Even If Kelly Streiff
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- Religion & Spirituality
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We want to be people who believe in God’s goodness, no matter what. But what do we do when life is anything but good? When God doesn’t answer our prayers the way we’ve asked or imagined? Or when disappointments and loss dominate this season of our lives? No stranger to loss and longing, Kelly Streiff creates space to acknowledge deep pain and grief, while walking with us on a journey of becoming “Even If” people - people who stand firm in our faith even if God doesn’t show up the way we expect or desire. Together, we’re navigating these seasons of life, learning how to stand firm when life is shaking, and with resolve in our hearts and, sometimes, with a quiver in our voice, boldly declare God’s goodness in our lives…Even If.
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29 - The Ones Who Stay
Every one of us that’s walked through the pain of a story you wouldn’t have chosen knows how much it means when people stay.
When they willingly step into your mess and stand by your side. When they remember the dates and say their names and sit in silence while you cry and lead the way through the dark. When they sacrifice their own desires for your survival and needs.
And as I've read the Christmas story this year through the lens of my own weakness and longing and loss, here's what I'm struck by: Joseph stayed.
God will us would have been enough. But Joseph was with her too. -
28 - A Mother's Peace
Nothing about a newborn baby conjures up the image of peace. Especially a newborn baby born in a stable, during a census, and leads his family to flee for their lives. But calling a baby the Prince of Peace reminds us that peace doesn't always mean that our circumstances are calm or under control. It simply means we have access to it even when they aren't. Mary carried peace in her arms, but we carry it in our spirits. No matter what external circumstance we face.
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27 - Get Your Hopes Up While You Wait
If you’re weary of waiting for things in your own life right now, Advent might seem like a backward thing to celebrate. Why would we embrace a season of waiting in our faith when we’re doing everything we can to get out of one in our own lives?
Because Advent reveals to us the “suddenly” movements of God where everything changes in a moment, no matter how long you've been waiting, He's been working, and we can get our hopes up in expectation of what He can do.
If you're joining our Advent challenge to posture ourselves toward hope this week, share the ways God is increasing your expectation by using #evenifpodcast on Instagram. -
26 - Even When the Holidays are Hard
Thanksgiving can be hard when we're carrying grief, and we're unsure if there's enough room for gratitude also. But gratitude and grief don't cancel each other out. You can carry both at the exact same time. If the holidays are hard for you, this Thanksgiving blessing might be exactly what you need.
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25 - Even When the Church Lets You Down
I've grown up loving the church my whole life. I know that hasn't been everyone's story, but I care deeply for the local church and her role in the Christian faith. But when Imogen died, we were deeply disappointed in the way the church we were attending responded. It wasn't intentional, but the framework they built with their words and their lack of reaching out to us in our grief indicated that our pain wasn't welcome, our suffering wasn't seen, and our grief had to be handled alone.
I share our story here, not to shame or criticize the church we were in, but to invite you to evaluate your own church community and whether or not you're making space for people in their grief. It might be the only time they show up. -
24 - Next Steps Toward Growing Our Family
Peter and I have been actively asking God to grow our family for over a year now since Imogen was born. We know that path might look different than we've imagined or planned, so we've been asking Him to show us the next steps when it's time. I'm sharing all about where He's leading us and where we are in the process today. This episode is full of personal updates and a big announcement about what's next!
Click here to learn more and donate toward our adoption expenses.
Customer Reviews
Timely Word
It’s November 2021 and I just finished hosting an intimate spiritual retreat for women. I tend to feel like I limp over the finish line, but this year, due to a long season of illness, I was limping before I even got to the starting line. In listening to the last episode from December 2020, God was faithful to meet me right where I am. I ended the retreat realizing the betrayal of a longtime friend last year has been robbing me of joy and causing me to guard my heart against the Father in fear, rather than with Him in faith. This episode challenged my perspective, causing me to reframe that sense of loss with gratitude for those who have stayed. And the reminder that I’m did the best I could under several difficult circumstances, pressing on and pouring myself out anyway. Such a timely word (on God’s timetable for my life). Thank you Kelly!
Words directly to my soul
Kelly is speaking every one of the words my heart has wrestled with and the Truth that I have clung to after being thrown into grief with the loss of my 2 babies. Kelly, you have honored Imogen so beautifully in this podcast. Thank you for your obedience and for speaking the words that we all need to hear. I am sharing this podcast far and wide! I’ve told many people, if I could create the perfect podcast for my heart, it would be exactly this. Kelly speaks it far more eloquently and beautifully than I ever could.
Heart connect
I find now that my people are the warriors whose lives have shifted under them and they have CHOSEN to keep going. This is the stuff of legends. These are heroes. The people who have been given heavy things and who have CHOSEN with God’s help to carry them. People who have lost a child (like me). People who parent a child who is not what they expected (like me). People who have been given miracle after amazing miracle (like me). People who still struggle (like me). You don’t know how strong you are, how strong God is, until you are tested. I works the go back to shallow waters, but boy am I glad I’m not alone out here in the deep! Keep up the great conversations!