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