Intentional + Simplified Living Archives

Living Life with a Rare Disease | A Look Back on the Last Year

A lot can happen in a year, and seemingly nothing at all.

It has been nearly one year since my MRI revealed tumor growth post-chemotherapy treatment.

While I’ve been open about my journey throughout the years, I haven’t shared much publicly since that day. No concrete path upon which to tread has left me needing some space to process each component of this ever-evolving story.

Today, I’m offering a glimpse behind the scenes into what life with a Desmoid tumor has held this year.

Finding God's Provision, Hope in the Unexpected, Intentional + Simplified Living, The Practice of Reflection, Trusting in God

by MaryBeth Eiler

Transformation in the Journey | Truly Guest Post

I’m honored to have my article “Transformation in the Journey” included on the Truly blog. The post emphasizes a core message I’ve uncovered through multiple avenues and that is the truth that “God cares more about your heart than what you’ve achieved.” Enjoy a preview in this post!

Intentional + Simplified Living, Publications, Trusting in God

by MaryBeth Eiler

Loving Others Well Through Simple Acts Of Generosity | Truly Guest Post

I’m honored to have my article “Loving Others Well Through Simple Acts of Generosity” included on the Truly blog. It was written for anyone who has ever felt too busy or overwhelmed to commit to loving others. Enjoy a preview in this post!

Intentional + Simplified Living, Publications, Trusting in God

by MaryBeth Eiler

The Power of Naming Our Fears

We can’t deal with what we won’t acknowledge.

We aren’t meant to stuff our fears. We aren’t meant to pretend they don’t exist. We can welcome our fears as a way to uncover a deeper truth about ourselves. Fear doesn’t have to be the enemy. Naming our fear can help lead us out of the valleys we encounter and into the light.

Encountering Grace, Hope in the Unexpected, Intentional + Simplified Living

by MaryBeth Eiler

The Power of Being Still as You Walk Toward Healing

“How often are you still?”

The question caught me off guard. “I’m still all the time,” I answered. “When I’m reading, spending time in the Word. I’ve started to sit and listen to music while I work on a paint by number. I’m actually still more than I realized!”

“No, I mean truly still. Doing absolutely nothing. When do you allow your mind and body to be still?”

After a lengthy pause, “Oh, never.”

After that conversation, it didn’t require much energy to uncover just how much effort I unintentionally put into evading stillness. It became apparent that I struggle to do nothing, to simply be. But I couldn’t really pinpoint why.

As someone who believed they were incorporating the practice of stillness into their life, I started to pay attention to why I had unintentionally started avoiding it.

As I began to take note of the lack of stillness in my life, I discovered I had been confusing stillness with rest.

Hope in the Unexpected, Intentional + Simplified Living

by MaryBeth Eiler

Learning to Wait When Our Longings Linger

Purple crocuses pop against the backdrop of the dormant blades of grass—a sign that spring is on its way. Layers begin to shed as buds form on trees, and tulip and daffodil leaves miraculously sprout through the once hardened earth. Hope is palpable as new life slowly begins to surface and spring makes her debut.

The new life reminds us that nothing lasts forever. Seasons change. And the wait is always worth it in the end.

In life, winter seasons linger longer than we’d like when our longings go unmet. We fail to find hope as we grow weary and restless in seasons of waiting, but in the wait—no matter how long it stretches on—we can find the strength to endure knowing that God does not abandon us.

Finding God's Provision, Hope in the Unexpected, Intentional + Simplified Living, Trusting in God

by MaryBeth Eiler