This Messy, Blessed Life

A homemaker’s reflections on Faith, Scripture, and God's Grace in the Middle of Life's Messes

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  • When God Feels Far Away

    Holding Onto His Promises When Our Hearts Can’t Feel Him

    There are days—quiet, aching days—when God feels far away.
    When prayers seem to echo into silence, when the weight on our hearts makes us wonder if we’ve been forgotten.

    I’ve been there. Honestly, I’m walking through some of those moments now.

    But here’s what I keep coming back to:
    God hasn’t moved. He hasn’t changed. He hasn’t left.
    It’s my perception that shifts—not His presence.

    “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
    —Psalm 34:18

    In seasons of pain or anxiety, our emotions can cloud the truth.
    We start to rely on what we feel instead of what we know.

    And what we know—what Scripture tells us again and again—is that God is near. Always.

    Sometimes I find myself asking,
    “God, where are You?”

    And in my spirit, I hear Him gently respond,
    “Right here. I never left.”

    “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
    —Hebrews 13:5

    That’s not a feeling. That’s a promise.
    He doesn’t promise we’ll always feel His nearness—He promises His presence.

    Even when the valley is deep.
    Even when the silence feels deafening.
    Even when we’re hurting, anxious, or full of doubt.

    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
    for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.”
    —Deuteronomy 31:6

    In the quiet, in the questioning, we can still choose faith.

    Keep opening our Bible.
    Keep whispering prayers, even if they’re messy or wordless.
    Keep choosing to believe, even when we don’t feel it.

    “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
    —James 4:8

    Even when we feel distant, God is close.
    That’s His promise—and His promises are trustworthy.

    So here I am again,
    Heart open.
    Porch quiet.
    Coffee in hand.
    Choosing to trust that God is near—because He said He is.

    And friend, He’s near to you too. Always.

  • Why Isn’t My House Selling?

    So you’re thinking about selling your house. Maybe the kids are grown, maybe you need more space, or maybe you’re just finally ready to live your HGTV dream. Whatever the reason—one of the biggest decisions you’ll make isn’t about square footage or upgrades—it’s about who helps you sell.

    And I’m just going to say it: if you’re serious about actually selling your home (not just slapping a “For Sale” sign in the yard and hoping for the best), you need a local agent.

    I know, I know. Zillow makes it all look so easy. Snap a few pics, write a fun little description (“charming fixer-upper with character!”), and voilà—offers start flooding in, right? Not exactly.

    Here’s What Most Folks Don’t Realize

    Real estate agents don’t shop on Zillow. We use our local MLS (Multiple Listing Service). That’s the go-to database where real buyers’ agents are searching for homes. That’s how we find the good stuff. If your house isn’t on the MLS, it’s basically invisible to us—and our buyers.

    When you list FSBO (For Sale by Owner) or with an agent from outside the area, there’s a good chance your listing never even hits our radar. So while your home might be technically “for sale,” it’s not getting shown, and definitely not getting sold.

    Why a Local Agent Makes All the Difference

    • We know your neighborhood. We live here, too.
    • We know what buyers are willing to pay (and what they’re not).
    • We’ve got local connections—lenders, inspectors, stagers, and photographers who actually show up on time.
    • Most importantly, we know how to market your home where buyers are actually looking.

    I’m not just saying this because I’m a local agent (okay, maybe a little), but because I’ve seen what happens when people skip this step. Their homes sit. They get frustrated. They slash the price. Rinse and repeat.

    If your home isn’t where buyers are looking, it won’t sell. Period.

    Start with a Conversation

    If you’re even thinking about selling, talk to a local agent—ask questions, get an opinion, or just test the waters. No pressure, no commitment. I am always happy to help! And if I’m not the right fit, I can point you to someone who is!

    The goal isn’t just to list your home. It’s to sell it—and help you move on to what’s next!

    From the Front Porch…

    And hey—just the other morning, I was sitting on the front porch with my coffee, watching the neighborhood wake up. Birds chirping, a neighbor jogging by, someone walking their dog (who of course stopped to sniff everything). It hit me—this is why we love where we live. It’s not just the house. It’s the community, the feeling, the rhythm of everyday life.

    That’s what we help buyers find. And that’s what we help you highlight when you sell. That is why I decided to become a Realtor! It’s all about you!

    Have questions? Reach out!

    Casandra Bryant, Licensed Realtor®️ in Lubbock, TX|Reside Real Estate Co.

    casandra@reside.team

    Written by Cas | Life From the Front Porch

    lifefromthefrontporch.blog

  • Gentle Reminders

    I’ve always dreamed of having a house with a front porch. So when my husband and I started looking for a home to buy, it was one of the few things I just didn’t want to compromise on. That, and a fireplace.

    Of course, being in Texas, the porch gets a lot more use than the fireplace — but I love the warmth and character both bring to a home.

    I used to sit out here every evening with my husband. We’ve had some of our best conversations and laughs on this porch. Life’s felt a little hectic lately, and somewhere along the way, we stopped making time for those moments. I’d really like to change that.

    This morning it was raining — one of those soft, steady rains that gently soaks the ground and washes everything clean. It was peaceful. It was quiet. And it was a great reminder.

    A reminder that God takes care of His creation — including us. He always provides what we need.

    Sometimes, what we need isn’t anything big. Sometimes it’s just a front porch, a view of roses and lilies, a warm cup of coffee, a cute furry companion, the sweet sounds and smells of a gentle rain…. and a reminder that we belong to Him.

    Psalm 72:6
    May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!

  • The Fruit Basket I Keep Dropping

    Some days I read Galatians 5 like it’s a checklist I’m failing.

    “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”

    (And I’m over here praying for patience while yelling at the dog to stop barking at the wind.)

    Truthfully? I’ve dropped this fruit basket more times than I care to count.

    🍎 Fruit Doesn’t Happen Overnight

    The thing about fruit — real or spiritual — is that it takes time to grow.

    You don’t plant a tree and wake up to a harvest. You water, you wait, you protect it from storms.

    And that’s how the Holy Spirit works in us, too!

    He’s not looking for perfection — He’s producing transformation!

    So if you’re feeling like you don’t have enough joy today or your patience expired before breakfast, you’re not failing. You’re just growing. You’re being perfected!

    🍒 Let’s Talk About the Fruit (And Why I Drop It)

    • Love: I try to love the way Jesus teaches, but I definitely have “selective grace” some days.
    • Joy: It’s easy when life is smooth, harder when disappointments occur. But I have experienced pure joy in the Lord, even when everything felt chaotic around me!
    • Peace: I’ve prayed for peace… while worrying myself into a full spiral. When I do choose to trust Him, the peace I experience is beyond measure!
    • Patience: I’m convinced God tests this through long lines and slow internet. But, even more so when it comes to people not doing what I think they should.
    • Kindness & Goodness: These I can do — usually with cookies! But, I still fall way short oftentimes
    • Faithfulness: Showing up in the small, unseen ways. Keeping my eyes on the Lord and trusting His will over mine.
    • Gentleness & Self-control: Still a work in progress, especially when I’m tired, or feeling menopausal!

    🛑 The Gut Check: Galatians 5:24–26

    “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

    If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

    Not race ahead. Not fall behind. Just… keep in step.

    🍇 What Does This Look Like in Real Life?

    • Praying before I speak (even if it’s just “Jesus, help me not lose it right now.”)
    • Choosing kindness over clever comebacks. (Tough sometimes)
    • Loving people who are hard to love (and asking God for help when I can’t. I ask Him for help a lot!).
    • Letting the Spirit shape my heart, even when it’s uncomfortable. (I want to be more like Him and less like me)
    • Celebrating someone else’s success instead of comparing. (This one is super tough in Real Estate, but, I’m learning how to let that go!)

    Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you – James 4:10

    🌱 Here’s the Hope

    We don’t have to produce this fruit on our own. We actually can’t produce any real fruit apart from Him. When we submit, His goid work can begin!

    It’s not about trying harder, it’s about yielding more.

    More of your thoughts.

    More of your actions and reactions.

    More of your everyday moments — handed over to Jesus.

    And when you drop your fruit (because we all do), just pick it back up, pray it through, and keep walking in His Perfect Grace!

    Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. – James 4:8

    Let’s sit a while.

    — Cas

  • Welcome to the Porch!

    I Swore I Wasn’t Starting Another Blog… But Here We Are

    I wasn’t going to start another blog. Honestly, I thought I’d already said everything I had to say. I’ve had three blogs in the past (two of them were even popular!) But, somewhere along the way, life got busy, and my words got quiet.

    There is something about this new season… this quiet house, these porch-sitting mornings, my new real estate adventure, and the tug on my heart that said otherwise

    So here I am again — showing up with coffee in one hand, dog hair on my leggings, and a heart full of stories that won’t stop asking to be told. I’m letting God take the reins on this one. Honestly, I don’t know exactly what it will look like yet. But I do know this: He’s the Author of my life, and if I keep listening, He’ll keep leading.

    A Little About Me

    I’m Casandra — Follower of Jesus, married, empty nester, dog mom, homemaker, and Realtor here in Lubbock, Texas. I believe home is more than a place. It’s where your story unfolds, where faith grows, and where we learn to be content with what God has given us. I’m here to walk with you or just sit with you as we seek to follow Christ together. 

    I’m so glad you stopped by.

    Pull up a rocker, and let’s sit a while.

    Love,
    Cas