Pray for America: 2 Powerful Ways to Let Freedom Ring
I don’t know about you, but this year, our nation’s Independence holiday had more of an impact on me than ever before. If I had to guess, I would say it is because of the current state of our country and the direction we appear to be heading. This will not be a political post, simply my thoughts on how we as individuals, living our day to day lives, can make a difference. We must make a difference to ensure that America stays a land of the free and home of the brave for our children and grandchildren. The most important thing we can do is PRAY! I know sometimes we can fall into the trap of wondering if our personal prayers actually make a difference – but they do! I was reading today in Luke 11:5-13 and Jesus is basically telling his disciples to be annoying pests when it
Home … Our Happy Place
Home … What feeling or emotion does that word conjure up in you? Maybe the home you grew up in was chaotic and full of all kinds of messiness. But what about the home you are in right now? Whether it is a studio apartment where you live by yourself or a 3000 square foot house with many bodies filling the space … what do you feel when you think of your home? And what do you want to feel? “The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” Maya Angelou No doubt about it … my home is my favorite place to be. It’s quiet (now), peaceful, and restful. I have worked from home for the past 26 years and while I have always loved being home, it wasn’t until the last few years
Imagining God
Close your eyes. Now I want you to imagine God. Does that sound silly? Or strange? Or scary?? Just try it. You might be surprised like I was! In my new favorite journal, The Next Right Thing Guided Journal (everyone needs one!), Emily P. Freeman includes what she calls a monthly practice. This month she suggests what I did above: Close your eyes … and imagine God. Why? Because as she says, “What we believe about God informs every aspect of our lives, including our decisions.” Before I share my experience with you, stop now, close your eyes and imagine God. Take a few minutes to write everything you see and feel. I don’t want you to be influenced by what I share. So I closed my eyes and followed her directions. I was surprised to find that when I imagined God, I could not do it as one
The Gift of Friendship
This week I had the joy of spending several hours with a small group of women over dinner and gelato. Our friendship with each other dates back to the early ‘80s. We all met at the same church during our college or young married years. As I went to bed that night, I reflected on the life-giving evening and thanked God for the gift of these long-term friendships. Between the four of us, we represent almost 140 years of marriage, 11 children, and 12 grandchildren to date. We have lived a little bit of life. In our 20s we spent a lot of time together at church, activities, Bible studies, and small groups being a part of each other’s lives and making many memories. As the years progressed, we each went separate ways either physically or changes in our church home, but we kept in contact. Then we entered our
Unexpected Changes ~ Making Something Other than Lemonade
We have all heard the saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” But when life recently dealt me some unexpected changes, I found I might be ready to make a totally new flavor instead of sticking with more of the same. I have been in the same line of work for over 25 years, retailing high fashion jewelry through a wonderful, Biblically-based direct sales company. This business changed and challenged me in so many ways from personal development skills to leadership to finding my extroverted side when called upon. It also incredibly blessed my family financially over the years. So when the 2020 state of our world caused this company to close unexpectedly last year, it was quite a lot to take in. Although I had been slowing down over the past several years, it was still always there as a way to earn instant income when needed. So
Heart Communication with My Adult Children
Last week I was listening to the “More Than Small Talk” podcast and one of the hosts, Suzy Eller, said something that I cannot get out of my head. Which is a really good thing. In fact, I had to stop drying my hair, rewind it, and go write it in my journal. She was sharing about how this past year she had made some blunders with decisions and the people around her. As she had been praying about it, she has started running her words through this filter: “How would it make my heart feel if someone said to me what I’m about to say?” I know! Convicting, right?? This thought stayed in my mind as I went throughout the weekend. I asked God to show me areas where I speak in a way that might make someone close down instead of building them up. And I was
