The Grit and Grace Project, INC

The one thing most people fear more than death? Public speaking. There’s something about standing in front of another person (or multiple people) and sharing our thoughts, ideas, and feedback that makes us want to shrink until we evaporate. But sometimes, neglecting to speak up for yourself can have harmful repercussions. Here to help you see past your fear this week is Darlene Brock and Julie Bender, who get to work excavating the possible reasons why speaking up is so terrifying. Maybe you’ve often been ignored, or never taken seriously, or you feel you’ll come across as foolish (hello, imposter syndrome!). No matter the reason, one thing is for certain: there will be a void left by what you’re?not?saying. Darlene and Julie discuss the myriad benefits of speaking up for yourself: setting critical boundaries; encouraging others; making life-changing connections; and more. When we choose to say what’s on our hearts and minds, even when it’s hard or we doubt ourselves, we’re affording those around us not only with new information to chew on, but a reminder of our presence and impact. https://lnkd.in/dTrYyjDw

You’ve dreamt of wearing a billowy white dress and floating down the aisle to your prince charming since you were 5. Fast forward several years, and the man you love is doing everything but committing to making that dream a reality. Maybe you’ve been dating for years and are losing hope that a proposal will ever come, or you are engaged, but his promise of marriage feels empty and conversations around setting a date have stalled out. What do you do? Listen to our new podcast episode?? In this episode of Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender talk about the current cultural view of marriage and the difficulties you may face in broaching your situation with an eye for the truth. If there hasn’t been any movement forward with your boyfriend/fiance, Darlene and Julie provide a series of questions to ask yourself that will help you honestly assess the quality of your relationship and determine whether or not he’s comfortable in staying uncommitted. You’ll then learn how to confidently approach him with your concerns and make a decision on how you want to move forward, based on his response. This has been one of the most-searched subject on the Grit and Grace Life website for years, so we have plenty of wise advice in this episode—and resources below—to help you make a decision on your future when your partner is dragging his feet.

Has it been a while since you heard from God? Does it feel like ages since you’ve seen his goodness or felt the Holy Spirit stirring? Distance from God is one of the most frustrating things we can experience as women of faith. We wonder where he’s gone and why he would ignore the children he loves. The uncomfortable truth? The onus may be on us—and if it’s not us, it’s God trying to help us grow in our faith. Yes, even in the ‘silence’! ??In this podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender reveal the ways we may be holding back the lines of communication with God and how we can draw close to him in spite of feeling distant. You’ll also learn how God may be trying to stretch you in your faith so you can grow in wisdom. Your relationship with God will ebb and flow, just like any other relationship. And like those relationships, you keep them strong by repeatedly showing up. God will show up too—in his timing. https://lnkd.in/eqkuv-2R

Shoot straight with us for a minute: Did you set any goals at the start of this year? If you answered ‘no,’ we’re right there with you. After all, weren’t we all just trying to get settled back in after the holidays? Now that we?are?settled in, it’s the perfect time to revisit any changes you may have wanted to make this year. In this podcast episode of?Smart Living with Grit and Grace, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share five priorities that would benefit from having structure backed by a goal: home, health, habits & happiness, heart and holiness. Darlene and Julie unpack myriad ways to simplify your life and inject small changes that will reinvigorate your home, health, and relationships. Many of these tips are small and simple enough to put into practice today, so you can change your life without skipping a beat. https://lnkd.in/e9pbyE_a

Do you wish you had someone who could guide you through life? An experienced person who willingly shares their wisdom and insight to help you navigate every crossroads you approach? If so, we’re happy to say we know just what you’re looking for: a mentor. The Mr. Miyagi to your Karate Kid! In this Smart Living with Grit and Grace podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share the value in mentorship, how to actually find a mentor, and which areas of mentorship you might want to consider. Whether you’re looking for someone to divulge their tips, tricks, and secrets to confidence in motherhood, having a rock-solid marriage, or working your dream job, a mentor is the best place to start. They’ll ideally be experienced in a subject-specific area and have your best interests in mind. Just keep in mind that mentorship comes with equal doses of advice and constructive criticism. Make sure you’re ready for feedback of any kind—while it may be a hard pill to swallow in the moment, it’ll help you grow in the direction you want to be! https://lnkd.in/eP8sJgxN

Strong women rely on the support and influence of other strong people in their lives. Here's why you need a mentor and how to be one, too. Get inspired here. ???? https://lnkd.in/eSQzFYDj #mentor #beamentor #findamentor #gritandgrace #gritandgracelife

If you’ve been putting it off, consider this podcast episode as a sign to clean up your clutter! As we get swept up in the busyness of life, we inadvertently let things accumulate. We outgrow our clothes or forget the items we’ve once loved and the gifts we’ve been given. Over time, we stash these items away to make room for new stuff we need or want. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Sadly, no. These items tend to pile up, consuming space in our homes and in the back of our minds. If you’re ready to free up that space and finally tackle that pile in the corner that’s been haunting you for months, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender can advise on where and how to start. In this episode, they talk through how you can define ‘clutter’ and share a series of questions designed to help you determine whether you should truly hold onto something or toss it. They also dish on some cleaning perks that will keep you motivated. If you still need a little extra push, consider Darlene’s clutter-cleaning mantra: “I live in a home, not a storage unit.” https://lnkd.in/ebqvWsrg #gritandgrace #gritandgracelife #smartlivingwithgritandgrace #declutter #newpodcastepisode

Is your life in flux? You may be attempting to solve everything on your own, just like this writer did, but God may have another plan. Read today’s featured article at Grit and Grace Life ???? https://lnkd.in/eyqAWAXK #gritandgrace #gritandgracelife

Finding others who understand what we are facing is priceless and often hard to find. But God can bring that person into our lives. They may already be there and we don’t realize it, or life circumstances create a connection we never expected. There is a story in the Bible about two women whose lives were intertwined, even more so after a visit from the angel Gabriel: Elizabeth and Mary. Their relationship paints a picture of the beauty that comes when God places another in our lives to rely on. When we first met Elizabeth, she was no longer a young woman. She was unable to bear children and was well past the years when she could even hope. The heartbreak, disappointment, and eventual acceptance had already resided in her heart. Then appeared Gabriel. https://lnkd.in/e8fJs6J9

In this season of “tidings of great joy,” what if joy doesn’t come easily to you? As women of faith, there’s an unspoken expectation that we should live in a constant state of joy, that it should be the lens with which we view our lives and circumstances. Although the Bible states we aren’t of the world, we are still in it, which means our perception of joy is often colored by the world’s ideals—namely, success, status and money. But there’s more to real joy. In this Smart Living podcast episode, Darlene Brock and Julie Bender share how we can cultivate the joy we should have access to as women of faith, which looks like: Spending time with family and in community Spending time in scripture Doing what bring you joy instead of the things you believe you should be doing Giving money, time, or support Surrounding ourselves with color Moving our bodies And if you’re still struggling to reach a place of true joy, Darlene and Julie underscore the importance of getting honest with God and telling him how you feel. If there’s anything or anyone that can help you rediscover joy at Christmas (and all year long), it’s him!