Friday, April 30, 2021
Good & Perfect Gifts
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Be Intentional
Good morning! It's Thursday! I shared this picture six years ago not knowing I only had 10 days left with my beloved husband.

It's shocking to me to see some of my posts pre-tragedy and realize I had no idea how true and REAL they would become. Though this statement was true then and it's true today I now know the depth to which it is true.
Through the power of friends, their prayers, their love, their steadfastness, their silence when no words would help and their words of love and care and kindness in perfect timing healing took place. God's perfectly placed blessings. Only God....friends, my biggest cheerleaders, my comforters, my prayer warriors.....
I will never forget (brings me to tears to this day) that day when I was so broken, so sick, literally starving and friends stood in my kitchen and chanted, CHUG! CHUG! CHUG! as I downed an Ensure. Then they cheered and clapped for my success. Those were terrifically hard times but they stood. Stood in the strength of Jesus for ME. I could never begin to repay that level of immense support. But I'm ever grateful for them.
I also remember someone asking, "what can we do?" I said, "please keep coming...even if it's looks like I'm better" and they did then and still do to this day. The bonds between us have strengthened and life long friendships are sealed.
Every time a gentle breeze flows through my wind chimes I am reminded how friends loved me. Gifts arriving in the mail, pictures, blankets (some from those I've never met in person but have developed lasting cyber friendships)...all displayed as memories of how I've been loved well.
Advice? In a busy world when time is short and things get crazy... don't push your friends to last on your long to do list. Will good friends understand? Of course. That is one of the blessings of great friendships. But even better...ask for help, form a network, a support system.....LEARN (because, for women, it's not natural) to ask for help. After all that my friends have given to me sometimes it's hard for me to ask for more. Surely I've used up my lot....but that is wrong thinking!!!
Just last night I had dinner with a friend. She said something funny just as I took a drink of water and I spit my water right out. This morning as I was writing in my gratitude journal , entry # 140 says - "water spitting laughter". It's been a long time since I've experienced that kind of laughter. A gift she's given just by taking time from her busy life to, probably unknowingly, pour blessings into mine. A friend. .willing to walk a tough journey with me.
I love this scripture:
Intentional - done on purpose; deliberate.
* Picking up the phone
* Sending an email
* Shooting off a text
* Mailing a card
* Carving out time for coffee, lunch, dinner, a walk
* Keeping in touch, in tune
* Being supportive
* Being available
And when hard times come.... God's Word says "in this world you WILL have trouble but take heart I have overcome the world"....the system is set in place, rock solid and hearts will be served and healed in the most beautiful organic ways.
I sit here this morning, tears streaming down my cheeks, praising God for my friends. Words can never truly convey the depth of love and gratitude I have in my heart for all of them.
Be intentional.
Bless and be blessed today.
Be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Monday, April 26, 2021
Who's Writing Your Story
Good Morning! It’s Monday! I was listening to a book on
Audible yesterday morning and the author said this, “…..there’s a reason I’m
not writing the story and God is…”. She was referring to a really devastating
time in her family. She made the comment to her husband, “If I were writing the
story, it would have a completely different ending.” I have felt that same
thing over these last years. Certainly, I could have written a better ending, one
not so tragic, so painful……so final. As I now have nearly six years to look
back….oh how I remember that pain, so excruciating……. I would have given nearly
anything for him to be here.
As a follower of Christ I have free will….I was so angry at Him
and a million “whys” crossed my lips multiple times a day. But in that anger I
never chose to leave Him behind even though I couldn’t read my Bible and I
couldn’t pray. I’ve found great comfort in knowing that once I said yes to Him
who is able to keep me from falling, that no matter how far I would stray he
would be there to bring me back……a hundred times and more if necessary. His word
PROMISES, “I will NEVER leave you nor forsake you”. NEVER is a long, long time!
King Hezekiah did right in the eyes of the Lord. When he
fell ill he wasn’t ready to die so he begged God to spare his life, to give him
more time. God granted his request and Hezekiah lived another 15 years. During
this time his son
Manasseh was born. When Hezekiah died Manasseh succeeded him as King. One commentary described him as a “cruel tyrant”. Now, of course, nothing happens that God doesn’t plan and know about but I just find it curious that Hezekiah thought he had a better ending. I think that sometimes too. I, just like Hezekiah, have begged God for something different. A different ending. I remember thinking, “maybe this is all a really bad dream from which I’ll wake”. I thought that for weeks on end. I begged, “please, please, please let this be a nightmare”.
I didn’t think it then but I sure do now, “how arrogant of me to think I could possibly write a better story from my limited perspective.” Heck, I don’t even know what will happen an hour from now let alone tomorrow, next week, next month, next year…….how in the world could I write a story 30, 40, 50 years out. Oh I’m sure it would be rainbows and puppies. Lots of sunshine, no clouds, no cold, no snow…EVER, no pain, no striving, health, wealth and prosperity. Doesn’t sound terrible, right? But God…..I would have no need for him and my journey on earth would be just that. Sad…really…..
Each day, each mistake, each wrong decision, each hurt, each painful tragedy is growing me up to be like Christ! Oh my goodness, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be like! When I read his word and ponder the relationship I have with him I begin to realize that there is no better story. And the icing on the cake? It’s FOREVER! Who doesn’t want FOREVER?!
ETERNITY - infinite or unending time. "their love was sealed for eternity"
If I take the challenges, pain and tragedies’ of this life….of my 80 years, compared to paradise FOREVER with a Savior that loves me so much that he WANTS to grow me in his likeness (spoiler alert: being like Christ is an amazing goal)……well, I will stand firmly in that which is forever versus that which is temporary. There are real blessings in this life as God grows me. Is it easy? Sometimes not. Is it hard? Yes, many times it is. Is it worth it? Yes, always. When I’m in a particularly hard trial do I see Him working? Maybe not IN the moment but certainly always, in His timing.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
As He grows me in his likeness, I produce the fruit of the Spirit. Perfectly? No. But as I grow, displaying the fruit of the Spirit becomes more and more the desire of my heart. And that desire makes living through really tough times more bearable.
As I get older I realize just how much eternal security means to me. Not that it meant less before I just spend a whole lot more time thinking about it. I have less to distract me. And I’m grateful. Grateful that he has never left my side not one single time….not a single second.
I hope you know the Savior. I mean that from the depths of my heart. Your life will never be the same. No, not perfect. But even in the imperfection, even in the bad choices, even when we go astray for a time, your eternity is 100% secure. If you want to know him, ask him into your heart today. Ask him to change you, to challenge you, ask him to help you turn from whatever is holding you back from a full relationship with him. Ask Him to write your story. He IS faithful and he WILL do it!
Be blessed today!
Be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Sunday, April 4, 2021
47 Day Journey
Rest in his arms....
"Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If ...

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"He who was seated on the throne said, “I AM MAKING EVERYTHING NEW!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy a...
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For some reason God has been directing me towards the book of Revelation for a few days now. Definitely not an easy book to understand but...
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"Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy tem...