Christian Living · Healing · Hope · Uncategorized

Honesty in a World of Illusion

A common thing I hear from others is how my honesty is refreshing. I’ve even been called, wait for it, normal! There really is a first time for everything. I could have dismissed the feedback- except it was a repeating theme. When one person gives you a compliment, it’s easy to write it off as…… Continue reading Honesty in a World of Illusion

Encouragement · Hope · Uncategorized

Resolved to Surrender

The New Year is ushered in with hoopla and fanfare. It’s tradition. Stay up later than appropriate {hello over 40 talking} and begrudge the headache you nurse throughout the first hours of the new year. I don’t care much about staying up to watch the clock hands move from one year to the next. I do…… Continue reading Resolved to Surrender

Faith · Hope · Uncategorized

Backstory

We all have one. It shapes our decisions and perceptions. Our relationship filters include them. Backstory: a narrative providing a history or background context… Without discipline, knowledge of another’s backstory can lead to prejudices, or unwarranted judgments. In selfishness–or self-preservation–we can use another’s backstory to justify our own actions. For example, if you happen to feel…… Continue reading Backstory

Belief · Faith · Grace · Hope · Love · Uncategorized

Fish Tales and Parasite Problems

You shouldn’t ask us to fish-sit. We are not reliable. We’ve had 3 (count them aloud 1, 2, 3) beta fish that are no longer. Don’t laugh…let me explain.   Beta fish number one: his name was Rico. He was adopted into our family when I married my husband. Our big kids were young and just…… Continue reading Fish Tales and Parasite Problems

Community · Hope · Uncategorized

I Never Wanted to Blog

Remember chain letters? They originated as the means for spreading a message, swapping stickers or raising money. There is a similar trend happening in the blogging world-only it’s not an effort to raise money, but to expose readership to different [and in some cases] new blogs. It’s like a cyber high-five!! Several blog friends (many that I…… Continue reading I Never Wanted to Blog

Faith · Hope · Love · Uncategorized

A Beautiful Distraction

Ordinarily–I try to sit close to the front to optimize my attention and minimize my distraction. On occasion-due to tardiness, or a full house-I don’t have the benefit of sitting close. This past weekend, as I climbed the steps of the bleachers, I just knew I would miss the message because I’d be “busy” watching pedestrians en route to the bathroom…or…… Continue reading A Beautiful Distraction

Grace · Hope · Uncategorized

Mentality of More

Maybe it is familiar to you… Maybe it haunts you at the grocery store, when you park your car… Maybe it confronts you as you scroll through social media, or when you look at your bank statement…   The nagging thought that you just don’t have enough: friends, money, job opportunities, space in your house,…… Continue reading Mentality of More

Hope · Love · Uncategorized

Debt Forgiveness

Fine. {noun} 1. a sum of money imposed as a penalty for an offense or dereliction: a parking fine. My account at our local library was frozen due to overdue fines. The total was hefty and I was embarrassed. Often, I would log on and review my account and each time I would {sigh} and…… Continue reading Debt Forgiveness

Grace · Hope · Love · Uncategorized

Five Minute Friday::Nothing

In the quiet place I recognize my empty hands…my weary heart…my dried up spirit. On my own, separate from the Lord, I have nothing. He substantiates me, redeems me, fills me, graces me and wildly loves me. My independent, stubborn heart likes to believe I have all I need–moreover, that I am all I need.…… Continue reading Five Minute Friday::Nothing

Grace · Hope · Love · Uncategorized

Not Your True Enemy

Her barking is not uncommon, in fact, it’s her initial instinct in every situation. This morning wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I sat at the table enjoying my tea and reading…and she went outside and began barking. Something told me this wasn’t her ordinary exchange with the pesky squirrels, or random cat in our…… Continue reading Not Your True Enemy