About the Author

Mary is a writer and speaker who lives for good books, spicy queso, and television marathons – but lives because of God’s grace. She writes about giving up on perfect and finding truth in unexpected places at MaryCarver.com. Mary and her husband live in Kansas City with their two daughters.

(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
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  1. Oh Mary, I get it! I feel like the movie Ground Hog Day. I am on a never ending treadmill. I am trying to keep positive and remember God is watching over me but some days it is so hard. The verses from Lamentations are such a help.

    • Yes, it’s so hard when it feels like we’re stuck in Groundhog Day!! But no matter how many times we wake up to the same old, same old, God is with us. And I’m so grateful!

  2. Today is the day,I needed to read this!
    Have been fasting as a collective fast with my church today, and have stumbled across nuggets of encouragement and whispers of love from God the entire day.Found Breathing Eden, by Jennifer Camp, and your message .Together they have put back that sparkle in my eye and the spring in my step, in spite of how sad I feel.

    God loves me….and I know this to be true.

    It was nice “hearing “that whisper today….in spite of myself.

    • Thank you for posting this today, Mary. Life is hard, but our Lord loves us no matter what the circumstances we are embracing. I needed your writing today.

  3. Oh Mary, I so needed these words today! I had a pretty rough December, too. And January wasn’t the turn around I promised myself. Today, on February 13th, 2023 I will start afresh. With God at my side and in my heart. Thank you!

  4. I certainly can relate. My January was a continuation of December and even rougher. But oddly enough, I think because my expectations for January were low, I didn’t feel let down or angry. I am not saying that we should not get our hopes up, by all means, as a Christian we should be marked by our hope in Jesus. I am saying that when the circumstances of life leave us drained and discouraged, it’s ok to feel sad, and manage our expectations for the season that we’re in. At least for me, managing the highs and lows allow me to keep humming the tune on the radio, keep smiling at strangers, and be strong for those in my family or friend circle that are struggling. James 1:2-8 sums this up best for me. My word for the beginning of the year was to be ROOTED. I sincerely asked the Lord to make me rooted in him. I have to believe that this season I’m in is his plan for me.

  5. Mary I needed this so much. As I feel I am the only one in my family for the last year doing the most to help our elderly Dad. When they could do a bit more for our Dad. Then I say don’t complain. As I should be thankful I able to do all I do for my Dad when he elderly. One day he not be here he 82 now. But you get at times you seem to be the only one doing the bulk of it all. I go 6 days a week for couple of hours to do his house. My Dad at times not easy to work with as he has mind of his own. You tell him things to help him in love he doesn’t listen to you he does his own thing. God said to me one day remember your doing in love on to your Dad and on to Me. Remember your Dad not saved he nothing will change he think he knows best when at time he doesn’t become he older than you and the elder. Your only telling him in love to make life easier for him. Just say nothing and pray for him and his Salvation be thankful you are able to do his house. I do that now. Mary God does make a way as you say in wilderness and his doing a new thing in my life. Giving me the strength to all I do you need to do for my Dad and be thankful I can do it for my Dad and remember no to let it get to me when things he does that annoy me. That he should be doing that he will not do because he thinks he knows best. Remember what God told me nothing will change in my Dad until he get saved. So I have to be one year it will change and not be like the old ones my Dad will get saved things in life will change he will be a new person. Knowing people are telling him things then to help him and in love and not think he know best. I believe God one year that will happen. Thank you Mary for today reading. I needed it. Love Dawn Ferguson-Little xx

  6. Thank you for this Mary….my heart and soul so needed to read these words today. Struggling with depression and “life” and this last year has been hard. Thank you for reminding me that God is with us each step of the way..guiding, leading, and holding us in His arms. Still struggling but I know God will see me thru…one step at a time.

  7. This is such a great message and so applicable to my life! I have been meditating on Isaiah 43:19 this year and praying for those roads and rivers in my desert to lead me out. To see His hand at work in my family this year. Thank you for pointing out He doesn’t promise to lead us out but to refresh us while we’re there. I haven’t thought of it that way before. I love reading your posts!

  8. Mary,

    So sorry for all that you went & are going through. This was a much needed post for many. For me this past fall through now has been somewhat difficult. Nov. 2021 I was moved to an ICU Covid unit to be their clerical. I was happy when they made me fulltime benefitted–know it was all God. Early last fall the other clerical quit suddenly & my job changed to stocking 28 ICU rooms. I tried to make the best of it at first. Then it got to me. Feet hurting & now tendon tightness in finger on right hand. I don’t feel like they are using me to my full potential. For some reason God is keeping me there & not giving me other jobs. I just have to rely on His never ending faithfulness & mercy. Plus cling to Jeremiah 29::11.

    Blessings 🙂