Ann – Page 15

God Doesn’t Care How Big Your Platform Is: An Article for RELEVANT Magazine

October 22, 2015 by Ann Leave a Comment

Most of my life, I’ve felt a tug toward greatness.

You know–that feeling that burns deep and can push us wide? Deep because we know that we were created to do important, meaningful, gorgeous things in the world. Wide because we look around us at all that we aren’t doing and see people who seem great in our eyes—people who carry great influence, great ideas, great power.

And that feeling in us, that yearning for greatness, can sometimes make us feel very small. Small because we lack great influence. Small because we lack world-changing ideas. Small because we lack great power. I don’t have a million followers, a best-selling book, a corporate position or a lot of money. I’m guessing you might not, either.

But we look at others who do, and it’s easy to feel like we should be doing something bigger and greater and more important with our lives. Sometimes, we might even find ourselves thinking: “What if I’ve missed it?” “What if I’m never great in the way I long to be?”

Those are the moments when I find myself trying to push my way into greatness. I think that if I can work harder, think more deeply or just be better—then, perhaps, greatness will fall upon me like a cape. If I just keep driving my way forward, maybe I can make this thing—this elusive greatness—happen.

But I can’t. It never works out that way…

Read the rest of the article here, at RELEVANT!

Filed Under: God, Guest Post, Life, Ministry Tagged With: Ann Swindell, Big love for God, Christian platform, Christianity, famous, how do I grow my platform, how to grow a Christian platform, I want to be famous, Jesus, love for God, my soul is tired, platform, Relevant Magazine

Marriage Shouldn’t End Your Dating Life: An Article for RELEVANT Magazine

October 16, 2015 by Ann 1 Comment

This is my newest article for RELEVANT. Read the entirety of the article here!

Dating—in person, online or blind—is prized in our culture, and most of us think of dating to be an important part of any meaningful, romantic relationship. Whether casual or glamorous, expensive or on a budget, we intuitively know that dating is a central way to get to know someone, win his or her heart and build a romance.

So why wouldn’t dating continue to be important after marriage?

Marriage is meant to be an earthly picture of Christ and the Church, a relationship that points to the love and affection between Jesus and His people. But if a husband and wife hardly spend time together, it’s difficult for that love and affection to grow.

Dating your spouse doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult, but to maintain—and grow—a healthy marriage, consistently dating your partner is important to do.

Dating your spouse doesn’t have to be expensive, but to grow a healthy marriage, dating your partner is important. Share on X

Here are some of the reasons we all need to continue to date our spouses after we say our vows at the altar:

Time Is a Valuable Gift

Making time to date one another in a season of life that is very busy (and shows no signs of slowing down any time soon) is a powerful gift you can offer your spouse. Time is a precious commodity to any of us, and when we willingly spend that time with one another, we are saying “You are worth my time.” And because our lives are made up of just that—time—we are saying, in essence, “You are worth my life.”

We Invest in What We Value

If you’re like me and you’re not rolling in money, the components of getting a date with your spouse can seem too costly sometimes—paying for a date (and a sitter, if you have kids) can start to add up.

Yet, we invest in what we value: we do this all of the time with our food choices, our clothing purchases, our donations. It doesn’t mean we have to spend loads of money to date, but we do have to invest in growing our marriages as a couple—and it will cost us money, as many things of value often do.

When We Short-Change Our Spouses, We Short-Change the Family

Even if the family is just the two of you right now, if you ignore the need that your spouse has for intentional, invested time together, you’re hurting the family dynamics. The cracks may not start to show for a while, but the foundation of intimacy and friendship will weaken if you’re not building in to your relationship as husband and wife.

Once we have kids, I think it’s just as important—if not more so—to keep dating one another. As a mom, I want my daughter to have everything she needs (and more). But more than many other things, children want to know that their parents are in love and that they enjoy one another. this brings peace and stability to a home.

Children want to know that their parents are in love and that they enjoy one another. #marriage Share on X

Having a consistent date night won’t guarantee a healthy marriage, but it provides intentional space to grow together as a couple.

Read the rest of the article here, at RELEVANT Magazine!

Filed Under: Dating Your Spouse, Life, Marriage, Parenting Tagged With: Christian dates, Christian marriage, date night ideas, date your spouse, dating after having kids, dating in marriage, dating your spouse, healthy marriage, how to have a healthy marriage, marriage and parenting, parents dating

The Scars We Carry: Women as Warriors

October 14, 2015 by Ann 25 Comments

I shuffled into the locker room at our local gym a few days ago, searching for an open locker to dump my bags in before heading upstairs to a treadmill. There’s no shortage of women changing in the locker room, and as I found a pod of lockers that were mostly unused, I walked past an older woman who was bending over to change. Without intending to, I saw down her shirt. And what I saw surprised me.

She was missing her right breast. Even at a glance, I could see the scar; there was a shell of padding filling that side of her bra. And I knew, in half of a second, that this woman had undergone breast cancer and had needed a mastectomy to remove cancerous tissue. My grandmother underwent a mastectomy; I remember hearing her talk about her expensive bra that was filled on one side with padding rather than her own flesh.

And in that locker room, I realized that this woman changing next to me had walked through the pain and the fear of cancer. She had needed her flesh cut off and sewn up. She had been delivered news that brought nothing but hardship and had been given a diagnosis that could have ended in death. And she had not only survived, but she was here at the gym, using her miraculous body that lived through that cancer to swim and move and work.

This courageous, strong, wrinkled woman next to me was a warrior.

She had lived. She had won. And nobody else knew that under that padded bra was a woman with more fortitude than fear.

Before I left the locker room, another woman stood in front of the mirror and began blow-drying her hair. She was wearing a bra, but no shirt, and underwear, but no pants. Unselfconsciously, she stood and dried her hair as other women walked in and out. And I noticed a long, thin scar on her lower abdomen. I know that scar; I bear one myself. My daughter was pulled through that cut in my stomach when she would not come out otherwise. Whether this woman with the blow dryer had one child or many pulled out of her, I do not know. But she will carry that scar forever.

This confident, mighty, toned woman next to me was a warrior.

She was a mother. She had birthed life, made room in herself for another. And nobody else knew that under her shirt was a woman who, like all mothers, has made sacrifices too numerous to count.

I sat down on a bench, suddenly overwhelmed by the power and beauty of the women around me. These were survivors I was walking among—saints, heroes, lovers. Women who share in this sisterhood of scar-bearing.

We all bear scars. Mine is 6 inches across, snow white, a thin line of remembrance an inch below my hip bone. But I have others, scars less visable. Scars where pain has been seared over by love, or by time, or by prayer.

Several days a week, I stand in that locker room and don’t think about the other women around me. I see them peripherally, changing their clothes and doing their hair. They probably see me in the same way. But here, in this locker room, I had been given a glimpse of the scars that each of us carry. Whether from breast cancer or c-sections, whether from broken hearts or anxious minds—we bear the scars of being women, and of living in a shattered world. Most of us can hide them under bras and shirts and acceptable words. But we are, all of us, warriors.

Those who have survived. Those who are living. Those who are mothers, sisters, wives, and friends.

Those scars do not define us. They have marked us, yes. But they can remind us that we have more fortitude than fear, and that we can make room in our bodies and our hearts for life to be birthed. In fact, we can be proud of our scars: being a scar-bearer points us to the truth that scars can be signs of life—even of love.

Filed Under: Friendship, God, Uncategorized Tagged With: being a mom, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, breast cancer awareness month, Christian and breast cancer, Jesus, Jesus and women, motherhood, pink, scar-bearer, scars, the cost of motherhood, warrior, women

Flowers, Thistles, and Thorns: Meeting Jesus in Places of Pain

September 28, 2015 by Ann Leave a Comment

I was at an upscale grocery store recently, admiring the tubs full of flowers, when I noticed a bouquet full of lilies, and carnations, and thistles.

Thistles?

Yes, thistles. Prickly, spiky, gray, and full of thorns. It wasn’t a mistake; I checked. Every bouquet in that bucket had a handful of thistles nudged between the flowers and greenery. And they actually looked–dare I say it?–rather lovely. Those thistles didn’t look soft, and they certainly didn’t look inviting. But they grounded the rest of the flowers with their solemnity and honesty. The thistles, prickly as they were, added an unexpected beauty to the bouquet as a whole.

And I was reminded: this is the good news of the Gospel.

Stay with me.

All of us have thistles in our lives–those painful, thorny parts of our story that we’d rather do without. The broken relationships, the physical aches, the experiences that we wish we could erase. None of our lives are all flowers and sunshine. We have gray places, dark places, things that still feel like they can prick us if we touch them with our memories.

But–here again is that great, surprising news of the Gospel–even the thorns and thistles in our lives can prove themselves beautiful if they point us to Jesus and lead us into more intimacy with him. I think of the Apostle Paul who writes so honestly about begging the Lord to take away his “thorn in the flesh”–that unnamed pain that the Lord never healed–and hearing Christ tell him that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

Those things that make life so challenging–those thorns and thistles–what if we asked God to help us see those places as gateways to his heart? As open doors for his power in our weakness? As opportunities for grace to be abundant? What if we saw the thorns and thistles as part of the bouquet of our lives–not things that make us ugly and undesirable, but as parts of our story that ground us in Christ’s goodness and in the unexpected beauty of a redeemed life?

Those things that make life so challenging--what if we asked God to help us see those places as gateways to his heart? Share on X

Because Jesus, perfect as he was, didn’t get past the difficult parts of life, either. In fact, he knows the pain of thorns more fully than any of us do: the thorns lodged in his skin as a mocking crown when he paid for our brokenness and sin on the cross.

In the midst of our own pains and hurts, let us rest our gaze on the One who wore the crown of thorns for us. Let us, as the old hymn says, “turn our eyes upon Jesus,” and see that he can make even the prickliest, difficult aspects of our lives into gateways of hope and redemption as he meets us in our pain. That’s the promise of life with Jesus–not ease, but intimacy; not painlessness, but purpose; not comfort, but camaraderie with Him.

Jesus makes even the prickliest, difficult aspects of our lives into gateways of hope and redemption as he meets us in our pain. Share on X

Yes, that’s good news of thistles in bouquets: the joy of Jesus making even the hard parts of our story lovely in their own way–unexpectedly beautiful–as he redeems them by his grace.

Filed Under: About, God, Life Tagged With: Christian life, Christianity and thistles, faith, good news, Jesus crown of thorns, life as a Christian, life as a Christian woman, life hurts, the crown of thorns, the good news of the Gospel, thistles, what are thistles, where is God in my pain, where is Jesus in my pain, why does life hurt so much

Clothes, Coffee, and Cloth. Or, Starting Over with Stitch Fix: How I Got My Best Fix Ever

September 27, 2015 by Ann 2 Comments

I don’t write much about clothes; in this space, I share a lot about my life and what God is doing in it, about what he’s doing in the world, about how I encounter him in unexpected moments. Occasionally, I’ll highlight a company I believe in who is doing amazing things in the world: Hand & Cloth and Sweet Aroma Coffee are two of my favorites (if you haven’t heard of these organizations, do yourself and the world a favor and hop over to their websites to read about their meaningful missions).

Here’s the truth: the most important thing we should put on every day is love. Still, the other truth is that we all have to wear clothes (at least in public!), and Stitch Fix can be a great option. If you haven’t heard about it, head to the bottom of this post to read about it.*

While I’ve tried Stitch Fix several times, I just recently got a box of clothes where everything worked for me. I’d gotten a few boxes that had been hit or miss; this time, my stylist nailed it. Here’s what I did differently:

I overhauled my Style Profile, and I got ruthless with it. I cut out any color and fabric and style I really didn’t like and stopped trying to leave too many options open for my stylist. I’m up for trying new things–the scarf in this Fix was just that for me–but I also don’t want to be wearing orange.
The Analisse Anorak Jacket: a cargo jacket in a color I love. Win!
I started a Pinterest page solely for my stylist and gave her the link. High maintenance? Maybe. But if I’m going to spend money on a stylist/clothes, I want her to have as much information as she can on my style and what I’m looking for. I pinned 20 images of styles and items that I wanted to try, and pointed out specific ones that I really wanted in my notes.
The Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater
and Evergreen Dream Multi-Bead Necklace from 31 Bits
I told my stylist exactly what I was looking for. In the past, I had mentioned that I loved cardigans. But I got cardigans that were too short or too thin. This time, I told my stylist that I wanted something to cover my rear…and guess what I got? Yep, a long-ish cardigan. Also, I knew I wanted a 31 Bits necklace (another great company!) in bright colors and asked for one. That’s what I got. Our stylists aren’t therapists or best friends. They can’t read our minds. If you really want a total surprise, don’t fill out the notes section. But if you actually need a new pair of high-waisted skinny jeans, don’t just say that you need jeans. Tell your stylist that you need high-waisted skinny jeans. Just like I can’t expect my husband to read my mind, I can’t expect my stylist to read my mind, either. Communicating with a Stitch Fix stylist is just like communicating with anyone: be honest, be clear, be kind. And know that she has her own limitations, too; she can’t get you everything you want. As with Stitch Fix, so with life: you can’t always get what you want.
The Colton Marled Knit Cardigan and
Timber Vintage Plaid Infinity Scarf

*Here’s how Stitch Fix works: you order a “Fix” (a box of clothes) based on a style profile you fill out about yourself–colors, sizes, styles, patterns, lifestyle. A stylist picks five items for you (from sweaters to scarves to earrings to skirts to jeans), which are sent to you in the mail. The five items are a surprise! You try on clothes at home with the wardrobe you actually have, keep what you love, and send the rest back in a pre-paid envelope. It’s remarkably simple.

Why I like Stitch Fix in this season of life:

1. I’m not in a season where I can spend much money on clothes, and I can set my price point with Stitch Fix. Also, if I buy all 5 items in the box, there’s a 25% discount on everything.

2. I don’t have to leave the house. Three words: Toddler. Time. Winter.

3. I can get a “Fix” as often or as rarely as I want. I don’t get mine regularly (although many people do); usually, I request a box when I have an event coming up where I need a specific item (a dress for a wedding, for example).

4. The cost is a $20 styling fee, which goes toward any item you purchase.

5. Stitch Fix works for women in almost any season of life. From teenagers to retirees, they’ve got clothes for women in many stages, sizes (even maternity!), and professions.

If you want to try Stitch Fix, please click this link and I will get a referral credit. And let me know how it works out for you!

Filed Under: Life, Motherhood Tagged With: Analisse Anorak Jacket, Best Fix Ever, Cargo Jacket, Colton Marled Knit Cardigan, Elbow Patch Sweater, Fierro Elbow Patch Crew Neck Sweater, Getting Your Best Fix, Hand and Cloth, Knit Cardigan, Pixley Cargo Jacket, Plaid scarf, put on love, Starting over with Stitch Fix, Stitch Fix, Stitch Fix Cardigan, Stitch Fix review, Sweet Aroma Coffee, Timber Vintage Plaid Infinity Scarf

You are Seen, Known, and Loved: Preparing for the Influence Conference

September 16, 2015 by Ann Leave a Comment

Tomorrow, I’m leaving for The Influence Conference, a gathering of some of my favorite ladies all in one place. These are women whose hearts long for Jesus, whose minds are whip-smart, whose hands are creative, whose lives overflow with love. We’re all broken and wounded; we’re all walking our own roads with the Lord. But these women inspire me in their desire to make much of Jesus with whatever it is they’ve been given on this earth.

I’ve realized, though, with all of the buzz that starts humming before a conference, how easy it is to look to an event–a weekend, a conference, a worship service–to excite us or bring us hope. How easy it is to bind up our emotions in something–anything–that’s different from our normal, everyday lives.

This isn’t all bad; I think the Lord knows and understands the beauty of events like this, where we have the chance to connect with other believers who we don’t usually see, where we have the opportunity to be completely focused on him and others without the daily stressors of life. Events, especially spiritual events, are wonderful. But they’re not at the core of the Christian life. For many of our brothers and sisters around the world, they will never have the luxury of attending a conference or even a weekly worship service.

It’s humbling to think about.

And yet, it can also point me to the majesty and beauty of these everyday lives that we are living. Because what’s available to all of us, anywhere in the world, is the presence, salvation, and love of Christ.

The Loving God of the universe sees you and knows you--you have attention from the King of Kings. Share on X

Really, it doesn’t actually matter if we’re at an incredible conference or not. It doesn’t matter if you’re working all weekend or if you’re feeling lonely on the couch. It doesn’t matter if your life is thrilling or mundane. All that matters is that the Loving God of the universe sees you and knows you–and you have attention from the King of Kings. You’re not going to miss out on His absolute best for you if you’re walking in step with him, whether you’re worshiping at a conference, finishing the laundry, or completing an assignment. You’ve got the most famous person in the world with His eyes locked on you–and those eyes are full of love.

You've got the most famous person in the world with His eyes locked on you--and those eyes are full of love. Share on X

Yes, Jesus loves you. It’s a children’s song and it’s also the deepest truth in the universe: you are loved by Him and he died to save your life from sin and rose again to secure your eternal life with him. That is holiness and majesty in the middle of our everyday lives. That is the best news in the world.

So if you’re feeling left out this week–from a conference, from an experience, from a relationship, from a job, remember that God is with you and for you, right where you are. Breathe that in, and then live it out. You are loved.

Filed Under: God, Life Tagged With: am I loved by God, does God see me, God sees you, how do I know God loves me, Influence Conference, Influence Network, Jesus loves me, you are loved by God, you are seen by God