Quotes from Melody Carlson

I don't usually think of my writing as a 'challenge' because I enjoy the process so much. I suppose that's what's helped me to avoid 'writer's block' all these years.

I grew up in a difficult environment, but I became a Christian as a teen. My mom and my sister soon became Christians also.

God planned for our lives to connect. Let's make sure we keep it that way.

A book is kind of like a river; I simply jump in and start swimming.

When the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you.

Shut off the internal bashing.

you don't fully appreciate what you've got until something threatens to take it away.

a planner-the sort of person who could size up a situation and take control and be rewarded with a good outcome.

I think we all need to learn to like ourselves-just the way we are. And if there are moderate ways to improve our looks and if we're doing it for the right reasons (not to impress our friends!), then maybe it's just fine. Beauty is very subjective-meaning that it all depends on your personal taste. I think that's why God made us all different. So instead of turning ourselves into cookie-cutter images of the latest fashion icon, why not take a moment to enjoy our differences?

So, there you have it, you get up and go to school, thinking it's just another ordinary day and the next thing you know, something totally unexpected happens! Life's like that. I guess it's like Forrest Gump said about the box of chocolates-you just never know what you're going to get!

It made me wonder, if everyone is so connected to their phones-talking and texting and whatever else it is they do all day long-how do they ever have time to notice the beauty of God's creation all around them? How do they have time to connect to God?

we're not always ready to receive God's love. And we're not prepared to accept that it comes in a variety of ways. Often when we least expect it, God's love can show up in the form of something or someone we aren't happy to see-something or someone we want to push away or even run from. And, let me tell you, God's love can make us downright uncomfortable at times.

It's possible you've already let the right someone walk right past you.

Sometimes it's good to take a break. Just as long as you remember it's only a break.

Our Lord reminded his disciples to show hospitality. He said there could be times when they might help or bless a stranger and in reality be blessing him. Be mindful of this as so many of you open your homes to family and loved ones and life becomes somewhat hectic. Perhaps it is in those moments, when all is not going smoothly and well, perhaps that is the very moment when you might discover the Lord is right there in your midst.

Sometimes things seem good at first . . . but we learn the hard way that they weren't as good as we thought.

I always thought faith was kind of a personal thing, Dad says thoughtfully. Everyone has to figure out for themselves how much they should do things like pray or read the Bible.

I can hang on to God and trust that He knows.

Even now, it still bewildered Chelsea the way Virginia and her circle of picture-perfect friends had made that amazing transition—it seemed like overnight—abandoning bikes and Barbies for boys and fashion. But Chelsea hadn't been invited to cross that bridge with them.

We are no different today, friends. We get caught up in the season, busily making preparations for Christmas. We decorate, bake cookies, shop, and wrap presents, and yet we aren't truly ready. We aren't waiting with great expectations. Our hearts aren't prepared to receive this holy guest, this heavenly visitor.

Call it what you like.

She marveled at the selections Moira and Gretchen had made. As if they were both professional wardrobe planners. Or perhaps just angels in disguise.

The real treasures of this world cannot be purchased with any sum of money. But they can be given away for free.

you guys are living life for yourselves. You're leaving God totally out of it, and as a result things can get pretty messed up.