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Grace + Growth, Davenport, IA (2026)

12/04/2025

This morning, driving to get my hair done before we leave, listening to “The Blessing”, and thinking about being in Honduras again when out of nowhere, conviction gripped my heart. The first time we went to Honduras was for a mission trip, this time it is simply for pleasure, but does my calling to share the gospel suddenly disappear just because I am on vacation? I don’t think so.

I’ve seen the tee shirts and keep hearing people say, “Make Heaven crowded,” and everything in me says, “Yes.” But then another question rises up quietly, almost painfully. What am I, Rachel Kratz, doing on a regular basis to make Heaven crowded? I try to encourage believers with my posts, I share the stories of what God is doing in my life, but do I ever share the source of my joy with someone who may not believe yet? If I am honest, not often enough.

Scripture tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope we carry, but somewhere along the way I got comfortable waiting for someone else to start the conversation. Today I felt the Lord nudging me, reminding me that the greatest news in the world was never meant to be kept tucked away in my heart like a secret treasure.

So here I am, asking Him to forgive me for holding back, and thanking Him for waking me up again to the beautiful privilege of sharing Jesus, the One who has carried me through fire, fear, and every place in between. I want to be someone who makes Heaven crowded, not out of pressure, but out of love overflowing.

If you are feeling this tug too, maybe today is our fresh start.

12/03/2025

We are only a couple days away and I can’t hold in my excitement any more!!!!

Steve and I are finally taking our honeymoon, just eleven short years later. When we first got married we were strapped for cash and we had two little boys, so Mom watched them and we did sneak away for our first night together, in the Slammer in Aledo. You read that right. We spent our first night in the Slammer. It used to be the county jail, but when they built a new one, this one became a very unique bed and breakfast and at one point a restaurant as well. Since we got married at Dad and Cindy’s farm, it was right down the road. We stayed in what used to be the warden’s quarters and it was surprisingly comfy.

Back to the present, I cannot wait to step onto that huge ship and let the ocean carry us toward places we have never seen before. My heart feels full and light all at the same time, grateful for the gift of slowing down with the man I love and excited to taste the wonder of travel again. Before we board though, we are making a stop at the Space Museum in Houston, because you know this girl can never pass up a chance to learn something new and stare at the heavens a little closer.

If you think of us, please say a quick prayer for our teenage boys we are leaving at home, for safety and for eyes wide open to all the beauty God has planned for this trip.

Seriously…..I’m so excited!!!! 🎉🎉🎉

12/02/2025

Its snowing again here in Iowa. I took this picture as I let the dogs out to use the restroom. Watching the softly falling snow, peace filled my heart and these thoughts began to run through my head.

As the day settles and the house grows quiet, I pray you feel the nearness of the One who has never taken His eyes off you. May your heart rest in the truth that you matter more to God than you will ever fully understand on this side of Heaven. May His love rise in you like a gentle tide, reminding you that you are held, chosen, and cherished.

I pray that anything heavy on your shoulders tonight begins to ease, like fog lifting when the sun appears. May fear lose its grip on you, may worry find no place to land, and may peace settle in your soul. You are a child of God, and that means you carry a strength that does not come from you, a worth that cannot be taken, and a hope that whispers through the dark……..hold on, morning is coming.

Rest well tonight, friend. Let joy stretch out its wings in you, and let faith wrap around you like a warm blanket fresh from the dryer. You are loved beyond measure.🩷

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.”
1 John 3:1 NIV

11/30/2025

Christmas paint class was a blast! Thank you to Dena at Argrow’s Cafe for coming in on her day off to open for us since we got snowed out on Saturday and thanks for the yummy hot cocoa bar! It was so cute! Thanks to all the ladies who braved the snow and cold temps to paint today. I’m officially in the holiday spirit now! 🎄🎄🎄

11/30/2025

I used to think that the Bible refers to us as sheep because sheep are, well….to put it delicately, not the brightest crayon in the box. I had heard it taught that way more times than I can count. But the older I get, and the more I walk with the Lord, the more I realize that God never used that comparison to insult us. He used it to show us how deeply we are loved.

It turns out sheep are not dumb at all. Scientists have found that sheep can remember up to fifty individual faces for years at a time, including human faces. They recognize voices and they form deep bonds. They solve problems, and they even show signs of empathy, especially when another sheep is distressed. Their brains light up in the same regions as ours when they feel safe, when they are calm, and when they feel protected by someone they trust.

Isn’t that something?

So, maybe the Bible wasn’t trying to tell us we lack intelligence, maybe it was whispering something else. Sheep are dependent on the shepherd because they were designed that way. They scare easily, and they don’t do well on their own. They flourish under care and they rest when someone stronger and wiser stands watch over them.

Honestly, that sounds a lot like me.

There are days I feel jumpy and unsure. Days when the shadows feel bigger than they are and my heart forgets what it knows is true. Yet Isaiah 40:11 reminds me that God gathers me up anyway. He doesn’t shame me for needing Him. He holds me close to His heart, because that is where I am safest.

I am not called a sheep because I am foolish. I am called a sheep because I am His, and that changes everything!

11/29/2025

Looking out my front door this morning to behold a world wrapped in white. Snow fell through the night and changed my plans for the day, yet somehow I cannot be upset when everything looks this soft and sacred. There is something about a quiet snowfall that feels like God whispering, “Slow down, child, I am here.”

Did you know that snow does far more than look pretty as it falls? Scientists will tell you that snow acts like an insulating blanket for the soil. It protects fragile roots from harsh temperature changes, stores water that slowly sinks into the earth in spring, and even releases nitrogen that nourishes new growth when the thaw comes. In other words, what looks like stillness on the surface is actually preparation for life. Winter is sometimes viewed as being dead but it’s actually God’s way of tucking the earth in and getting it ready to bloom again.

Every time I look out my windows and see the world covered in that hush of white, I cannot help but think about the covering God placed over my life too. He sent His only Son to shed His blood so that when God looks at His children, He does not see the mess we have made or the sins we have committed. He sees a forgiven daughter or son, washed clean, covered in grace, ready to grow again when the season changes.

What a gift that is, and oh, what a Savior.

11/28/2025

A Heartfelt Closing to Heart Work, Holy Work

Thank you friends, for taking these last ten days to sit with me and lean into the tender places of the heart. I’ve been so moved by your messages, your shares, your tears, and your courage. If you’ve been part of this series in any way, please know how deeply grateful I am.

***To the guys out there, I promise I wasn’t trying to exclude you. I simply write through the lens I live in as a woman, but pain and healing, identity and hope belong to all of us. Any or all of these posts may apply to you as well.

On this day after Thanksgiving, I want to pause and give thanks to God for the way He has led and healed me through the years. There were so many moments I didn’t understand, so many seasons that felt confusing or painful or heavy. Looking back though, I can see the beauty He was weaving even when I couldn’t see the pattern. I see His fingerprints in places I thought were forgotten. I see His comfort in valleys I thought I walked alone. I see His grace covering chapters I once wished I could erase.

I’m not saying “I’ve arrived” not even close. I am standing in a place today though that makes me incredibly grateful for this season. I have a loving husband, amazing kids, work that fulfills my heart, and a support system only God could have orchestrated. He has been faithful, and I just want to say:

God is good all the time,
and all the time, God is good.

If this series touched your heart in any way, I give Him all the glory. If a line or a Scripture reminded you of who you are, that was Him too. If you found even a sliver of peace, may it continue to grow in the days ahead.

Before I close, I wanted to share something dear to my heart. If this series has spoken to you, please stay tuned. I am currently creating a collection of original works such as paintings, posters, greeting cards, notecards, and more all inspired by these posts. Each piece will combine my artwork with words from this series, and the full collection will be released toward the end of January. I cannot wait to share it with you!

May God be close to today and bless your homes, your hearts, and your healing. 🩷

11/28/2025

When God feels distant
Day 10 of heart work, holy work

Sometimes hurt doesn’t just bruise your heart, it muffles your spirit. When someone wounds you with their words, their silence, or their rejection, it can feel like their voice echoes God’s. Maybe you’ve had seasons where you prayed and it felt like your prayers hit the ceiling, or you opened your Bible but the words blurred instead of speaking to you. Maybe someone else’s actions left you wondering if God had stepped away too. Have you ever found yourself sitting there wondering where in the world He was?

If that’s you, come sit with me for a minute and listen. Feeling distant from God does not mean He has left you. It means your heart has been overwhelmed. It means you’ve been carrying pain that was never yours to hold alone.
It means your soul is tired from trying to make sense of a hurt you didn’t deserve, but here’s the truth I want to whisper gently over you:

God’s nearness is not dependent on your feelings. His presence is not fragile, and His love has not moved an inch away from you.

In Psalm 34:18 we read, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

He does not move away when your heart aches.
He moves closer to your questions, to your sorrow, and closer to the part of you that wonders if you’re still held.

When someone else’s voice has drowned out God’s, it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.

Sometimes His voice feels like peace when you expected an explanation, or it feels like a softening in your chest when you didn’t know you were tense. It might be the verse or a song that finds you at the exact moment you need it, or the strength you didn’t know you still had.

If someone’s hurt has made it hard to hear God, please know this:

Their brokenness does not define His heart.
Their silence does not equal His absence.
Their rejection does not cancel His love.

You are still His child whom He adores.

Even in the moments when God feels far away, He is already reaching toward you with tenderness you may not feel yet, but it’s there all the same.

Friend, I’m sitting with you in this, and God is too.

11/26/2025

When you don’t trust your own voice
Day 9 of heart work, holy work

Sometimes there are seasons when your voice feels small, shaky, or uncertain. Maybe you grew up with someone who corrected every word you said, questioned every decision, or made you feel like your thoughts didn’t matter. Maybe life has worn you down a bit, and now you second guess yourself before you even speak.

If that’s you, come sit with me for a minute and listen. Losing confidence in your own voice does not mean you are weak. It means you’ve survived environments where your voice wasn’t honored. It means you’ve been carrying words that were never meant to shape you, but here’s the truth I want to speak gently over you:

Your voice is not broken, it’s just been buried under years of someone else’s noise.

The God who created you has always known the sound of your voice, and He treasures it. He listens with tenderness when others don’t. He hears you even when you whisper, and He is calling you to rise with confidence again.

In John 10:27, He says, “My sheep hear My voice… and they follow Me.”

If you can recognize His voice, then your own voice is not lost. It’s simply waiting to be strengthened again. The same God who speaks peace over you is the One who will restore your clarity, your confidence, and your courage.

You are not “too emotional” or “too sensitive” or “too much.” You are a woman learning to trust herself after years of being made to question everything. Please listen to me friend;

Your voice matters.
Your feelings matter.
Your discernment matters.
You were created with wisdom, intuition, and insight.

If someone in your life taught you to doubt yourself, that was their wound speaking…..not your worth.

You can trust the woman God is shaping you into. You can trust the Holy Spirit whispering inside you. You are not walking this alone. God is right there beside you and is strengthening your voice even now.

Friend, I’m sitting with you in this and God is too.

11/25/2025

Paint class this Saturday at Argrow’s Cafe! Join us for holiday fun! 🎄

11/25/2025

When you feel invisible in your own story.
Day 8 of heart work, holy work

Sometimes there are seasons in life when you give and serve and show up every day and still feel completely unseen. Maybe you’re the one who keeps the household running, the one who remembers every detail, the one who supports everyone else’s dreams while yours quietly wait on the back burner. Maybe you’re the strong one, the soft place to land, the steady presence….and still you feel overlooked.

Feeling invisible does not mean you are unimportant.
Feeling unseen does not mean you are unnoticed.
Feeling overlooked does not mean you don’t matter.

Sometimes the world gets noisy, people get distracted, and those who rely on you forget how much you carry. I know that sometimes, the tender places inside of you get tired of being brave, but here’s what I want you to hear deep in your spirit:

You are not invisible to God, not for one moment.

In Genesis 16:13 we read, “You have seen me.”

If you know this story then you know it was spoken by a woman who felt cast aside, forgotten, and alone….yet she found herself face-to-face with the God who sees every single thing.

He sees the late-night prayers you whisper when everyone else is asleep.
He sees the tears you wipe away before you walk into the next room.
He sees the strength it takes to keep loving, keep serving, keep showing up.
He sees the dreams you’ve pressed down so others can rise.
He sees the exhaustion beneath your smile.

If people in your life have ever failed to notice your heart, that speaks about their limitation, not your worth. Your identity is not wrapped in how much recognition you receive, but in the God who watches over you with tenderness.

Even if you feel lonely, you are not walking this alone. You are held by a God who sees you fully and loves you deeply. I’m sitting with you in this friend, and God is too.

11/24/2025

When you grew up feeling ignored
Day 7 of heart work, holy work

Some wounds don’t come from shouting, they come from silence. Maybe you were the little girl who learned not to ask questions because you were told not to “bother” anyone. The one who packed her emotions neatly away because there was no room for them. The one who figured things out alone because there was no soft place to land, no gentle voice to guide, no arms to run to when the world felt too hard.

If that’s you, come sit with me for a minute, being ignored does something to a child. It teaches her to disappear, to stay quiet, and to become her own protector long before she should have needed to be.

Did you know, that little girl is still inside you, and she still needs a voice, a protector, a comforter, and a place to rest?

She doesn’t need to toughen up, she’s done enough of that. She doesn’t need to figure it all out alone, she’s exhausted from trying. She doesn’t need to stay quiet anymore, her voice matters. She needs someone to sit beside her, someone to speak gently, someone to say, “I see you.”

In Scripture, God reveals Himself as El Roí, the God who sees. The one who doesn’t overlook you, doesn’t tune you out, and doesn’t dismiss your questions or your cries.

Psalm 61:2 says, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

That rock has never moved.
That safety has never vanished.
That presence has never turned away from you.

You were ignored by people who couldn’t give what you needed, but you have never been ignored by the God who created you.

He saw the little girl trying to figure everything out alone. He sees the woman she became, still carrying more than she should, and He is inviting you, tenderly, to lay down this lifelong habit of holding the world on your own two shoulders.

El Roí sees you.
He knows you.
He holds you.
He calls you His own.

You can come to Him and lay down all your burdens at His feet and know that the little girl inside you is finally safe. That the woman you are becoming by the grace of God, is finally seen, and neither of you ever walk alone.

Friend, I’m sitting with you in this, and God is too.

Grace + Growth

12/04/2025

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11/29/2025

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