My Thoughts and Stories
Personal Reflections and Fun Memories
As I reflect on my life, I realize how truly blessed I am. It was that time when I walked through great loss that I found many treasures. Though there was struggle and darkness through the way, I mostly saw light in the midst of pain. It is my hope in sharing what I’ve found that you too may be encouraged and inspired. God bless.
Do You REALLY Know What’s Best for Someone Else?
On more than one occasion, I thought I knew exactly what was best for my son. I boldly informed God of that. And I'm sure he smiled with amusement when he compared my shortsightedness against the perfection of his grand plan. You probably have had similar...
Two Things to Remember About God-Sized Dreams
Awhile ago I spent a week with God and a small group of ministry leaders. This was our tenth year meeting together. One of the messages, given by Christin Ditchfield Lazo (www.ChristinDitchfield.com), touched me deeply and I want to share a couple of her points (in...
Celebrating Four Years and Counting!
This article is from October 2017. Four years ago this month, I was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. Twenty-eight years ago, I arrived home in October from a bone marrow transplant for recurring breast cancer. And 27 years ago in October, I accepted Jesus into my...
What Reminds You of God’s Love?
In her book, Extraordinary in the Ordinary, Lanie Ehlinger, suggests praying and choosing something in nature that reminds you of the Lord's great love for you personally. She chose ladybugs and yellow butterflies. For me, hearing the male red cardinal and seeing...
Avoid This Big Mistake in the Garden and in Life
In August every year, I begin to see signs of neglect in neighborhood gardens. Potted plants look brown and shriveled from lack of water. Weeds are the size of small bushes. Shrubbery is straggly from lack of pruning. We all like the vibrant growth of spring, the...
Why Bother?
"I planted two dozen broccoli plants yesterday," my mother said, "and five of them disappeared last night." My petite, then seventy-three-year-old mother was visibly discouraged. "I guess the rabbits ate them." Hours later, after a trip to the local nursery, she...
What is Wrong with Being Sympathetic?
Understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy can make all the difference for people who are hurting. "I thought I was supposed to be sympathetic," you may be wondering. "Isn't being sympathetic enough?" When you are sympathetic, you are kind. You care and...
3 Ways to Download Courage
In 2017 I spent a week with two women whose lives were in danger because of their work for Jesus. While each woman had credible threats on her life, they both had little, if any, anxiety. They continued to concentrate on the task they each felt called to do. I walked...
Once and Done?
Spring is upon us and so are the weeds. I often hear inexperienced gardeners make comments like, "Will I ever get ahead of the weeds? They keep popping up." While we might yearn for a weed-free garden, the reality is we will never experience it this side of heaven. ...
What Weighing You Down? It’s time to take out the trash
It’s the first month of the new year and maybe you’ve committed to losing a few pounds. But even the best intentions to eat well and exercise can be sabotaged by last year’s emotional trash. Emotional trash is any negative thoughts, feelings and attitudes such as...
