I recently heard of someone who allegedly lost her battle with depression. As someone who struggles with anxiety and depression myself, this breaks my heart. No one should ever feel that ending their life is the last resort, the only way to ease the pain. 

Please never assume you know someone’s story. That person who looks like they have it all together, has great success, or puts out a happy persona on social media may be battling this ugly beast.

We need to break the stigma of mental illness. It affects more people around you than you may realize, and it’s not something to be taken lightly. It’s a real struggle for so many. It makes you feel hopeless, helpless, lonely, fatigued and so disconnected from reality. It’s a heavy burden and one that no one should walk alone.

If you know someone or suspect someone is battling depression, REACH OUT, pray for them, let them know you care. Even if you don’t empathize, let them know you sympathize. Give them a hug and look them in the eyes and speak life, love, hope and truth into their heart. Let them know their worth. Let them know they are LOVED. Encourage them to seek help. I can’t tell you how valuable it has been for me to go to counseling and be authentic with those around me. It has lifted a huge weight off of my shoulders and has helped me gain clarity and feel better! Healing is possible when the right steps are taken and when those suffering know they have a circle of people rooting for them—not just once but CONSISTENTLY.

If someone you know has been brave about opening up to you about their struggle, please don’t let it fall on deaf ears. It takes so much COURAGE to do that and oftentimes it’s a plea for help. I know what it’s like feeling like it’s fallen on deaf ears and it’s not a good feeling. Be the ONE who steps in and pours out that love. Let us RALLY around those we know who are walking through depression. Let us press into the Lord and walk in authentic community, fighting the good fight and telling Satan he has NO power. May we walk in the truth that God can meet us where we are and bring life to the broken places in our hearts.

For those of you suffering, you’re not alone. Seek help. Don’t give up. You are loved, you are worthy, and you are cherished. Tell yourself this everyday. Serve others and look for the good in everyday. It’s there. I believe you will find yourself again. It’s not easy, but go through it and you’ll be stronger for it. Let us take strides for better mental health, for breaking the stigma, and for coming together to be the change! 

Taking Strides,

Marla Shrader

'Tis the Season for a New Family Tradition

I’m such a sucker for Christmas traditions! I think there’s something so special about the memories created year after year with the ones you love. My husband and I have been married five years now and we have a two and a half year old daughter. Our family is still young and we are in this special phase of life where we are establishing what our fun and thoughtful family traditions will be for the holidays for the years to come.

Of course, we knew we had to include a fun outing to get a fresh tree and spend time snuggled up watching The Santa Claus movies during the weeks leading up to Christmas. Listening to Christmas music daily is a must and visiting Santa on the local square has become a must-do as well.

But in the midst of all of this fun we have always talked about how we want our daughter to grow up knowing the true meaning of Christmas. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle, the decorating, the gifts and everything in between. So often during childhood there is such a large emphasis on Santa and presents that the true meaning of Christmas becomes an after thought. It truly is such a fun, joyous and magical time of year. Yet, in the midst of all of this fun, we understand that we, as parents, have a big responsibility to shepherd our daughter toward Christ. This time of year is a wonderful way to show her how to enjoy the worldliness of Christmas without forgetting the powerful truth of this season.

We believe Christ and Santa can co-exist in a Christian household during Christmas. We just think it’s vital that the emphasis is on Christ and his birth. We fully believe the foundation of a child’s faith is built at home and, therefore, it's up to us to be as intentional as we can be.

So, once we decided we wanted to try and begin some new traditions that focused a little more on Christ, I got to work finding ideas that would be a perfect fit for our little family. As I searched for different ideas for new traditions to make our own, one stood out to me! I know there will be more we will add through the years but the winner for this year is the Jesse Tree. My sister first mentioned it to me and I instantly went and Googled what it was. If you’ve never heard of a Jesse Tree, you’re not alone! I can honestly say I had no clue what this tree was about and wondered how I went 30 years never hearing of it but it’s actually such a great idea and our daughter, Avery, has been loving it!!

So, first things first! Let me tell you what a Jesse Tree is all about and then I'll tell you why we are loving this new tradition. 

What is a Jesse Tree?

A Jesse tree is a tradition that dates back to medieval times. These trees are used to help us tell the story of the Bible from creation leading up until the birth of Christ. It's a wonderful way to connect the tradition of decorating Christmas trees to the events leading to the birth of our Savior, Jesus. The name comes from Jesse, the Father of King David. We also see the name in scripture in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot shall come out of the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.” 

Each day during advent, you get to adorn your tree with illustrated ornaments that each represent different events, prophesies and people in the Bible leading up to Christmas. It's a fun and simple way to begin sharing God's goodness and faithfulness to our little ones. And what kid doesn't love hearing stories and helping decorate a tree?!

Why We Love It:

There are three main reasons we loved the idea of making the Jesse tree the newest Shrader Christmas family tradition:

1. It's a time for all of us to come together for quality time and share in God's word daily during the Advent season.
2. Our daughter gets to be involved in the entire process. She loves that she has a tree that's all her own that she gets to decorate herself. 
3. And of course, the most important part--we have a chance to fix our eyes on the true meaning of Christmas and walk through God's faithfulness together and help build that foundation for our daughter.

What You'll Need: 

(This isn't sponsored, I'm just sharing things I love!)

TYPE OF TREE: The beauty of the Jesse Tree is that there are many ways to create one. Some are felt and others are made with real ornaments to hang on a tree. Our ornaments are real, wooden pieces so we got a 3 foot, artificial, pre-lit tree! I did this on purpose to have something sturdy but also fun and festive for our little one. She gets a tree all to herself to decorate and it's a great way to show that the tradition of adorning a Christmas tree and learning about Christ's birth can all coincide! My little one had a blast rolling around Target trying to help me find the perfect one! I loved involving her in the process! We found this one at Target and snagged it on sale: Prelit Artificial Tree  

A BIBLE: You will need a Bible to help tell the story for each day of Advent. We have chosen to use the Jesus Storybook Bible (see photograph below) to make the stories more age appropriate. Our daughter loves the illustrations in this Bible and it has been a great fit for the Jesse Tree. If for some reason the story being conveyed on a specific day of Advent is not in the Jesus Storybook Bible, we simply read the verse and explain it as best as we can.

ORNAMENTS: I love the ones I found on Amazon. I chose these because we can use them for years to come! The wooden ornaments are sturdy and the illustrations are beautiful, colorful and very child friendly. It contains a pamphlet that has a blurb and Bible verses to reference for each day of Advent. All the guesswork is done for you. I also love that this first year we get to put the stickers on ourselves. It makes it a fun craft for your little ones to be a part of! And don't worry, it's completely fool proof. Everything is illustrated well so you know exactly which stickers match up. You can find these ornaments here: DIY Jesse Tree Ornaments

The important thing is to have FUN, be intentional and enjoy this season together. This takes us about 5-10 minutes each night and our daughter truly looks forward to it and enjoys this sweet time we all spend together. Maybe it's just because she gets to decorate her tree but I know we all treasure this extra time we are spending together and that's one of the best things about this time of year, spending it with the ones you love! 

Sunday Song + Prayer

Happy Sunday, lovelies!


Can you believe Advent season is already here? How exciting it is to be in this beautiful holiday season where we can bring God so much glory for all He has done for us and spread that love, joy and peace to others. 

I hope you are able to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus this season. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, the decorations, the traditions and the fun Christmas movies, I hope you're able to take a step back and remember the reason for this beautiful season. He is worthy of our praise and adoration. I pray this week's song fixes your gaze upon our wonderful Lord and Savior. May our hearts be filled with the wonder of Christ's love the same way they once were filled with the awe of Santa. May we spread His everlasting love and grace to those around us.



This weeks song is:

Build My Life || By: Housefires

  Follow this link to hear this weeks song:  She Takes Strides Sunday Song Spotify Playlist

If you don't have Spotify or can't access the playlist here is a link to the song via YouTube:  Build My Life by Housefires
 

PRAYER: 

Father, 

You are holy and you are mighty. Thank you for being steadfast and a rock we can firmly stand upon. Just like the lyrics we sing in this song, I pray you would open our hearts to see your glory. I pray you would remind us that there is none beside you. When all else fades away, you remain. 

Fill our hearts with your love, your grace, your forgiveness and compassion. In a world and a season that so easily distracts, draw us closer to you and help us be a light to those around us. Where we struggle with stress, unbelief, exhaustion, illness or trials, may you be who we run to first and foremost. Help us to see the beauty and blessings in each season we walk through. May we never forget that you are our Jehovah Rapha, our healer. You are our Prince of Peace and may we live our lives for you.

I pray that you would help us loosen any grip of false control we may have over our lives. Grant us peace knowing we can trust you in all things. I pray we would surrender control to you and seek your will for us. As we enter this season of advent, I pray you would show us who you are. Help us to behold the magnificent story of Christ's birth with fresh eyes, with great joy and adoration. 

In Christ's name I pray, 

Amen

Sunday Song + Prayer

Happy Sunday, friends!

It's Thanksgiving week!! Anyone else amazed that it's already here? I feel like this year has flown! It's hard to believe it's time for the holiday season again! I have the itch to decorate for Christmas and almost caved this week but I'm holding out until after Thanksgiving. Please tell me I'm not the only one! I CANNOT wait to add some Christmas cheer to our home with my little family but until then, I look forward to some delicious food and family time for Thanksgiving. I hope you all have a fun, safe and relaxing holiday with family and friends. May this week kick start a wonderful holiday season for all of you!!
 
Each Sunday, I am sharing a song and a prayer to carry with you through the week. My hope is that it will pour God’s truth into your heart, soul and mind. I pray it will uplift you and encourage you. I pray you it gives you hope, strength and peace. May this music help you delight in motherhood and the race you have been called to run. 

I hope this weeks song helps you focus on the Lord and His many blessings as you enter this Thanksgiving week. He is good and may we give Him praise everyday and during this holiday season we are embarking on! 



This weeks song is:

King of My Heart || By: Kutless

  Follow this link to hear this weeks song:  She Takes Strides Sunday Song Spotify Playlist

If you don't have Spotify or can't access the playlist here is a link to the song via YouTube:  King of My Heart by Kutless
 
PRAYER: 

Father, 


Thank you for being our Provider, our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Friend. We give you praise and thanks for all the blessings you have bestowed upon us. We know that everything we have in this life is a gift from you. Give us hearts that see your goodness and sing your praise! 

As we enter this holiday week, I pray we first and foremost thank you, Father. We have nothing apart from you. You have given us earthly blessings but you have also given us the greatest gift of everlasting life through your Son, Jesus Christ. I pray that we enter this week holding this truth dear to our hearts. I pray that you would fix our eyes on you during this beautiful yet busy season. May our focus be on you and may we have hearts of pure thankfulness and gratefulness. 

For the mom with anxiety wondering how she will get through the holidays, I pray you would ease her mind, bring peace to her heart and that she would run to you as her refuge, her strength, and her comforter. 

Father, you are good. Thank you for pursuing us and showing us what true and everlasting love is. Give us hearts of pure gratitude.

We praise you and we thank you, Father,

AMEN

Sunday Song + Prayer

Happy Sunday, friends!

I hope you've had a great weekend and have a chance to relax before a new week commences!

Each Sunday, I am sharing a song and a prayer to carry with you through the week. My hope is that it will pour God’s truth into your heart, soul and mind. I pray it will uplift you and encourage you. I pray you it gives you hope, strength and peace. May this music help you delight in motherhood and the race you have been called to run. 

This weeks song is:

Not Today || By: Hillsong 

  Follow this link to hear this weeks song:  She Takes Strides Sunday Song Spotify Playlist

PRAYER: 

Father, 

We thank you and praise you knowing you sent your Son to bury the curse of sin and shame. His death gave us life and I pray that we would stand firm on that powerful truth. We have been made new by the bloodshed of Jesus Christ and we are no longer slaves to fear. Build up a spirit of courage in us so that we can look straight into the eyes of fear and tell it, "not today".

As we begin a new week, I pray you would renew us and give us a spirit of confidence and not of fear. Let us proclaim your goodness each and every day and let the enemy know not today, not ever. Give us the strength and wisdom to not allow the enemy a foothold. Remind us that the enemy's schemes have no power over us. I pray that you would cast out fear and give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. 

There is power in the name of Jesus. Convict us to speak it often and to seek after you, Lord. Fill our hearts with your praise and let us not grow weary but let us grow stronger in our relationship with you and those around us. I pray that as anxiety, exhaustion, or stress creep in this week, that we will coming running to you---Our Healer, our Redeemer, our Friend. 

Father, I pray for every mother in the trenches reading this today that you would remind her of her beauty and that her identity rests in you alone. Help her to remember that fear is just a liar running out of breathe. Remind her that the God of angel armies is walking with her. Renew her spirit, Lord. 


In Christ's precious and holy name,

AMEN

Spring Is Coming

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of them all.” -Mulan 

These flowers were beginning to wither and I was going to throw them away but I decided to add more water to the vase and give them a second chance. Turns out, a little water was just what they needed. Their beauty began to shine through again. 

These flowers remind me of myself and so many of us who may walk through a tough, dark season or a really bad day, week, month or year. We feel weak, we feel like our beauty has faded. We may feel like no one values or sees us for who we truly are and the struggles we are facing. We want to find ourselves, our beauty, and our strength again. We want community. We want to see the light and not the pain and darkness. We thirst for peace, answers and clarity. 

Health issues, depression, anxiety, OCD, whatever it might look like for you, it’s tough. It can feel lonely and like a huge weight you wish you could set aside. But whatever your burden, the Lord is sanctifying you. Only He can make you feel whole again. He wants to draw you nearer to Himself and help you grow in your faith because, without challenges, we wouldn’t know how much we truly need Him. We aren’t meant to fight these battles alone. Only the Lord can offer the wisdom, love, peace, clarity and joy we so desperately need. May we cling to Him and His word and may we seek Him in prayer. May we lay our burdens at the foot of the cross.

I know my own struggle with health issues, depression, anxiety, and OCD have shown me my own weakness and desire for control. It’s not easy admitting how often I struggle with these things and how often I am reminded of my weakness. It’s always a humbling reminder that I need to rely on God first and foremost. I also know that community rallying around me has been crucial in reminding me of God’s sovereignty, who I am, and that everything will be okay. The more I lean into God and authentic community, the less hold these things have on me. 

Just like a flower looks for the light from the sun, look up to your Heavenly Father. He is there to water your dry spirit. He is there to speak truth into your soul. He wants to see you blossom in all He has in store for you! 

Just as the seasons come and go, this too shall pass. 

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” -Ecclesiastes 3:11 

Do you believe that truth? Even after the winter, the flowers bloom in spring. What was once dead is now alive. He makes beauty from ashes. 

You are strong and you are beautiful. You have a precious family. You are worthy of love and joy. The Lord will bring you through this. Sing His praises through the storm and let your light shine for all to see because when we embrace where we are and choose to learn and grow from it, others will see His glory and goodness. It will draw others nearer to Him, too. Our brokenness becomes blessing. Our brokenness becomes redemption and that in turn brings life that sings our Father's praises. 

Everything serves a purpose in the Kingdom of God. Something the Lord convicted me of today was this: If I don’t ever fully heal, will it be well with my soul? Will I look through my challenges and meet the eyes of God knowing this place is not my home and my struggles are not forever? Will I choose to see each day as a gift, and look past my struggles to see the blessings before me?

The weakness we have in our flesh makes it difficult to see past the hard times but we must continue to trust that there is great joy ahead. The winter might be here but spring is coming. It always comes. So holdfast, dear one. Lift up your chin, take a deep breath, meditate on scripture and remember whose you are. You are a daughter of the King.

Taking Strides,

Marla Shrader

Sunday Song + Prayer

Happy Sunday, friends!! 

I hope everyone has had a chance to spend some time in community and relaxation today!

Something I’ve always known I wanted to do with my blog was a section for song and prayer. Music has played a huge role in my life and is something I’ve always loved and been passionate about. Prayer, I truly believe, is at the core of my relationship with God. It’s how I stay in communion with Him and fight for those around me. It’s also been at the core of my journey as a mother. Both in praying for my family but also for my healing and ability to shepherd our daughter. So, with that being said, I knew I wanted to share songs that have refreshed my soul and revived my spirit in this season of motherhood and healing. 

Music is universal and I truly believe the Lord can use it to speak truth into our hearts. Music is a form of communication, it’s inspirational, it’s raw, it can be fun, it’s so many things but it’s truly been therapeutic for me on the days when I’m just too tired, don’t feel well, I’m stressed or feeling defeated. I can’t tell you how many times a song has moved me to tears or has lifted my spirits. Some days it’s all I can do to praise God and I know He meets me in those moments. And because music is so easily engrained into us, it’s that much easier to carry truth and encouragement in our hearts and throughout our days. 

Each Sunday I will share a song and a prayer to carry with you through the week. My hope is that it will pour God’s truth into your heart, soul and mind. I pray it will uplift you and encourage you. I pray you it gives you hope, strength and peace. May this music help us delight in motherhood and the race we have been called to run. 

So, without further ado, here’s our very first Sunday Song + Prayer:

She Takes Strides Sunday Song Spotify Playlist (Follow this link to hear this weeks song)

PRAYER: 

Father, 

We come to you asking you to fill our hearts with praise. May we rejoice daily in the beautiful, sacrificial love and gift your precious Son gave us when He died on the cross for us. Let us stand firm in the truth that His death has brought us life.

In the day to day it’s easy to forget such a powerful truth but may it always be our foundation. Flood our hearts with peace and joy knowing you have set us apart for a good work. Flood our hearts with confidence and strength for the days ahead. You walk with us in every step we take. Help us to feel your presence, to pursue you in word, prayer and deed throughout our days. Help us to see the blessings in our days and have hearts of worship and humility. 

I pray that you would build us up as strong women who believe the truth set before us. Let our hope be in you alone. Help us to remember that true joy and peace comes from you alone. There is nothing we can do or say that will fill our cup like a relationship with you, Father. May you be the anchor that holds us steadfast as we walk the joys and trials of this life and of motherhood. Be our healer and our redeemer, Lord. Please stand by our side as we disciple and shepherd our children, serve our husbands, family and friends and build a strong character in us that always knows our worth is in you alone.

It’s in Christ’s name we pray,

AMEN 

A Humble Place of Surrender

At first glance this pictures looks like a sweet summer moment between me and my precious daughter. And although it was, going on a walk was also a very desperate act on my part to feel like I could breathe, to have a glimmer of hope, to gain clarity. You see, depression and anxiety have been a very real battle for me since entering motherhood and some days I just feel downright hopeless when the weight of motherhood or my OCD seems too much to bear and the anxiety attacks plague me. 

But one thing I have always known and seen ring true in my life recently is that we have a very real enemy trying to kill any hope we have in Christ. This enemy wants us to believe that we are the only mom, woman or girl struggling through the season we are in, that no one else could possible "get it". We believe the lies that we aren't enough or that we are alone and this pit we are in will remain dark and we will never see the light. But these lies are just that--they are NOT true. We must stand firm on the truth that Christ did not die in vain. He died for YOU--the mom in the trenches, the woman working hard to provide, the student figuring out her place in this world. His death conquered all the trials this side of Heaven. May this head knowledge become heart knowledge. 

Depression, postpartum depression and anxiety are very real demons that many face but don't let the outside world know is a struggle they are fighting. Guilt, shame and fear of judgement might be just a few of the reasons it's kept secret. It’s also easier to hide than most people realize. Motherhood often makes us feel like we “have to have it all together” and “love every minute of this phase of life” but this isn’t always the reality for many of us. Although we wholeheartedly love our sweet babes, it’s hard, it’s messy, it’s complicated and it's stressful. And as if motherhood isn’t hard enough, it can already be lonely WITHOUT the weight of depression and anxiety. Add it all together and it can become a very dark, hopeless, and stressful time.

But here is something else I've learned as I've walked my own journey with this issue—and please listen to this part because this has been one of the MOST IMPORTANT aspects of my path to healing and as I journey to get my depression and anxiety under control: We not only need to speak up and ask for help but we also need to allow others to step in and press in when we are vulnerable. There truly is strength in numbers and when we surround ourselves with positive, God-loving people, we allow the Lord's wisdom and love to be evident in a whole new way. Where two or more are gathered, the Lord is there and the enemy’s lies will be drowned out. It’s so much harder to listen to the enemy’s lies when you’re being filled with the love, grace and truth of the cross. I truly believe that if more people spoke of miscarriages, depression and other very real struggles, our lives and relationships would look very different. We are not meant to carry these burdens alone. Christ tells us His burden is light. Bring your burdens to the foot of the cross so that He may carry them for you.

We can't keep putting on facades that tell the world we are "okay". We can't continue to pretend we have it all together when we don't. And let's be honest---no one actually does. Christ, prayer, surrender, community and authenticity need to be at the core of our healing. We need to immerse ourselves in God's truth, have others rally around us, cheer us on and cover us in light, in love, in truth and prayer. And as hard as it can be, we need to start believing that we are worth it and that we truly are overcomers. 

We can't afford to give the enemy another foothold. The enemy has no power over us. Satan and sin were DEFEATED at the grave. Redemption and rescue have overcome! Jesus has OVERCOME for you and for me. He is all we need. May we cling to this truth, to His truth that He is our Healer, our Redeemer, our Friend. He walks this road with us and He will never forsake us. It's time we believe this, accept it and breathe these truths into our hearts daily!! And never underestimate the power of having trusted friends and family on speed dial to call in a time of need. We are not meant to do this life alone. 

So sister, wherever you may be, whatever you are struggling with, please know you are not alone. Not now, not ever. God is with you and you have a whole history of women and present fighters walking through this beautiful, messy life with you. It's time we all stand on the grace of the gospel and have true transparency and authenticity in the church, among family and with friends. 

May we find ourselves in a humble place of surrender and bold place of strength in the Lord's faithful hands. May we not let these days and this season of life define us, but instead, let it be a stepping stone, a chapter in the story God is crafting. This isn't the entire book, precious one, this is only a small paragraph in the novel of your life. Let us write something beautiful, for our stories are worth sharing. 


Taking Strides, 

Marla Shrader