Winter Evening Reads

January 30, 2019January 30, 2019 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 4 Comments

Oh, wintertide. I try to love you. I really do. My heart bravely endures the 1.7 days of southern snow and sleet each year, and I semi-cheerfully add a layer of long sleeves to battle the onslaught of below-fifty-degree air.

The struggle is real. I mean, I’m a southern gal for a reason. In fact, could we pause for a minute of sincere silence for the joys of flip-flops, shorts, and sitting on the front porch until 9pm?

Thanks. I just, um, needed a moment.

There is a bright spot in these long winter evenings. We can stoke the fire and curl up with a good book, article, or blogpost. So, while we wait for the much-beloved early signs of spring, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, light a candle or throw a log on the fire, and grab your favorite blanket. Check out a few favorites I’ve enjoyed these past weeks. Happy reading! Continue reading →

Gentle Rain or a Hailstorm?

March 1, 2018 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

I gave the last of three kisses goodnight to the sweet objects of my exhaustion and shuffled down the hallway toward freedom. My evening plans centered on a bowl of popcorn and a few hours of mindless television.

The day had been a whirlwind of errands, mounds of laundry, sibling squabbles, and endless cleaning. This mama was clocking out.

As I slipped into my end-of-day sweatpants and t-shirt, my gaze fell on my Bible and devotional journal. With a groan, I surrendered to the stab of guilt and settled in for a few minutes of “quality” quiet time.

(Click to continue)

I’m thankful for the opportunity to write an article for the Just 18 Summers parenting website. Hop on over to Just18Summers.com to read more!

Have a blessed week!

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann

To a Quiet Place

August 29, 2017 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 4 Comments

…He said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest” (Mark 6:31).

It’s that time of year—a time to step away from regular responsibilities and to seek rest and renewal. Heart Undivided will take a brief hiatus, but I look forward to returning in a few weeks with new perspective and fresh creativity.

In the meantime, I invite you to hang around and explore Heart Undivided and then to hop over to intheQuiver.com for fresh and insightful articles on parenting, home arts, recipes, devotionals, and more! Continue reading →

Whatcha Thinkin’ About?

September 7, 2016 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

finally brothers

Father God, I pray that my thought-life will belong to You. Help me to never settle for simply thinking good thoughts. May I daily immerse myself in Your Word so that my inmost self is molded and shaped by the power of Your Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father, for the life of obedience, strength, and joy that results from pursuing Your heart and mind. I love You, Jesus.

Praying that you have a Phil. 4:8 week!

Joyfully,

Leigh Ann 🙂

Give a Shout!

January 20, 2016February 11, 2016 / Leigh Ann Thomas / Leave a comment

We all have them—days we don’t feel like praising God. Maybe we’re exhausted and can’t even find the words to offer the feeblest prayer.

Maybe we’re convinced that God could never use us, because honestly…why would He?

The song, “Shout to the Lord” has led millions in worship to our Lord. But guess what? It wasn’t penned during a mountain-top experience. The words filled the heart of a young mother as she struggled to maintain peace in an upside-down life. Continue reading →

Diet Dr. Pepper and The Holy Spirit

February 19, 2015 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 1 Comment

I don’t go very long without a diet soft drink in my hand. When I feel the need for something to drink, nothing gets in my way until my thirst is quenched (Yay, DDP!).

In the same way, sometimes my soul feels so dry, and I long to drink in the soothing, soul-quenching grace of the Holy Spirit. The need becomes so strong that I drop what I’m doing and slip away to a private place—the bedroom, the bathroom, or the back porch.

When I go to my Father, I am never disappointed. He reveals to me my innermost self. He shows me the burdens that I thought I had laid at His feet, but which I later took back upon myself. He reminds me of the needs of others, that perhaps I had promised to pray for, but didn’t.

He listens as I confess what He already knew.

He restores my soul.

One of my favorite verses is, For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose (Phil. 2:13). This scripture is full of such excitement and promise! When I have a longing to pray, it’s not because of anything I’ve done. . .but because my Creator is moving in me.

What an awesome thought! It never ceases to amaze me that God actually takes the time to notice insignificant me and to draw me closer to Him. What’s even more amazing is that in His eyes, I’m not insignificant at all. In fact, even when the whole world may be against me, my Lord thinks I’m pretty special.

Wow, what a Savior!

Father, thank you for the gift and the privilege of prayer. Thank you for placing within my heart a longing to know You. And thank you for satisfying the thirst of my soul.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

(Adapted from Time Out: A Quiet-time Devotional)

The Quiet Place

May 16, 2014May 16, 2014 / Leigh Ann Thomas / 2 Comments

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

I have the most beautiful place set aside for my daily quiet time. A small nook, alcove, right off the kitchen. Morning sunlight filters in and dances across bare floors. Surrounding windows provide a picturesque view of my tiny flower garden as well as ferns spilling from hanging baskets. An inviting place – lovely really.

I was headed there today when a most important matter caught my attention. Kitchen was a mess and something had to be done. “Don’t worry,” I said to Quiet Place, “I’ll be right there. This is really most urgent.”

With Kitchen momentarily appeased, I eagerly padded toward Quiet Place. “Wait,” I said, “I would be a much better steward of my time if I made a quick visit with Laundry. Then I would be accomplishing a chore while enjoying my time with Devotions.” Good thinking. Brilliant, actually.

Word, Pen, and Journal whispered softly from their special spot in the quiet place. “What about us? We’re waiting, you know.”

“I’m very aware of that. One more minute please.”

And so it went.

Laundry notified Vacuuming, Sweeping and Dusting. Children began their day and needed my attention. Quiet Place watched – quietly. Pen and Journal went silent. They had been here before. They were accustomed to neglect. Word, however, continued to beckon. “I’m still here, don’t forget…”

“I haven’t forgotten,” I stammered with some irritation. “Just a few more minutes, please. These matters really are most urgent.”

Telephone agreed. So did Bills, Groceries, and Yard Work. Even Church Work weighed in and became quite demanding. Fatigue and Anxiousness rang the back doorbell. Are you kidding me? Can someone else answer that?

In frustration I looked to my old friend for help. But Quiet Place wasn’t in his usual spot. Confused, I searched for him, missing him more each moment. I checked with Living Room where Children were entertaining Television and Video Games.

No Quiet Place.

I ran to Bedroom and shouted at Stereo. “Silence please! I’m looking for Quiet Place!”

Meanwhile, Fatigue and Anxiousness had recruited reinforcements. Discontentment and Irritability slipped in uninvited and made themselves at home.

I have the most beautiful place set aside for my quiet time. It’s lovely, really…

Father, please forgive me for not being still before You.Convict me to come to You in quiet and with a humble heart, that I may truly worship You in Spirit and in Truth.

No matter the season of life, there will always be something to distract us from being still and quiet before our Lord. What hurdles do you face as you seek those quiet moments?