About the Author

Michelle Ami Reyes, PhD, is an author and activist. Her first book, Becoming All Things, is the recipient of the 2022 ECPA award. Michelle writes at the intersection of multiculturalism, faith, and justice. She lives with her family in Austin, Texas.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
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(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Yesterday’s entry in my gratitude journal was long. The garden is exploding with vegetables, the sun was shining–but then there were two very discouraging details of life that had blown up the day before. Writing down the hard- but-good of God’s plan for our family right now was also hard-but-good, and I’m grateful for your fellowship in believing that everything is a gift, even though we may not see the purpose for it in the moment.

    • Thanks for your good words, Michele! And, oh how I wish I could be out journaling in my garden today too (except that is 104 in Austin!!). Isn’t life always full of joys and struggles, sometimes all at the same time? I like your phrase: God’s “hard-but-good” plan for our life. Amen!

  2. As I read your words it takes me straight back to when my third was born, with her sister barely 1 yrs old and her brother 4.5 yrs old. I feel you, sleep deprivation is a killer! But as my son (eldest) is about to turn 12 tomorrow although I am grateful what I would give to go back to those night feeds. That special baby smell and their total dependence on you, the quiet night when it’s just you and baby were such a blessing. Yes it was so hard but it goes quickly, it doesn’t feel it at the time but you will heal, you will get to sleep and life will get easier as you adjust to your new normal. I’m so glad you find comfort in God and he has changed your perspective, we’re so lucky and blessed cause he’s always with us x

    • Thank you for your perspective Jas! I’m midway through my pregnancy with my third baby, and those sleepless nights and tough emotional recoveries are one of my fears when this baby is born. But baby is by all accounts healthy, and without a doubt is a blessing straight from God for us. Thank you for reminding me of the bigger picture this morning!

      Michelle, you are so right that sometimes what is hard can be good. Thank you for this poignant reminder 🙂

    • What a great perspective, Jas! My life will not always be full of sleepless nights and little babies to cuddle – I’m trying to enjoy every minute of it, despite how physically taxing it can be! Keeping my mind fixed on the goodness of God and His blessings in my life protects my heart and keeps me focused on the right stuff.

  3. I loved this tho not your pain! Same with God—He loves it when I see His hand, but cries with me when I’m hurt, scared or disappointed. Once a parent always a parent, and it’s hard and oh so good. Thanking God alongside you today. Thank you Michelle.

  4. Wow, just what I needed especially the last line… May we find joy today, Even in the hardships and trust in God’s goodness through it all.

  5. Amen, amen, and amen! Thank you for the reminder and may God give you supernatural strength of body and heart as you heal and care for your little ones, Michelle!

    • Thank you, Melissa! I appreciate your encouragement! Isn’t it beautiful how the (in)courage community brings women together to speak such life-giving words over each other? Grateful for your words.

  6. Thank you for such a lovely writing. I’m a grandma raising two grandsons. I woke up early wondering about wake up my oldest to go to his last year at middle school. I opened my laptop to write about the arrival of baby Oliver in my life. Your writing reminded me as God cares for the lilies of the valley, He will watch over you, Michelle. Hugs

    • Hi Marinalva! Wow! What a special role you get to play in those two boys’ lives! Thanks for sharing a piece of your story and for the reminder that God cares for us just as He “cares for the lillies of the valley.” Amen!

  7. “…trust God’s goodness through it all.” ♥ That’s the key to contentment, isn’t it? Trusting that in the best of times and in the worst of times, He is good. The “good” that looks like “hard” on the surface, is the sweetest kind of goodness much of the time, isn’t it? Eyes to see, Lord, give us eyes to see. — Thanks for sharing, Michelle, and congrats on your newest family member! 🙂

  8. Michelle,T

    Yo are spot on with this post. This life down here is hard. We will have trials & tribulations. Our sufferings are good for us. They produce perseverance & perseverance character & character hope. Romans 5:3-4. There is always something good to glean from trials. My faith & patience were strengthened & matured. He has blessed me to witness two miracles. Thus I have a great
    story to begin my witness. These trials are but for a moment-although it may seem longer sometimes-when compared to eternity.

    Blessings 🙂

    • Beth, what a beautiful story! I need to remind myself that too – that our sufferings can also produce greater perseverance, character and hope within us. I think that will be my prayer tonight at 3 a.m. 🙂

  9. What a blessing to read this today! Yes, it is true just because something is hard doesn’t mean it isn’t good. Words to live by as we continue to toil on this earth. Praying for you and your family Michelle!

  10. I, too, remember well the sleep deprivation when our three children were small. It IS a hard season, but oh so GOOD! You are one smart Mama, Michelle, to focus on the blessings. That alone will go a long way to counter the weight of exhaustion. ‘Wish I had been more intentional about celebrating the good during that time period of my life. P.S. My babies are now 38, 41, and almost 44. One of the sweetest blessings of all is when our children grow up to become friends!

  11. I love this, my youngest, also the second, is just 2 and all those nights I never knew if I’d be back up again in 10 minutes I just prayed “Dear God, thank you for Melanie” every time I climbed back in bed, and it made a huge difference. I was just thinking earlier this week that I stopped saying that prayer after the first year and need to start saying it again. When my patience is running thin, when there’s popsicle staining the staircase walls, to pray “Dear God, thank you for (insert name)” instead of feeing overwhelmed or frustrated. To be grateful even in the exhaustion changes everything. Best wishes to you and your family.

    • What a great prayer! I definitely need to do this with my little girl right now too. Prayer is so important, and especially praying over our children by speaking their names aloud. So simple, yet so powerful. Thank you for these good words.

  12. Thank you Michelle for these reminders of what is true. In our minds goodness should equal “easier.” The Bible never says that. In fact the Bible says “when we have troubles,” not “if.” In the blessings, in the goodness from God, even in our obedience, things are still hard. Storms still come. But God is faithful. He already knows about the hard times, the difficult times, the storms. Thankful for a God that leads us through what He already knows. Thank you Michelle.

    • Melissa – Amen! The more we read God’s word, the more we see how trials and struggles are a big part of the life of a believer. I love how you said, “even in our obedience, things are still hard.” And God is still good too! Thanks for sharing this!

  13. Oh, you capture those exhausting long and longer nights so well! If I could express mail you a full night’s sleep I would do it in a heartbeat. You are in the thick of it, friend! It is hard. Period. But you are so right to see the good in the midst of the hard — one does not discount the other. Praying for you as you heal and press on and keep giving thanks for this good good life. xx