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Make Monday Matter


I Wasn’t Praying for Patience. I Know Better!
I wasn't praying for patience. I know better! But when I asked God for wisdom about what to write this week, patience was the lesson that kept coming to mind—and it started with a memorable Walmart parking lot experience.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
7 days ago2 min read


When You Can’t Ignore the Nudge
I said no to speaking to a women’s group, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it. A year later, I changed my no to a yes and saw God in the details.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Oct 13 min read


Lean Into Your Village
A sleepless week, a tired volleyball player and an SOS prayer request reminded me that we don't have to carry the hard things alone. Sometimes we need to lean into our village and let others pray.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Sep 253 min read


You Can Do Hard Things: Research, Practice, Repeat
A candy wrapper, volleyball, running and Moses all came together in something I’ve been thinking about: we see the fruit in someone else’s life, but we don’t always see the work behind it.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Sep 183 min read


Be Strong and Courageous
My daughter was nervous before her first volleyball game, so I gave her a verse. The next day, she discovered that same verse on a teammate’s prayer card. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Sep 133 min read


When God Puts a Bucket on Your Head
My friend Emmy runs every day, no matter the Minnesota weather. When deer flies became a problem, a local farmer had an unusual solution: a bucket on her head. What happened next got me thinking about the work God puts in front of us.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Sep 42 min read


An A for Effort
Some days seem determined to go wrong from the moment you get out of bed. This was one of those days, and it gave me plenty of opportunities to practice peace.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Aug 203 min read


Give Me All the Sunshine and Chaos
A busy, chaotic summer full of good things, and a reminder to trust God with the next step instead of worrying about the whole path.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Aug 132 min read


Summer → Teeth → Wisdom → Solomon
A summer full of dental appointments led me to think about Solomon, wisdom, and what it means to actually live out what we learn from God's Word.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Aug 73 min read


The Proposal We Never Saw
What started as a family trip to Itasca State Park turned into our own little mystery. We spent the afternoon trying to figure out someone else's story, only to be reminded that some endings aren't ours to know.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jul 302 min read


What Makes You Feel Most Alive?
A Sunday morning at an unfamiliar church led to a familiar Bible passage and one question I can't stop thinking about: What are you doing when you feel most alive? Here's what God reminded me about purpose, gifts, and Ephesians 2:10.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jul 243 min read


The First Pages of My New Journal: Why Reading the Bible Every Day Matters
As I started a new journal, I looked back through the Bible verses I'd collected over the past year. One theme kept appearing: stay in God's Word. Here are five reasons reading the Bible every day matters.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jul 93 min read


A Week That Didn't Go to Plan
A rainy week, a surprise reminder to drink more water, kids' sports, camper life, and plans that kept changing. Sometimes the week you didn't expect still gives you plenty to be thankful for.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jul 22 min read


When It Rains, It Pours
A lunch with a lifelong friend almost didn't happen thanks to work, kids, and a summer downpour. Looking back, I realized God had been writing this friendship story from the very beginning—and it reminded me of David and Jonathan and the gift of godly friendships.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jun 263 min read


Does God Have Favorites? What the Bible Says God Delights In
We've been talking about favorites a lot at our house lately, from favorite colors to favorite numbers. It got me wondering: Does God have favorites? The answer surprised me. While God doesn't have favorite people, the Bible does show us what delights His heart.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jun 182 min read


You Never Know the Difference Your Story Will Make
A woman shared a story she'd been telling for decades. Days later, my daughter was still retelling it. It reminded me of Paul, who never stopped sharing how Jesus changed his life—and why our stories matter more than we think.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jun 113 min read


What I'm Learning from Handwriting Leviticus
I wasn’t excited to start Leviticus. But as I slow down and handwrite it, I’m seeing something different—detail, purpose, and a God who pays attention to everything.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Jun 42 min read


God Cared About the Fern Too
I thought I missed my chance to buy the fern I wanted at Costco…until an unexpected orthodontist appointment changed my plans. A reminder that God is working through even the smallest interruptions in our days.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
May 272 min read


What My 9-Year-Old Taught Me About Prayer
A lost necklace charm, a worried 9-year-old, and repeated prayers from the backseat reminded me what childlike faith really looks like. Sometimes kids trust God more naturally than adults do.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
May 222 min read


I’m Handwriting the Entire Bible (And It’s Changing How I Read It)
I recently learned that people still handwrite the entire Bible—and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Here’s why I decided to start, what I’m learning already, and why you might want to try it too.
Joni Lynn Schwartz
Apr 113 min read
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