There is so much more good in the world than there is bad. Let’s find the bright side.
Melanie Shankle thought she was too far gone. She wasn’t shown the grace and mercy aspect of being a Christian, so by the time she got to college she felt like there was no hope and no going back. Then God met her in a bar in a bathroom, and he pursued her patiently and faithfully and showed her that no daughter of his has ever too far gone…and how to look on the bright side.
Melanie is a speaker, the author of four New York Times bestselling books, and the creator of The Big Mama Blog. She lives in San Antonio with her husband, Perry, and daughter, Caroline. In 2006, she felt God’s call on her to be a full-time writer after pouring over parenting blogs and starting her own while on maternity leave. Her newest book, On the Bright Side: Stories About Friendship, Love, and Being True To Yourself, is described as “the ultimate guide to help you discover the power of relationships, the unchanging truths of life, and importance of giving up comparisons.”
Melanie is an open book and tells us these four things about herself:
Melanie and I had a blast sitting in my living room, laughing and talking about all sorts of things: how the world seems to have forgotten about love and mercy and grace and that we all need to be reminded that there is light; how God meets us right where we are; the precious role of a mother and how to stay sane while raising kids; our mutual obsession with Cheer on Netflix … I hope she encourages you and helps you look for the bright side!
Coming soon! The Grace Guide: Live Your One Beautiful Life
Dear Daughters is a template for those multi-generational conversations and relationships you’re craving.
We want to leave our kids with more than just memories, we want to leave them with a legacy.
Rodney and Michelle Gage have always been all about family. When their oldest was 6 or 7 years old, they had a family pow-wow to decide what their family would be all about…and they want you to know it’s never too late to do that with your family, too.
Rodney and Michelle are the founding and lead pastors of ReThink Life Church in Orlando, FL. They have been married for over 28 years and have devoted more than 25 years to full-time ministry. They co-authored a new book, Family Shift: The 5-Step Plan to Stop Drifting and Start Living with Greater Intention that seeks to help families find God’s best possible life for them and get back to the basics of what’s really important.
Michelle tells us these four things about herself:
Michelle and I talk about the importance of establishing core values for your family, identifying each family member’s individual goals, passions and struggles, finding life-giving friendships, and teaching by example. I love Michelle and her heart. I hope she encourages you to shift your focus back to what matters most and live with greater intention.
What if our eyes shifted from what we need to what we already hold in our hands?
Meredith McDaniel is all about experiencing the hope and peace of God here and now by looking for the manna in her life and being a “manna maker” for others.
Meredith is a licensed professional counselor in Davidson, NC, and owner of her private practice Milk + Honey. She just wrote her first book, In Want + Plenty: Waking Up to God’s Provision in a Land of Longing. Inside the pages, she takes us alongside God’s people as they escape from Egypt and wake up each morning to manna, God’s provision for them in desert places.
Meredith tells us these four things about herself:
Meredith and I talk about the longing that everyone feels and how it can unravel us, but that God is always pouring out abundance on our lives … we just have to look for it. If we can trace God’s hand throughout our stories, we can see the “manna” that reminds us of His presence and provision in our lives. I loved my time with Meredith. She is a calming presence and so inspiring. I hope she encourages you and helps you see the manna in your life!
You have been given a gift and it’s up to you to decide how you use it. And if you decide to use it to love on others and to be present with others, that matters.
Morgan Harper Nichols has loved making art since she was five-years-old. From an early age, her parents encouraged her that she was created to create, but it took much longer to feel like she had permission to share her art with the world … and now she uses it to bring encouragement and extend grace to others.
Morgan is a writer, artist, and musician. All of the work she creates is inspired by people and their stories … how is that? Her new book, All Along You Were Blooming: Thoughts for Boundless Living, is a gorgeous collection of illustrations, poetry, and prose meant to share hope, grace, restoration, and freedom.
Morgan says these four things about herself:
Morgan and I talk about how we can learn so much through people’s stories and how they can fuel us to be who we were created to be. In the moments we see ourselves reflected in those stories, in relationships, in art and the things around us … those are the moments we are reminded that we are not alone and that we do belong. My time with Morgan was just a dream … I love the way she is so encouraging, but also has a little sass. I just know you will find her as delightful and inspiring as I do!
Find my newest book, Dear Daughters: Love Letters to the Next Generation here!