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Dana Rongione 14/10/2024 Dana Rongione 14/10/2024

Martha, My Hero

Let me tell you something that might shock you: Martha is one of my Biblical heroes. I know—you're probably thinking, "Has she lost her marbles? Martha? The one Jesus gently rebuked?" But hear me out because Martha and I are like two peas in a very stressed-out pod. You see, I'm a recovering perfectionist. I'm the girl who color-codes her sock drawer and alphabetizes her spice rack. (Don't judge me; organization is next to godliness, right? No? Well, it should be!) Like Martha, I love the Lord with all my heart, but boy, oh boy, do I get distracted. It's like my brain is a puppy in a room full of squirrels—always chasing after the next worry or task.

I've walked a mile in Martha's sandals, and let me tell you, it's not a comfortable stroll. I've let my to-do list become my taskmaster, pushing my time with God to the bottom of the heap. And just like Martha, I've learned the hard way that putting chores before the Lord is a recipe for spiritual indigestion.

Dana Rongione 10/10/2024 Dana Rongione 10/10/2024

Finding Joy in the Midst of Weariness

Serving God is meant to be a joy, a source of fulfillment and purpose. But let's be real—sometimes it feels about as joyful as a root canal without anesthesia. We give and give, pouring ourselves out for others until we're as empty as a chocolate box after Valentine's Day. There comes a point when we can't give anymore. We're tired, weary, and worn out, and it's all we can do to keep putting one foot in front of the other without tripping over our own exhaustion.

I've been there myself more times than I care to admit. As a missionary and an author, I'm constantly juggling the demands of ministry, family, and my own physical limitations. There are days when I feel like I'm barely keeping my head above water, and the thought of giving any more of myself seems as impossible as teaching my dog to do my taxes.

Dana Rongione 07/10/2024 Dana Rongione 07/10/2024

Rekindling Our Zeal

Have you ever stopped to think about the word "enthusiasm"? It's a word we use often to describe our passion or excitement for something, but did you know that its etymology has a fascinating link to the divine? The word "enthusiasm" comes from the Greek "enthousiasmos" (ἐνθουσιασμός), which can be broken down into two parts: "en" (ἐν) meaning "in" or "within," and "theos" (θεός) meaning "god." In ancient Greek, "enthousiasmos" referred to a state of divine inspiration or possession by a god.

Isn't it fascinating how language evolves? While the original concept of "enthusiasm" was related to being filled with or inspired by a divine presence, the meaning has evolved over time to describe intense excitement or zeal for any cause or interest. But as Christians, I believe we should reclaim the original meaning of enthusiasm and apply it to our relationship with God.

Dana Rongione 03/10/2024 Dana Rongione 03/10/2024

Beauty From Ashes

A few days ago, I shared with you a devotion about fireweed and how it can remind us of the fleeting nature of life. Today, I'd like to share another encouraging thought the Lord showed me through this remarkable plant.

You see, fireweed isn't just known for its brief but beautiful life cycle. It's also famous for its uncanny ability to thrive in the most unlikely places. Where forest fires have ravaged the land, mudslides have torn through hillsides, or human activity has left scars on the earth, fireweed is often the first to appear, painting the landscape with its cheerful purple hues.

As I gazed at the fireweed, I couldn't help but marvel at God's intricate design. He created a plant that not only survives in damaged areas but flourishes there. It's as if the Lord looked at the devastation and said, "Watch what I can do with this."

Dana Rongione 30/09/2024 Dana Rongione 30/09/2024

Fleeting Beauty, Lasting Impact

Have you ever heard of the fireweed plant? If you've ever spent time in the great outdoors of Wales, you've likely come across this beautiful and unique plant. The fireweed is a tall, slender plant that can grow up to 8 feet tall. Its leaves are long and narrow, and its stems are covered in fine, downy hair. But the most striking feature of the fireweed is its flowers. They are a brilliant shade of pink and bloom in clusters at the top of the plant.

During the summer, the fireweed is in full bloom, and it's a sight to behold. The vibrant pink flowers stand out against the lush green of the surrounding foliage, creating a stunning display of color. But as the summer comes to an end, the fireweed begins to change.

Dana Rongione 26/09/2024 Dana Rongione 26/09/2024

The Odd Flower Out

I was out in the garden the other day, hanging up some laundry and enjoying the sun's warmth on my face, when I noticed something unusual. A single daisy-like flower bloomed tall and steady in the middle of one of my backyard bushes. I had seen it before—last year, in fact—and it had struck me as odd then, too. It seemed so out of place, protruding from the bush all alone in its uniqueness.

As I stood there, admiring the flower, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with it. Indeed, we've all had moments where we've felt like the proverbial square peg trying to fit into a round hole. We've all experienced that sense of not quite belonging, even among those we consider to be our closest friends and family. It's a feeling of isolation, being different, and standing out like a sore thumb.

Dana Rongione 23/09/2024 Dana Rongione 23/09/2024

Mindfulness in Christian Living

This morning, Jason decided to treat us to homemade scones for breakfast. It was a lovely gesture, to be sure, but one that didn't quite go according to plan.

You see, our oven is a bit of a peculiar beast. It's got two knobs: one for temperature and another for the various oven controls. You can turn up the temperature without turning on the oven or turn on the oven without adjusting the temperature. We typically leave the temperature set and only fiddle with the control knob, as we're creatures of habit when it comes to baking temperatures.

Jason went about his merry way, mixing the ingredients and shaping the scones with the precision of a master baker. He popped them in the oven, set the timer, and waited for the magic to happen. But when the timer went off, he opened the oven door to find... raw dough. The scones looked exactly as they had when he'd put them in!

Dana Rongione 19/09/2024 Dana Rongione 19/09/2024

When Good Intentions Go Awry

Over the weekend, Jason and I embarked on what we thought would be a simple organizing project. Our grand plan involved rearranging furniture and purchasing a new large bookcase to house many of our abundant ministry materials, currently relegated to the attic. Oh, how naive we were!

Day one started with enthusiasm, but by nightfall, I found myself utterly exhausted. My body, ever the temperamental sort, decided to remind me of its limitations. The next day was spent in recovery mode, my joints protesting every movement as if I'd run a marathon instead of simply shifting a few items about.

To add insult to injury, the ordered bookcase failed to arrive on schedule. As I write this, our house resembles a labyrinth of totes and stacks of materials. Every room has become a temporary storage unit, and navigating from one space to another feels like participating in an obstacle course.

Dana Rongione 16/09/2024 Dana Rongione 16/09/2024

Swing Low, Sweet Slug

As the summer weather continues, I find myself spending more and more time outside on my swing. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the fresh air, soak up some rare Welsh sunshine, and spend time with my furry companion, Tess. I love to use this time to read my Bible, pray, or do some writing. It's my little slice of heaven here on earth.

But recently, my peaceful swing time was interrupted in a most unexpected way. As I sat there, enjoying the gentle rocking motion and the sound of birds chirping, something fell from above and landed in my lap. To my horror, I discovered it was a ginormous slug! Evidently, the slimy creature had crawled up to the top of the swing and either lost its grip or deliberately decided to pay me a visit.

Dana Rongione 12/09/2024 Dana Rongione 12/09/2024

Beyond the Mirror

The other day, my husband Jason came into the bedroom where I was working on my latest book. I immediately noticed a long smear of grease on his face. When I pointed it out, he chuckled and told me he had been working on a project in the kitchen and had gotten a bit dirty.

A few hours later, while I was writing in my office, he left with Tess to take her for a walk and run a few errands in town. When they returned, he walked through the door to my office, and I couldn’t help but smile. He still had the long streak of grease running down his face, and he had walked all around town that way!

The situation reminded me of the passage in James about looking in a mirror, seeing our flaws, and then walking away without doing anything about them. The mirror in James represents the Word of God.

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Dana Rongione