focus – BeanSpired Editions

Gleaning Growth From Struggle

September 26, 2025 Megan Bean

In life as in school, we grow when we handle challenges well. Here are nine insights for making the most of your own struggles.

A sign that says "Have you prayed about it?" perches atop a copy of Megan Bean's book "Just Megan."

Life, Writing

What Publishing My First Book Taught Me About Calling

June 27, 2025June 28, 2025 Megan Bean

You’re not on this mission because God decided you're already flawless. You’re on it because He wants to share this adventure with you—and because He thinks you and others will benefit as a result.

Shadowy mountains brood under a dim sky.

Disability & Rare Disease, Holidays & Seasons, Tough Times

When Waiting Seems Unbearable

December 19, 2024 Megan Bean

We must wait, or give up on what we're waiting for. But how do we keep waiting when waiting seems hopeless?

A round rubber tub of water sits on a water-splattered rubber mat beside a metal barn wall with a board along the bottom edge. A green hose lies coiled around the base of the tub.

Donkey Devos, Life

One Good Thing

September 8, 2023September 18, 2024 Megan Bean

With a little intentionality, I believe we can find joy in good things, satisfaction in God, and richness in sharing the goodness.

The green heart-shaped leaves of an Eastern Redbud tree fill most of the photo. The closest are mere inches from the camera. Some leaves are in sunlight, others in full or partial shade. A few bits of blue sky show though the canopy of leaves. The leafy branches cast shadows on the grass below.

God

A Love That’s Easily Pleased

July 29, 2022September 27, 2024 Megan Bean

When we truly, deeply love someone, we’re easily pleased with their gifts. They could give us a rock and we’d treasure it—because it’s from them. If their heart’s in it, our heart responds. I wondered: How pleased am I with what God gives me? What does that say about our relationship? And how does He respond to what I offer Him?

The face of a dark brown donkey stares into the camera. He wears a forest-green halter with gold-colored hardware. His face, neck, and shoulder fill most of the picture. Beyond him to the left is a metal barn wall. A light gray donkey photobombs in the lower left corner of the image.

Donkey Devos, Life

Back to the Present

September 29, 2021September 27, 2024 Megan Bean

Our walk with God requires a similar presence of mind. In order to stick with Him through a world of temptations and uncertainty, we need to keep our focus on Him and where He is guiding us.

A slab of cement on the ground, with tufts of grass around the edges, has several hoofprints stamped into it.

Gospel

Good News Afoot

July 23, 2021September 27, 2024 Megan Bean

Keep your Gospel shoes on. Because you have some walking to do. And you want all your footprints to spell Jesus.

The sun sets in a dim, hazy sky above a marsh. In the foreground, plants stand silhouetted against water that reflects the sun's light. Farther away, across the water, the land looks dark against the sunset.

God, Tough Times

When Suffering Makes No Sense

January 27, 2021September 30, 2024 Megan Bean

Suffering when you can see the point is hard. Suffering when you can’t see the point is harder.

Bright yellow sunflowers on tall stalks turn their faces upward toward a cloudless, deep blue sky.

Gospel, Life

Looking to the Son

October 27, 2020September 27, 2024 Megan Bean

This is more than positive thinking. It's even more than counting our blessings. It isn't just admiring good things; it’s looking through the goodness to its Source. And it's committing to seeking that Source with our entire selves, all our lives, no matter what we go through.

Holidays & Seasons, Tough Times

Versing into the New Year: Part 2

January 16, 2020October 28, 2024 Megan Bean

Sometimes we start a journey with passion and focus, but as time goes on and the novelty fades, we lose that energy....The good news? God never leaves us.