CHRISTIE MICHAUD BLOG

You don’t hear much about suffering. It’s painful, not pretty, and to be avoided at all costs. And when you’re past it, you don’t want to be reminded of it for fear it will return. Somewhere along the way, we've developed a misconception that the Christian life is all roses and butterflies (devoid of suffering), and if this is not your experience, then you must be doing something wrong, or maybe, you’re not even a part of the family. Thankfully, we have Job, Paul, and Stephen

There was only delayed hope. I knew and trusted this verse, but deeper reflection revealed I was still clinging to my good being what’s good.

What if the “get up” Jesus is speaking of is to “pick up your mat” and the faith produced from that action will lead to walking (more faith and becoming well)?

What if by dwelling on the hard, longing for the past, or wishing for or fearing the future, we are missing what he is doing in the present? 

What struggle are you facing today? What emotions are you experiencing? Are you in need of direction? Consider praying through a Psalm and personalize it for you and your situation.

Disappointment occurs when expectations (of others or of ourselves) go unmet. In other words, we believe that ourselves, another person, a group of people, or an event should do or produce something specific and if it does not, disappointment results.

It’s been a while since I’ve shared. I told myself I would share IN my struggle instead of AFTER so there’s been a pressure to write but lately nothing has been there. Truthfully, I have not been in the best of headspaces these last six weeks. Pretty foggy actually, and I know some of it has to do with the demand to keep waiting. I’ve been waiting for reconstruction surgery (scheduled for this Wed.), waiting for the state board to allow me to counsel (estimated mid-Jan 2023),

Uncertainties pose opportunities for stress, and often our “what if’s” dictate our peace. Right now, here are mine: 1. I start hormone blocker medication for cancer prevention this week. What if I experience the many negative side effects I’ve heard about? What if it thrusts me back into depression? What if I gain weight? What if it makes me crazy? What if I cannot take it, then what? 2. My license exam retake date is rapidly approaching. What if I get stuck in traffic and g

We've all had times when we would get pumped up about something, feel so strong, and are ready to take on the world. And for a while we're in the zone, making a difference. But then, a wall suddenly creeps in, sometimes slowly, sometimes abruptly. No matter what, there is a guarantee that a wall will come. Then what do you? Five days after surgery, that wall slowly approached. It was like a gas light showing up on a dashboard signaling "almost empty" and I swear there must

This is my rainbow. On August 6th, I walked out into the Waffle House parking lot and my middle son pointed out a rainbow that a friend would later describe as “angel’s wings”. Hours earlier, a neighbor texted a beautiful prism during sunrise, and by evening time, social media displayed an assortment of rainbows from morning to night. Rainbows. Not only God’s beautiful creation but God’s beautiful promise. ( Genesis 6:9-9:17 ) Genesis 9:13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and

Today marks: 23 days since I heard the life-changing words, "You have Breast Cancer." 23 days since I saw multiple rainbows and the coolest rainbow I’d ever seen (I know there is no coincidence here). 38 days since I received maybe even for the first time a peace, completely unadulterated from man's attempts to acquire. This peace was so profound because it came after months of no peace and without a single circumstance changing. Today also marks 3 days until I step into

(thoughts from July 23, 2022) Morning time with my Lord had been put on the back burner. The past few months had been brutal and all I wanted to do was sleep in and avoid. Hide from the anxiety and fear that had become my life. I had become unwell (mentally, emotionally, and little did I know at the time physically). Begrudgingly, I got up because a final class assignment deadline loomed. I grabbed my phone to head out to the coffee shop so I could focus and saw on the screen

Alright, confession time. Over the last year, I’ve gradually allowed media (social, news, podcasts, etc.) to become my number one information source. And if I’m honest, sometimes I’ve allowed it to become my truth source. The result? Frustration, cynicism, confusion… hardcore distraction. That is not from God. I need to recenter. Do you? In this confusing post-modern world of ideologies, political agendas, and opinions vying for our attention, even Christians are being divide

January 11th, I headed to Alabama to take care of my parents. My dad had just been released from the hospital after 9 days on the COVID floor. My mom was so full of anxiety and stress from days without a report or hearing his voice she could barely function. As I headed down I-20, I prayed, “Lord, I cannot do this but you can. I am your vessel. I come to you humbly and fully dependent on you to work through me”. And He did. Last week was so special. Time with Him. Time with m

Written January 13, 2021 HOPE. A full throttle attack on my word started January 1st. States away, my dad was admitted to the hospital for COVID and my mom’s memory continues to be of concern. The capitol was stormed. And just when you think the polarization not only between political parties but now between Christians couldn’t get any worse, it does. The visceral hate being slung all over social media is jaw dropping. How did we get here!?!?! And where do we go from here?!?!

Written December 2, 2020 So many voices. So many opinions. One thing we can all agree on is that we need more hope right now. Full disclosure, mine has been slowly chipping away. This is my first author’s post in quite a while and I apologize for that. I’ve been surviving and distracted just like the rest of the world. No more! The world needs hope. We need to fight for our hope! I am going to take myself back through the BBS book. Want to join me? Whatever you do, be sure to

I read the social media article, laid the phone down, and took a deep breath. In comes a heaviness I cannot describe. The compilation of events and endless chatter have led me to this breaking point. What is this feeling? My chest is heavy and my heart is breaking. I don’t know what to do with these emotions? I’ve got to release this pressure and I don’t know how. I’ve already gone for a run when this happened earlier, maybe I’ll try a bike ride. My neighbor and I set out o

So many voices and opinions and so much information. Who do we listen to? What’s the truth? And if the external voices weren’t enough, the inner ones speak even louder. What’s going to happen? When will this end? Will small businesses and wage earners make it? How can I both teach and be with my kids and work? Will I lose someone I love? Are we overreacting? Are we doing enough? Will the market crash? Can I leave my house? What if I run out of toilet paper? … See what I mean

As the Hurricane Florence detour continues creeping towards the Carolinas, I’ve recognized this as a good time to detour from book marketing and just be real. That is in fact part of the strategy that I’m trying to market. Becoming an author. You’d think this would be a time of celebration for me, but instead: Self-induced pressure to be this “author” persona is quickly becoming more than I can bear. In telling my husband, he grounds me with the question – Just who do you thi

There are amazing books and sermons on how to grow spiritually. I’ve read and heard many. What I’ve learned though answers the mystery of why change often doesn’t come. If I don’t apply what I’ve heard, I will not learn it. If I don’t keep applying what I’ve learned, I will not maintain it. We are creatures of habit with good intentions but unfortunately become distracted by what we see and forget what we cannot. Action is needed for success. Practicing strategy brings life c