Melody Carlson Quotes & Sayings

You know the real reason we celebrate Christmas, don't you? I mean, beyond Santa Claus and jungle bells and Christmas trees?
You mean because Jesus was born? she asked.
Yes ... but did you ever think how Jesus was born? I mean, have you considered how it was such a humble birth, in a small barn ... how he was laid in a hay trough ... how the Son if almighty God humbled himself to be born in such lowly conditions? Have you thought about it like that? Jesus could have been born in a fine palace. After all, he was the Son of God. But for some reason God chose humble beginnings for His son. Do you ever wonder why? ... I think because God wanted to show that his love could reach to everyone, no matter who they were, from the poorest of poor to great kings. — Melody Carlson

You don't fully appreciate what you've got until something threatens to take it away. — Melody Carlson

I do not understand what makes mothers think they are walking-talking thermometers.But I think somewhere during the process of giving birth and changing diapers, they actually begin to belive they have this supernatural sense. — Melody Carlson

...I can hang on to God and trust that He knows. — Melody Carlson

Sometimes you have to just go for what you want. Take the risk in order to get the reward. — Melody Carlson

Instead of thanking God for my two strong legs that are able to run and jump and climb, I whined about my "thunder thighs" and "thick" ankles. Instead of rejoicing that I have two capable arms that can lift and carry and balance my body, I complained about the flab that hung beneath them. I have been totally and unbelievably ungrateful for everything. Like a completely spoiled brat, I took my healthy body for granted. I criticized it and despised it. With crystal clarity, I know that I do not deserve the good health that God has mysteriously blessed me with. Not only have I been unappreciative of my body and its amazing working parts, I tortured it by overexercising, and I put my entire health at serious risk by starving myself. What on earth was wrong with me? As I watch these kids with their less-than-perfect bodies, I feel so thoroughly ashamed of myself. I mean, how could I have been so stupid and shallow and self-centered? — Melody Carlson

Shut off the internal bashing. — Melody Carlson

Caroline smiled and waved and blew kisses to both of them as she exited the building. But once outside she felt sad and let down, like the party was over and it was time to go home. And yet she remembered her promise to God. She was going to trust that he knew what was best for her. — Melody Carlson

It made me wonder, if everyone is so connected to their phones-talking and texting and whatever else it is they do all day long-how do they ever have time to notice the beauty of God's creation all around them? How do they have time to connect to God? — Melody Carlson

God planned for our lives to connect. Let's make sure we keep it that way. — Melody Carlson

If it seems too good to be true... it probably is. — Melody Carlson

I grew up in a difficult environment, but I became a Christian as a teen. My mom and my sister soon became Christians also. — Melody Carlson

While Owen and Miles talk sports, I people watch. And this is what I see: teenagers trying to act like adults. Or how they think adults act. But mostly they look ridiculous, and I wonder what they don't want to do something that's more fun than drinking, smoking, flirting, and making out. Why are those activities considered to be fun? — Melody Carlson

But fear is confusing. It tears you in two. Half of you wants to run far, far away, but the other half is paralyzed, frozen, immovable. And the hard part is that you never know which half is going to win. — Melody Carlson

By his stripes you are healed. — Melody Carlson

If you want to have a good friend, you first must be a good friend. — Melody Carlson

Sometimes it's good to take a break. Just as long as you remember it's only a break. — Melody Carlson

You guys are living life for yourselves. You're leaving God totally out of it, and as a result things can get pretty messed up. — Melody Carlson

I have become convinced that God thoroughly enjoys fixing and saving things that are broken. That means that no matter how hurt and defeated you feel, no matter how badly you have been damaged, God can repair you. God can give anyone a second chance. — Melody Carlson

So, there you have it, you get up and go to school, thinking it's just another ordinary day and the next thing you know, something totally unexpected happens! Life's like that. I guess it's like Forrest Gump said about the box of chocolates-you just never know what you're going to get! — Melody Carlson

It takes a good habit to replace a bad habit. — Melody Carlson

Call it what you like. — Melody Carlson

I always thought faith was kind of a personal thing, Dad says thoughtfully.
Everyone has to figure out for themselves how much they should do things like pray or read the Bible. — Melody Carlson

It seems totally unfair that the way we look matters so much. I mean, why can't we just get over this gotta-be-thin-and-beautiful thing? Why can't we just accept ourselves and others for what we are? — Melody Carlson

And to the casual observer it looks like I have moved on since I go around wearing my little happy mask all day. I smile and laugh and carry on like my heart's still in one piece, but beneath it all, I am dying. — Melody Carlson

Here was this really nice guy who happened to be uber-shy ... and with just a little encouragement, he was suddenly smiling and joking and having fun. Really, what had taken them so long? — Melody Carlson

Next time, you might want to look before you leap. — Melody Carlson

It's possible you've already let the right someone walk right past you. — Melody Carlson

I think we all need to learn to like ourselves-just the way we are. And if there are moderate ways to improve our looks and if we're doing it for the right reasons (not to impress our friends!), then maybe it's just fine. Beauty is very subjective-meaning that it all depends on your personal taste. I think that's why God made us all different. So instead of turning ourselves into cookie-cutter images of the latest fashion icon, why not take a moment to enjoy our differences? — Melody Carlson

Anyway, Phillip isn't like that. From what I can see, Phillip has good judgement and he genuinely cares about me. And those might be rare qualities in seventeen-year-old boys these days. Not that I'm an expert. Although I am getting better at it. — Melody Carlson

Girls can be so petty and jealous. I swear they're worse than guys sometimes. Except they're all quiet about it. They sugarcoat it or else they talk behind each other's backs. It's seriously twisted. — Melody Carlson

Most guys don't like to be pursued like that. I mean, I suppose it's kinda flattering when a girl likes you so much that she'll go after you, but most guys want to be the ones doing the chasing. — Melody Carlson

I welcome each new day with a hopeful expectancy that I, too, will rise above the ordinary. For I am not content to live a merely "normal" life or settle for an average existence. No, I am destined for more
much, much more. — Melody Carlson

Mostly I think I've learned to trust God more. I mean, if I start getting worried or freaked, I just try to put it in God's hands. Sometimes I imagine God cradling the globe in his hands, and I tell myself that as long as I'm with God, the Creator of the universe, I can be comfortable and at home anyplace on the planet. — Melody Carlson

We are no different today, friends. We get caught up in the season, busily making preparations for Christmas. We decorate, bake cookies, shop, and wrap presents, and yet we aren't truly ready. We aren't waiting with great expectations. Our hearts aren't prepared to receive this holy guest, this heavenly visitor. — Melody Carlson

The best way to get past something was usually to simply do something else, right? — Melody Carlson

You're down now, Jordan, but only for awhile. I think God is giving you a chance to really look at your life and decide just how you want to live it.
That's right, said Kara. You can keep on living it for yourself or invite God to take over. — Melody Carlson

Nothing wrong with taking time to figure out your life and make sure you really like where your life is going. I mean, it's better to do it now than when it's too late. — Melody Carlson

New life, new hope, new joy will start when this is given from the heart. — Melody Carlson

Sometimes we have to let our dreams go in order to allow God to bring them back to us - in his way and his timing. — Melody Carlson

It's amazing the things you realize
when you lose someone:
you get mad at yourself for not
saying the things you could've a million times,
you take for granted the days
spent doing nothing when
you could have been with them.
Anyone can be taken,
at any time in our lives,
but we always wait until they're gone to say
the things we never had the courage to before. — Melody Carlson

Don't worry about how bad things look right now. It's all going to fall into place. You'll see. — Melody Carlson

I don't usually think of my writing as a 'challenge' because I enjoy the process so much. I suppose that's what's helped me to avoid 'writer's block' all these years. — Melody Carlson

I'll never be lonely
Even if I am alone
For I've a precious Savior
Who'll come to take me home.
But while I'm here
His servant I will be
With one foot on earth
And one in eternity.
And I'll gather His crops
To populate His land
And if I feel weary
I'll cling tighter to his hand. — Melody Carlson

A book is kind of like a river; I simply jump in and start swimming. — Melody Carlson

We're not always ready to receive God's love. And we're not prepared to accept that it comes in a variety of ways. Often when we least expect it, God's love can show up in the form of something or someone we aren't happy to see-something or someone we want to push away or even run from. And, let me tell you, God's love can make us downright uncomfortable at times. — Melody Carlson

What if?..
What if I am all to see?
What if life is only this? And Ignorance is bliss?
What if love is only pain? And nothing can be gained by living everyday
And there is no better way?
What then? — Melody Carlson

Sometimes things seem good at first ... but we learn the hard way that they weren't as good as we thought. — Melody Carlson

Even now, it still bewildered Chelsea the way Virginia and her circle of picture-perfect friends had made that amazing transition - it seemed like overnight - abandoning bikes and Barbies for boys and fashion. But Chelsea hadn't been invited to cross that bridge with them. — Melody Carlson

I mean all this focus on how we look on the outside. It's just all wrong — Melody Carlson

How can this be? How could we have been just sitting there, happily eating our lunch, and then Jess announces that she's gay? Like who does that anyway? And how is it possible that I never even saw this coming? I mean if you best friend has no clue that you're gay, then who does? — Melody Carlson

Being a teenager these days is not for the faint of heart. — Melody Carlson

When the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. — Melody Carlson