Living the Grace Life

Are you longing for a gentle, thoughtful start to your year? These two reflection questions for a grace-filled year offer space to breathe, and to notice and invite God into what’s truly life-giving. January doesn’t magically erase December’s grief, stress, or exhaustion—but it does offer a quiet invitation to pause, reflect, and listen for what your soul needs as you enter a new season.

In this episode, I share how I’ve learned to appreciate January not as a month of pressure and hustle, but as a tender reset where God meets us in the quiet. Inspired by Emily P. Freeman’s reminder that “reflection is a lifestyle, not a one-time event,” I walk through two simple yet deeply grounding questions that help uncover what God is teaching, restoring, and nurturing in us.

1️⃣ What was life-giving?

I share honestly from my own reflections—like the ways ignoring food sensitivities and trying to manage other people’s emotions drained life from me this past year. And I talk about the gentle, grace-filled practices that breathed life back in: breath prayers, worship songs, and choosing a word of the year.

These questions aren’t about performance or perfection. They are an invitation into grace, awareness, and partnering with God as He leads you forward.

Why January can feel hard—and how God meets us there

Why reflection isn’t about being “late” or “behind”

How these two simple questions can reshape your spiritual and emotional health

Real-life examples of draining patterns and life-giving rhythms

Encouragement to move into the year with compassion, clarity, and grace

Whether you’re grieving, hopeful, exhausted, or somewhere in between, you’re not behind. You’re right on time. And God is with you—inviting you to notice, breathe, and step forward in grace with Him.

🎶So Much Grace by Jonathan David & Melissa Helser

🎶Roses by Andrew Ripp

Ep. 21 A Word of the Year to Transform Your 2025 | Jennifer Sakata

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us

Have you ever been surprised by God—truly caught off guard by His kindness, His timing, or the quiet ways He’s been pursuing your heart? In this final week of our Advent series with author Cynthia Ruchti and her devotional The Spirit of Christmas, we bring the journey full circle as we explore what it means to live in a continual awakening to the Spirit.

Many of us move through December longing for wonder, craving peace, or carrying the weight of a year that felt heavier than expected. This closing conversation invites you to pay attention to the sacred surprises tucked into your everyday life—those moments when the Holy Spirit whispers hope, guidance, and grace right when you need it most.

Christmas Day may come and go, but the Holy Spirit stays. He continues the work Jesus began—forming in us a generous spirit, awakening grace within us, and guiding us into deeper belonging with God.

So listen in, lean close, and join us in an awakening to the Spirit of Christmas in this culmination to our Advent journey.

 "Our gratitude rings loud and strong for You, Holy Spirit, as we move forward in Your power to bless others as You have blessed us. May we never lose sight of where You are, where You're working, and how near You've chosen to remain with us. Amen." -Cynthia Ruchti

Consider the Holy Spirit as One who gives, provides, enables, comforts, infuses, and fills throughout our Advent longings. Choose one of these actions that reflects the Holy Spirit to bring joy to someone this week.

🎄Cynthia's The Roles of the Holy Spirit downloadable

🎶 Cynthia's go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans

Website: cynthiaruchti.com

Ep. 66 Grieving with the Spirit of Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

Christmas isn’t all romance movies or bright paper packages tied up with string. For many, December ushers in the reality of a baby in the NICU, a dying loved one, an empty chair at the table, or a pending divorce—leaving people crushed and brokenhearted. Grief has a way of rising to the surface during the holidays, even when we don’t invite it.

What if, instead of trying to push past these deep pools of pain, we learned to make sacred space for them? What if grieving with the Spirit of Christmas looks like entrusting our sorrow to the Holy Spirit—the Comforter who meets us where we are?

It's the third week of Advent, and we are back with Cynthia Ruchti, Author of the Advent devotional, The Spirit of Christmas.

In this tender and hope-filled episode, we explore:

If you’re aching or hurting this Christmas, there is grace for that—real, sustaining grace through the Holy Spirit. Listen in and be reminded that the Spirit brings what Jesus came to bring: God’s generosity, His nearness, and His unending grace upon grace.

 " Spirit of God, thank you for not leaving Mary or us alone. As we carry out the assignments and the adventures, and even the griefs into which you have invited us, soften our hearts to be eager with our yes to you. And to lean into the comfort that you have provided. Amen." -Cynthia Ruchti

"The Holy Spirit is Emmanuel who never leaves us." -Cynthia Ruchti. What difference does this truth make in your grieving?

🎄Cynthia's The Roles of the Holy Spirit downloadable

🎶 Cynthia's go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans

Website: cynthiaruchti.com

Ep. 65 Pausing with the Spirit of Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

What if pausing in the Spirit became part of your preparation this Christmas? What might shift in your heart if you slowed your pace, lingered a little longer, and allowed the Holy Spirit to meet you in the quiet? Advent invites us not just to keep moving toward Christmas, but to make space—to breathe, to notice, to reflect on what God is doing right here.

In week two of our Advent series, Cynthia Ruchti guides us into a deeper understanding of the Hebrew word Selah—a word woven through Scripture that means to stop, to weigh what you’ve heard, and to let its truth settle in your spirit. Together, we explore what it looks like to step aside from the rush and give room for the Spirit’s gentle work.

In our brief and meaningful conversation, we talk about:

It’s never too late to release the habits that have pulled you away from the Holy Spirit. Join us and take one small step toward a renewed awareness of the Spirit of Christmas.

 "Spirit of God, open our eyes wider. Open our hearts broader. Open our spirits to the work of Your Spirit so that we don't miss the wonder in this wonderful season. Amen."

Where is the Holy Spirit in the room--or in your space--right now? What difference does that make in what comes next?

🎄Cynthia's The Roles of the Holy Spirit downloadable

🎶 Cynthia's go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans

Website: cynthiaruchti.com

Ep. 64 Living with a Yes Heart at Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

Living with a "Yes Heart” doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means being willing to trust the Holy Spirit when the path isn’t clear.

In week one of our Advent series, Cynthia Ruchti shares how choosing yes in the uncertain places opens us to God’s presence in profound and personal ways.

In our brief conversation, we discuss:

If you’re longing to live more surrendered, more responsive, and more open to what the Spirit may be doing around you this Christmas, this episode will encourage and gently challenge you.

Join us and discover the impact of living with a yes heart as you make room for The Spirit of Christmas.

Oh, prepare our hearts, Lord, to receive You, to know You, to not neglect You in this season of expectation. Amen.

"If I say yes, will my answer be motivated by a sense of obligation to other people or by love for the Lord and obedience to His Word and will?"

🎄Cynthia's The Roles of the Holy Spirit downloadable

🎶 Cynthia's go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans

Website: cynthiaruchti.com

Ep. 63 Discovering the Spirit of Christmas | Cynthia Ruchti

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

Who’s your favorite character in the Christmas story? Mary or Joseph? The shepherds? The wise men? Maybe even Linus from A Charlie Brown Christmas?

This Advent, discover a character you may have missed—the gentle, steady movement of the Holy Spirit, woven through every scene of Jesus’ birth.

In this episode, I’m joined by Cynthia Ruchti, author of the Advent devotional The Spirit of Christmas. Cynthia set out on a Scripture-wide adventure, asking, Where has the Holy Spirit been throughout the Old and New Testaments? What she found surprised her: the Holy Spirit is everywhere—quietly, faithfully present.

From her devotional, Cynthia writes:

"When we think of the first Christmas, we often focus on the wide-eyed young mother and her faithful fiance, on tattered shepherds and singing angels and road-weary wise men. But the Holy Spirit was there--and just as He hovered over the waters in the beginning, He hovers over every page of the Christmas Story. 

In our conversation, we explore:

If your Christmas tends to feel more chaotic than calm, this episode is your invitation to slow down and go on a treasure hunt for the Spirit of Christmas. This Advent, “open your eyes to the not-so-hidden presence of the Holy Spirit” and let His staying Presence keep you present.

“The Holy Spirit is Emmanuel who never leaves.”

"There's so much dark this time of year, in us and around us. And that's exactly the reason why our paying attention to where the Holy Spirit is in this story is what's going to make a difference as we lead up to Christmas."

"If the Holy Spirit stayed for Mary, then won't He stay for us too?"

2 Corinthians 13:14 "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

🎄Cynthia's The Roles of the Holy Spirit downloadable

🎶 Cynthia's go-to grace song: Worthy of It All by CeCe Winans

Website: cynthiaruchti.com

Ep. 14 Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Make Room for the Quieter Voices of Christmas

The statistics on pornography are staggering—some report that one in five people view it weekly—leaving behind a hidden heartache that few are willing to talk about. For Jody Allen, author of Hidden Heartache: Finding Courage When Your Husband Struggles with Pornography, that heartache became a deeply personal reality.

In this conversation, Jody shares how she walked through shock, anger, and grief when her husband’s secret came to light—and how God met her in the middle of the mess.

We talk about:

Instead of staying silent, Jody chose to speak up so that other women would know they’re not the only ones facing this hidden battle.

Her story is raw and redemptive, showing that grace is strong enough for even the most broken stories—and that Jesus, the true Problem Solver, can bring beauty from betrayal.

Jody is an author, speaker, and women's ministry leader who isn't afraid to talk about hard realities.

“While we need to acknowledge our feelings, we can't let them be the drivers of how we manage our lives.”

"Forgiveness is not fair."

"I had to put my focus in the right place. Instead of on the problem, I had to focus on the Problem Solver. Jesus is the Problem Solver."

Ezekiel 36:26 "And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart."

Luke 8:43-48 (The Story of the Bleeding Woman)

🌿Jody Allen's Book: Hidden Heartache: Finding Courage When Your Husband Struggles with Pornography

Website: jodyallenwrites.com

Ep. 36 Don't Hoard Your Healing | Nancy Manassero

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us

Why is it often harder to show grace to those closest to us than to strangers in the grocery store? Why can it feel easier to welcome other people’s kids than our own? And what does it look like to give grace when you don’t feel like giving it?

Walking in grace can feel slow—as my guest said, "like downloading software years ago"—but it’s worth every step. Grace deepens when we take the time to walk in other people’s shoes.

In today’s conversation, Neil Matthews, host of the Other People’s Shoes podcast, shares how choosing to step into another’s story changes our perspective and practice of grace. Together, we explore what it means to say “yes” to those simple moments turned sacred—when we sit with another person right where they are.

We talk about:

When walking in grace feels hard, it may be time to remove your own shoes and choose to walk in another’s.

“There were times I'd want to give up. But then, there was that little nudge again.”

"Right now, in this moment, I have to remember that ______ is hurting too."

"Maybe God has put _______ in your path to remind _______ that grace is possible, that His love is possible."

🌿Dear Carter and Adia podcast episode

Website: opspodcast.com

Ep. 36 Don't Hoard Your Healing | Nancy Manassero

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us

What is the worst thing you don't think you could survive? In this deeply tender and vulnerable conversation, licensed therapist, speaker, and author Kimberly Haar shares her story of grace, forgiveness, and healing after surviving violence and a life-altering tragedy, drawing from her book Healing from Life’s Deepest Hurts.

After enduring unimaginable loss, Kim learned to dance again with the Creator of the Universe as God’s grace met her with open arms. She shares her journey from traumatic assault and kidnapping to the sacred dance of surrender and trust while meeting God under a pergola. With honesty and raw hope, we explore how God's grace meets us in our deepest pain and gently leads us toward restoration, purpose, and joy.

In this episode, we talk about: 

If you’ve ever wondered how to find grace after tragedy, this conversation is a powerful reminder that God meets you right where you are—and restores beauty from brokenness.

"With God, no story is too shattered to be rewritten, and no life too broken to be beautifully restored." Kimberly Haar

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of traumatic assault, and deep loss. Please listen with care.

“Jesus never asks us to do something he hasn't modeled first.”

"When God picks up the pieces, He restores better than it ever was to begin with."

"God doesn't have any favorites. He doesn't have any stepchildren or foster children. We all have His love, and He says to all of us: You are my favorite."

Zephaniah 3:17 "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a Mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

The Story of Naomi in the Book of Ruth

Psalm 34:18 "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

🌿Kimberly Haar's Book: Healing From Life's Deepest Hurts

Website: kimberlyhaar.com

Ep. 36 Don't Hoard Your Healing | Nancy Manassero

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us

Have you ever been chased by grace or marked by love? In this powerful episode, Chased by Grace, Marked by Love, Crystal Mayo shares how a burn while pulling a pizza from the oven left her with a heart-shaped scar—one that became a tangible reminder of God’s relentless love. From that moment on, she began noticing hearts everywhere—on leaves, in strawberries, even in the clouds—as if grace itself was chasing her down.

Years earlier, Crystal had survived a massive stroke at just 38 years old, an experience that began reshaping how she understood identity, purpose, and God’s presence in suffering.

Before her stroke, Crystal found her identity in achievement—planning events, serving tirelessly, and striving to get everything right. Though she knew God’s love in her head, she often found her worth in ministry performance rather than intimacy with the Master Himself. Her stroke brought all of that to a halt and began a new journey: one from working for God to walking with Him.

In our conversation, we chat about:

If you’ve ever struggled with your identity, battled burnout, or wondered who you are beyond what you do, this episode will remind you of the relentless love that chases you down and marks you as His.

“I heard four words. He said, 'I will restore you.' Those four words became a lifeline.”

“Through the pain and the scars I will be with you."

“In our hard moments, there is Jesus. We can cling to the hem of his garment. We can choose to be like I was and hold it all in or we can reach out to Him.”

Luke 8:43-48 (The woman with the bleeding issue)

🌿 Stroke Awareness with Free Download

Website: crystalhmayo.com

Ep. 25 Divine Detour and Deepened Faith | Lori Ann Wood

🎁 My FREE gift to you: Prayers That Change Us