being able to handle my humanness, to see through to the inner most parts of my heart and know that I still love you through it all. Amen. #LoveAlways Laura Dahl