Thriving Vs. Surviving—The Little Things That Bring Us Joy: Amy Hannon & Tara L. Cole
As so many of us go about our day to day, living what we might see as “ordinary” lives, we might wonder, while we are working hard at our jobs, providing for ourselves or our families, and staying so busy with the many things that make up the basic details of surviving—how can we also begin thriving and really enjoy our lives beyond merely keeping it all together?
Our guests this week offer some simple suggestions toward ways to bring some peace and joy to our daily existences. Tara L. Cole is a writer, educator, and mom raising school-aged kids during what can often be seen as turbulent times. She offers a few simple ways she helps guide her kids through this season of their lives through spending time with them, providing boundaries for the media they consume, and introducing prayer into their daily routines. Amy Hannon, the founder of Arkansas kitchen boutique Euna Mae’s, finds that simple hospitality brings joy to herself and others. And although she has turned it into a beautiful business, she encourages us that hospitality doesn’t have to be a show and gives us easy steps to welcome gladly and serve faithfully in ways that fill our hearts and others.
Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned:
Past interview: Dawn Barton
Upcoming interview: Kelley Earnhardt Miller
Thank you to our sponsor: https://higherbond.com/podcast/
Arkansas kitchen boutique Euna Mae’s
Gather and Give, Sharing God's Heart Through Everyday Hospitality and Gathering
Everyday Prayers For The School Year
Interview Quotes:
“It was at [Euna Mae’s] house where I have some of my favorite memories of watching her cook for and serve the ones that she loved. And I really didn't realize it then, I realized it later, but her love for gathering people around food was leaving a really long lasting impression on me.” - Amy Hannon
“We have to remember more than anything to seek the Lord and ask Him to find favor with our invitation and to fill us with His love and to radiate His life through us, because that's what we want. We need to be completely honest with the Lord about our worries and our concerns and ask Him to stir up joy and delight as we seek to love and service people.” - Amy Hannon
“Just keep things simple because the hospitality of the Bible isn't fancy and the purpose isn’t to show off your life. The purpose is to share your life with others.” - Amy Hannon
“Jesus knew better than anybody that a simple invitation for connection and community over a shared meal created the perfect opportunity for emotional, relational, and spiritual transactions to take place. And that's the hope of our hospitality.” - Amy Hannon
“I would really encourage you to just start making space in your day and praying to God and asking Him, ‘What can we let go of here in this season, the stage we find ourselves in?’” - Tara Cole
“The best guidance I can give as we introduce our kids to a healthy prayer life is to look at the season or stage that you find yourself in, because every season and stage of life with your kids is going to look different.” - Tara Cole
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Enjoy watching these additional videos from Jesus Calling YouTube channel!
Audio Episodes: https://bit.ly/3zvjbK7
Bonus Podcasts: https://bit.ly/3vfLlGw
Jesus Listens: Stories of Prayer: https://bit.ly/3Sd0a6C
For more, check out Jesuscalling.com
