Her Oasis
monthly communiqué march/26
01
Brushstrokes for Her Soul
Hello, Lovely.
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At the airport, you embrace a loved one goodbye, suitcase in hand and heart heavy. Or perhaps you sit at a kitchen table, pen poised over documents, aware that your signature will alter the course of your life. Change is a constant presence in all our lives. Whether stepping into something new or releasing the familiar, transition remains an integral part of the journey. It is natural to experience both excitement and uncertainty. Yet, these moments serve as sacred invitations, offering opportunities for God to meet us and lead us into what lies ahead.
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We are not expected to possess all the answers. During periods of transition, God invites us to trust the process, seek His presence, and open our hearts to His wisdom. Proverbs 3:5 teaches us to: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Each question and uncertainty becomes an opportunity for deeper connection with Him.
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As change arises, get honest with God. You may need answers to a significant decision or confirmation about a quiet longing.
Pause.
Breathe.
And invite God into your questions.
Close your eyes and ask,
God, what do you want me to notice or understand right now?"
Listen for any word, sense of peace, or feeling that emerges. Clarity often arrives gently, through a sense of peace, a subtle prompting, or a reminder that you are never alone.
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If you experience fear or the desire to control, allow this to prompt you to turn to God. His love is patient, and His peace increases as you make space for Him.
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Every step, whether certain or uncertain, can be woven by God into something beautiful as your story continues to unfold layer by layer. God delights in walking with us as we step forward with courage and allow His gentle guidance to show us our next step.
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May you experience His delight in whatever transition, decision, or change you have on the horizon. May His peace calm your heart, and may His presence accompany you into whatever lies ahead.
Step forward with courage, knowing you are fully covered by the one who loves you more than anyone else and only wants the best for you.
Dear Father,
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In this season of change, I come to You with both hope and trembling. Thank You for being my anchor, steadfast in every transition, faithful as I enter the unknown, and present when I release my full heart to You. You transform every ending into a new beginning and create beauty from uncertainty.
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I do not have the answers. At times, my courage falters, and control appears safer than surrender. Yet You call me to trust rather than strive. Today, I lay down my fears and doubts, placing every question in Your strong and loving hands.
Holy Spirit, guide me now. Tune my heart to Your voice and grant me courage to follow, even when the future remains uncertain. When anxiety arises, steady me with Your peace. When fear whispers, strengthen me with Your power. Remind me that Your plans surpass my understanding.
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Shape my heart, God. Fill me with Your love. Ignite bold faith for each step ahead. Remind me that You do not seek perfection, but a heart surrendered to move in tandem with You.
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I step forward, wrapped in Your unshakeable peace and propelled by Your steadfast love. Thank You for going before me and shaping my story with grace.
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In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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​​ingrid
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02
Breath Prayer
Breath Prayers are a way to cultivate stillness and focus on God, allowing us to experience deep calm through intentional breathing. By repeating a short phrase during breath prayers, we meditate on God’s truth and strengthen our relationship with Him.
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Our text for today's prayer comes from Psalm 139:13 -16 (The Message)
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Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
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Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you the days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day.
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Take a moment to sit in stillness and acknowledge God’s presence. Take a few slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose, and then exhaling fully.
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Inhale
You formed me
Exhale
I am breathtaking!
Inhale
You shaped me
Exhale
Body and soul!
Inhale
You, planned my days
Exhale
Before my first breath.
Inhale
I am
Exhale
Marvelously made!
Inhale
You, my God
Exhale
I adore.
03
Cultivating a Healthy Mind
One of the concepts I'm most passionate about is what researchers call "adaptive goal disengagement." This isn't giving up—it's intelligent redirection. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is acknowledge that a path we've been walking is no longer taking us where we need to go.
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Your brain is constantly processing information about whether your current circumstances are supporting your wellbeing or undermining it. When we ignore these signals, we create what I call unprocessed stress, which can manifest in everything from chronic anxiety to physical symptoms that seem to have no clear cause.
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Change doesn't happen in isolation. One of the key insights from neuroscience is that we often need co-regulation—the support of others—to help our nervous systems feel safe enough to make significant transitions. This is why having a trusted friend, therapist, or support system is so crucial when we're contemplating major life changes.
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When our nervous system feels safe, we can access the prefrontal cortex—the part of our brain responsible for executive decision-making. Without this safety, we're operating primarily from our limbic system, making decisions from a place of fear rather than wisdom.
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The beauty of neuroplasticity is that our brains are constantly changing anyway—the question is whether we're directing that change intentionally or letting it happen by default.
Here are some strategies I've found incredibly helpful:
Start with micro-steps. Your brain needs evidence that change is possible before it will get on board with bigger shifts. These small, intentional actions create new neural pathways and build confidence in your ability to navigate uncertainty.
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Practice mindful awareness. Pay attention to how your body responds to different situations. Physical sensations often carry wisdom that our thinking minds haven't caught up to yet. That knot in your stomach or tension in your shoulders? They're trying to tell you something important.
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Embrace the concept of "intelligent quitting." Sometimes the most productive thing we can do is stop doing something that's no longer serving us. This frees up mental and emotional energy for pursuits that align with who we're becoming.
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One of the biggest obstacles to making necessary changes is the guilt we feel about "giving up" on something we've invested time and energy into. But here's what I want you to understand: honoring your growth and evolution isn't betrayal—it's integrity.
When we stay in situations that drain us out of obligation or fear, we're not just hurting ourselves. We're also not showing up as our best selves for the people and causes we care about. Sometimes the most generous thing we can do is make the changes that allow us to thrive.
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If you're reading this and feeling that familiar tug of knowing something needs to change in your life, I want to offer you this: you don't need anyone's permission to prioritize your wellbeing. You don't need to wait until you're completely burned out or until circumstances force your hand.
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The ability to recognize when it's time to let go and move on is a sophisticated skill that requires both courage and self-compassion. Trust your inner wisdom. Your brain, mind, and body are constantly communicating with you about what you need—the question is whether you're ready to listen.
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Change is never easy, but it's often necessary for growth. And when we approach it with intention, scientific understanding, and compassion for ourselves, we can navigate transitions with greater ease and confidence.
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Remember: starting over isn't starting from scratch. You carry all your wisdom, experience, and strength with you into whatever comes next.
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- Dr. Caroline Leaf
"Change is never easy, but it's often necessary for growth." - Dr. Caroline Leaf
04
Oasis Creative Prayer: Poetic Divina
Poetica Divina {sacred reading of poetry} is contemplative, like Lectio Divina, but focuses on divinely inspired poetry rather than scripture. Poetic praying allows for deep reflection as you connect with God with stenagmois {a Greek word meaning groans or sighs too deep for words}. Whether you read existing poems or write your own, remember this is not about perfection. It's about finding a pathway to release your emotions in prayer. God is there, ready to sit with you in your deepest groanings and guide you to freedom. Poetry invites you to 'read between the lines' as you contemplate the deeper meaning of the art you've just experienced.
Poetica Divina Steps to Follow:
Find a comfortable position and create your space. Select a poem that speaks to your heart. {This could include sacred poetry like a Psalm.} Soften your eyes and take several deep breaths as you still yourself in the presence of the Father as you offer the Father a moment of gratitude.
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​Read the poem slowly as you open your heart to receive from God. Don't get lost in the meaning; allow the words to wash over you.
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​Pause and allow your heart to metabolize what you read. Sit in stillness for a moment or two.
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Reread the poem aloud, slowly, and with intention. As you read the poem, think about how the words connect with you emotionally.
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​Read the poem a third time as you ask the Father to highlight what He wants you to know. Then, use what you are sensing to articulate your prayer of response to the Father. Pay attention to visual cues or scripture references that come to mind. ​
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Finish with a gratitude prayer.
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​​God’s Doing Something New With Me
Rebekah Ann Stephenson
God’s doing something new with me each and every day,
The old is put behind me as He makes a better way.
New doors fly open as I go, replacing those that close-
No need to worry what comes next, because the Good Lord knows.
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God’s got a plan and He knows best, no matter what my lot-
The trials that I’ve had to bear, haven’t been for naught.
Because God’s doing something new with me, each and every day-
And Miracles-they find me, every step along the way!
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Each curve along the winding path, each stumbling stone I’ve met,
Has worked together for my good, of this I won’t forget!
For God’s doing something new with me, each and every day,
Preparing me for what’s in store-shaping me like clay.
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I am not the same as yesterday, nor will I be tomorrow,
I’m learning, GROWing as I go-and trading in my sorrows!
And living in the here and NOW, these things can come with ease
For when the past is not in charge, my spirit can be free.
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Yes, God’s doing something new with me –
Each and every day,
And I’m filled with joy and gratitude for ALL He brings my way!​​
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05
He Restores My Soul
with Peggy Kroupa
God’s Plan
​I recently did a topical study of the times when God delayed women from conceiving children. I found it thought-provoking and enlightening with far-reaching applications for all times of transition. I will include two of the stories.
Sarah was the first example. God waited to open her womb until, in the natural, it was impossible that she could bear a child. That is when the Lord showed us, for all these many generations, that He is a God of the impossible. Many times, my faith was boosted to believe for something, remembering this truth. Here is a modern-day example of this that involves fertility, though there are innumerable others. I have been a member of my church’s prayer team. When the pastor called people forward for prayer, I prayed for them. One Sunday, a woman came to me telling me that she had been to three specialists who had each told her that they were 99% certain that she would never conceive. After the third one, her husband told her that she needed to go forward to get prayer at church. I prayed for her, but I think it was the faith of her husband that God rewarded. She eventually had three children, one to refute the report of each doctor.
Hannah deeply desired a child, and to make it worse, her husband’s other wife had several children and tormented Hannah about her infertility. I began to see that the Lord had allowed this to bring about His plan. Delays can mean that God is waiting for us to be able to understand His perfect will for us so that we can follow through, even if it is a hard task. Imagine getting Hannah and her husband to agree to taking Samuel, a toddler, to the temple to be reared by Eli, the priest. Scripture says Hannah only got to see Samuel once a year but look how her sacrifice impacted God’s plan for Israel. Samuel was a priest because of his bloodline but was also used mightily by God as a judge and prophet. God used Samuel in transitioning Israel from judges to kings. I wonder how God would have to speak to me to agree to this plan.
I often look to scripture to show me new ways to pray. This first application impacted the way I was praying for my friend’s daughter, who has not been able to conceive. “Lord, speak to her and her husband’s hearts to know your thoughts about this situation. What is Your perfect plan?”
I am in a time of transition. I have some health issues, which could be life-threatening. What is God’s plan? Will it be time to transition to my eternal home or to health? I have a scripture I am standing on. “I will not die but live to tell the works of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:17) Now I am waiting to hear God’s answer. Whatever way He wants me to go, I know that when He speaks it, I will have perfect peace. Only the enemy would take peace away.
If you are in transition, I think Joyce Landorf, a Christian author, would call it God’s waiting room. If it is a new, deeply emotional experience like a death or divorce, you may have to spend some time there to recover. Ask God to be especially near and dear to you and to help you feel his love and care. Share with Him how you are feeling.
Here is a simple prayer to pray when you can identify a negative feeling and need deliverance.
Lord, please take away_______ and heal all my wounds. Replace _______ with________.
For example, if you feel fear, say, "Lord, please take away fear and heal all my wounds." Replace fear with trust in You.
More examples: anger, peace; shame, no condemnation; hate, love; etc.
As you recover, to learn more about your situation, ask the Lord to show you scripture to help you understand. It’s a great time to use listening prayer to ask the Lord your questions directly.
If you need more help with listening prayer, you can contact me for a Soul Healing session. You will have prayer support as you ask questions and listen to His answers.
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Click Here for more about Peggy and to access Peggy's blog page.
06
Meditation Moment
Settle into a comfortable position and gently close your eyes. Take a slow, deep breath in and exhale fully. Embrace this quiet moment of solitude, and let your heart reflect on the boundless love and goodness of the Father.
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Meditative Reading
Change is a powerful invitation to transformation. Even in uncertainty, trust that God is shaping you into your most courageous and extraordinary self. When you pause and listen, His presence empowers you to rise above fear. His perfect love fills you with unshakable confidence, strength, and peace.
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Contemplative Adoration
Dear Father, as I walk through this season of transition, I invite You to guide my every step. Fill me with Your wisdom and peace. Draw me closer to Your presence, and help me trust Your loving direction each day. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Ponder
How is this season of transition deepening your trust in God?
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For I know the plans I have for you . . . Jeremiah 29:11
In the Know
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Did you know that Sisters of the Crown regularly brings you a fresh wave of creative prayers?
Get ready to experience Visio Divina with stunning original photos from Victoria Sandage!
Immerse yourself in Poetica Divina, featuring uplifting poetry from the talented Poet Sissy Reese and others.
Discover new depths through Lectio Divina as you explore the powerful word of God.
Feel the joy of worship with Musicia Divina.
Find tranquility through Breath Prayers.
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Be encouraged with traditonal prayer.
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