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emily p. freeman

Creating space for your soul to breathe so you can discern your next right thing.

08: Expect to be Surprised

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It’s easy to put pressure on ourselves to make the best right choice. When I get too worked up about getting it right, it can lead to an obsession with clarity and the quick fix.

Today’s collection of stories shows how Jesus often works in small surprises in the midst of the long haul.

08: Expect to be Surprisedemily p freeman
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Links + Resources From This Episode:

  • Hutchmoot
  • The Rabbit Room
  • Sarah Masen – Tuesday
  • Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman
  • Psalm 139

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Weekends are for slowing down, for listening, and for receiving something good. Here's where I make that easy.

Sign up here to receive my weekly Saturday morning email, a mercifully short list of good things to read, watch, and listen to.

Everything I send you will always have one thing in mind: the health of your soul. Here's to creating space for your soul to breathe in an often breathless world.

Filed Under: The Next Right Thing Podcast

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Melissa Dugan says

    September 26, 2017 at 6:39 PM

    Each week I wait for a quiet space to sit and soak in these encouraging messages! I am grateful for your vulnerability and willingness to share them, and just want you to know that our faithful God is using them to gently nudge me along the path He has marked out for me. Your faithfulness to do this work is a great gift to your listeners. Thank you, Emily!

    Reply
  2. Ginny says

    September 27, 2017 at 12:14 PM

    Hi Emily, I am late to the game in listening to your podcast, but I am enjoying them all so much. I love the pdf’s that I can print them out afterward as well. I am recommending them to a couple of friends as well. The whole presentation of your podcast is beautifully done.

    Reply
  3. Elisabeth says

    September 27, 2017 at 12:49 PM

    Hi Emily! I finally posted a review today! Your podcast is lovely. One of my favorite things to do as a mom is read aloud to my kids. When I listen to your podcast, I have the same warm, comforting feeling, like laying on my bed with my eyes closed, listening to one who loves me reading me a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing your gift.

    Reply
  4. Bekah Pogue says

    September 27, 2017 at 10:48 PM

    Emily,
    Thank you for being a “Sarah Masen” in my life. Your words have inspired, spurred and been winks on the other side of the glass countless times.

    Reply
  5. Rebecca McIndoe says

    September 29, 2017 at 2:23 PM

    Oh Emily,
    I have always been drawn to listen and learn with you but couldn’t, if I am honest, put my finger on specifically why. Today, as I listened here, I laughed out loud! I am attending my first Hutchmoot this year, share your sentiment on Sarah and attend and serve and love deeply the church I attend which happens to have been planted by a plant of HPB. 🙂
    I look forward to continuing to listen here and learn more with you as you journey!
    Blessings,
    Becky

    Reply
  6. Kelly says

    September 29, 2017 at 5:21 PM

    Hi Emily,
    I needed to hear this. I love the quality of your writing and sound quality of the podcast. I am learning to notice as E. Peterson says in the Message, the unforced rhythms of grace and the surprises God has in store when I trust and not script every move. Thanks for sharing your gift.
    All the best with grad school and all the juggling of other responsibilities. Keep breathing.

    Reply
  7. ailsa says

    September 29, 2017 at 5:25 PM

    great perspective Emily!

    Reply
  8. Mary says

    September 29, 2017 at 9:01 PM

    Emily, so glad I found you through another spiritual female messenger.
    The podcast was a reminder to myself that even when I make a decision, be present
    and open for a God option. That’s my prayer for all.
    Thank you! God Bless You!

    Reply
  9. angela says

    September 30, 2017 at 12:11 AM

    I read your book Simply Tuesday and have been a fan ever since. I eagerly await your podcasts each week and as I drove home in the rain this week from work I tuned in. I had another hard day. I am in a season of my life where I am struggling to find purpose in my work. I find comfort in planning and control and right now I have neither. As I listened my heart broke open as you spoke of letting go… taking comfort in the fact that God is leading me to something that I do not yet know… and more importantly that that’s ok. I cried out of joy and relief. And as a frantic mother of two that story within your story mirrored my own life. Thank you for this message and for your podcast. I look forward to next Tuesday…

    Reply
  10. Patricia Ivie says

    September 30, 2017 at 9:05 AM

    How God has blessed me through you today! What gentleness you embody. Like the gentle lapping of waves. Truely space for my soul. Thank you for sharing your journey.

    Reply
  11. Hayden Dunn says

    September 30, 2017 at 7:12 PM

    Emily, I loved your “God Winks” phrase and story. They made me smile after a sweet but angst filled week of College Visits with my oldest daughter. I look forward to sharing this episode with her and remembering how God encouraged us to look out of our window and see Him.

    Reply
  12. Jennifer Fortner says

    October 1, 2017 at 12:45 AM

    Emily, you don’t know it, but we are friends. ☺️I have so enjoyed your words and wisdom and grace-filled perspective on everything from being an artist to enjoying my boy’s toy cars spread all over the floor. I eagerly anticipate your podcasts, in part because I delight in the reminder to embrace smallness, but also because of the way you uniquely deliver them with an underlying peacefulness that can only come from a woman indwelled by Jesus. You are ABSOLUTELY my Sarah Masen. I find myself quoting you and reading your books again and again to come to peace with the quiet place the Lord has placed me in right now. If you ever head to a chicken place near Austin, Texas, I would sure love to join you. 😊 Be encouraged, friend. The Lord is using you mightily.

    Reply
  13. Elizabeth says

    October 5, 2017 at 4:33 PM

    Thank you Emily for your words. I’m going through a difficult time at the church where I just started serving. Your message was a soothing reminder to this control freak. By the way, I am leading a small group through your Grace for the Good Girl book and we are all enjoying it immensely.

    Reply
  14. Thetesa Boedeler says

    October 6, 2017 at 9:04 AM

    Emily, Love listening to your new podcast. Your voice is soothing and your words are balm to my soul. Keep it up. You ate giving us think to think about.

    Reply
  15. Lily Burickson says

    October 8, 2017 at 7:05 PM

    I appreciate anyone that’s willing to look into the unknown the anxiety and lusts of the flesh and not fall right asleep, that’s what I do when I’m stressed, but it’s gotten better when I realize it for what it is a testimony waiting for a go
    Byod work through, thanks for the reassurance emily

    Reply
  16. Angelika Ragsdale says

    October 21, 2017 at 4:32 AM

    This is a beautiful podcast and you spoke straight to my ♡
    Thank you so much Emily for sharing your experiences and insights.
    Angelika from Côte d’Ivoire

    Reply
  17. Susanne Thompson says

    December 1, 2017 at 8:43 PM

    Love hearing and reading your work…and Psalm 139 is one of my favorites, and so fitting for the end of this one. Your book, “A Million Little Ways,” was very instrumental to me at a deep, hard time, to pick up my camera for the first time in years, and “be.” Through the lens, now I see…and I am now re-reading that book as well. Next I will read “Simply Tuesday.” Thank you.

    Reply
  18. Beth says

    January 8, 2019 at 4:04 PM

    Emily, each week I go back and catch up on some of the episodes I have missed. I can’t tell you how timely the message of this post was today. It’s often like you know exactly what I need to hear, and decided to come and speak about it.

    Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts here.

    XOXO

    Reply

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