Ree Boado - Author

Surrender.

I had nothing to bring to the Lord this morning but my worn out soul, anxious about the future and tired from striving in my own strength to make life work.

I wondered, do I even know what it’s like to live by the Spirit? Do any of us really? How often do we catch ourselves going through the motions of Christianity, or following our feelings and calling that the voice of God, while His Word sits right next to us, dusty and unopened.

And then I remember this human condition we’ve all suffered from since the beginning of time.

Sin.

The word that causes many to bristle for various reasons. The word that many churches don’t like to mention these days. And yet it’s the only word that truly makes sense of why we do the very things we don’t want to do. The war within. The battle we lose, again and again, in small and big ways. From inner, hateful thoughts to hidden addictions, we all carry something that keeps us trapped inside—unaware of the presence of God who is nearer than we know. Always waiting to step in with His Spirit and become the guiding force of our lives.

But this doesn’t come without surrender.

And the truest place of surrender is laying down our stubborn belief that surely we can figure things out on our own—without God. The original sin we commit all day long in silent, subtle ways.

Oh God, I turn away from my obstinance and self-determination, from trying to overcome my weaknesses and fears in my own strength. I acknowledge I cannot fight this inner battle on my own. I return to you again. Out of hiding, out of self-reliance, and into your loving arms. Teach me your ways, Lord, and lead me through this life on your terms, with your wisdom.

Amen.

Christmas is a reminder that God chose nearness. Jesus did not come to observe our brokenness from afar—He entered it, carrying our wounds, our vices, and the damage left by the vices of others.

I’ve spent years trying to understand my own fractures, believing clarity would bring healing. And while self-examination has its place, it can quietly pull our attention away from the One who heals us in the first place.

Jesus remains our true center—Emmanuel, God with us. The restorer of all things. The One who invites us into communion, not perfection.

As we undergo this slow and sacred transformation of the heart, may we receive His grace, surrender even the darkest corners, and trust Him with every part of our story.

Merry Christmas, friends—from my family to yours. 🎄🩷

Kids and husband are napping while I’m reflecting on Mother’s Day. I am so thankful to have two children to hold in my arms, to care for and to learn from. But I also remember past Mother’s Days where grief was heavy and I wondered if I’d ever get the experience of being a mother. We often don’t get to choose how life plays out. I could have never guessed I would finally get pregnant at 40, then lose my daughter Wynter shortly after birth. Such joy and such sorrow. Now I have Annika & Daisy that God has blessed me with and yet mothering is still a mixed bag, as is adoption. I didn’t know how much old childhood trauma would revisit me and how much age related hormonal changes could present such a challenge for me showing up as the mother I’d always hoped to be.

Mothering is a tough job. Rewarding and heart warming, absolutely, but also one of the hardest relationships I’ve ever embarked upon. I am growing, stretching , surrendering, crying out for help and learning more self compassion (and compassion for all mothers). A relationship this close is one of the most beautiful experiences. And like most beautiful experiences, there are steep hills and low valleys to tread through in order to get to the mountaintop moments.

I am exhausted many days, yet I am here for it. I don’t take it for granted. I am imperfect and short tempered more than I’d like to be, but I am a master at repairing and openly speaking of our need for God’s grace. Hopefully that makes up for my flaws!

I will always honor and miss my first daughter Wynter who made me a mommy, but I am so very thankful for God’s blessing in my life through my living daughters.

And for all of you out there feeling sorrow on this holiday, I pray you get a sense of being God’s precious daughter. He loves you like you’re his only child in the whole wide world and he is the perfect parent we can look to. 🩷