This is Just a Chapter
“Well, this is a fine mess!” Isn’t that what we think when life throws us for a loop? Like we’ve stumbled into the wrong chapter of our own story. But hang tight, because shattered dreams are the very pages God uses to write the most incredible comebacks! We’ve all been there—broken relationships, financial upheavals, health…
Let’s Keep Planting
Seed…..Time…..Harvest – that’s the process. We plant our seeds of faith, our seeds of caring and loving and giving and, sometimes, we think it’s taking way too long between planting the seed and gathering the harvest. Take an apple, for example. Inside this itty-bitty apple seed is a tree filled with apples. AMAZING! One small…
A New Voice
In a world filled with noise, it’s easy to feel like our voices get lost in the chaos. Yet, last week, a remarkable story from the Mayo Clinic reminds us of the profound impact a single voice can have. Marty Kedian, a 59-year-old man diagnosed with a rare form of laryngeal cancer, underwent the world’s…
Being Ventable
My dear friend needed to vent. I was “ventable.” Is that a word? I made it our word because, in this world of anger, heartbreak, sadness, brokenness, and loss, God set us up for being burden and weight bearers. He gave us the goods for being encouragers. He built us for relationships that sincerely matter.…
Grasping Their Reality
There’s a moment when you might think your life sucks (for whatever reason), and then you see others who have a reality that makes your “issues” seem extremely miniscule. Of course, there are those who “voice” their reality because they need prayer support, encouragement, and some motivation to keep on carrying on. No question, we…
Being Go-Get-‘Em Cheerleaders
I know our children and grands would tell you we are proud, adoring grandparents. We purpose to be their #1 fans and cheerleaders. I’d like to introduce you to my BONUS granddaughter. This is our spunky and adorable Adeline aka Addie. What a joy she is to us and the many cheering fans for Westlake…
Peace, Goodwill to All Men AND Women
Of course, I am going to blog about peace and goodwill today. And, in so doing, I am sucker-punching the enemy of my soul. I have had way too many reasons to throw in the towel lately than I care to talk about. But you probably know that I can’t help but talk about it.…
He Believed in Me
Let me tell you about this man. If He hadn’t believed in me….I would have thrown in the towel during rough patches in my life. Those patches when I was shy, lacking confidence, and weak in faith and hope. If He hadn’t believed in me…I wouldn’t have followed His call on my heart to be…
Being Specific with our Praises
In the hallway at my church, I saw a mom kneeling (being at her son’s level), looking straight into his eyes, saying, “I am so proud of you for doing that. You are such a kind and generous boy!” I was impressed. And, I was impressed when Carl and I were visiting his family last…
Just a Little Talk Makes it Right
I am not like Martha in the Bible. She was the sister who was all about hospitality, serving up the best meal for her guests and ensuring they were comfortable. And, I can’t say that I am like her sister, Mary, who sat at the feet of Jesus and relished in His presence all day…