A Hard Email To Write
Good morning... Every year I gift words from my school-year blogs to Northside Church, where I am the Women's Ministry Director, and the Creative Arts department creates for our community an online summertime devotional. For June, July, and August my messages are recycled in a new order, given a title, and adorned with beautiful cover art. This year's devotional is entitled "Lingering on the Line." At the end of May, you will have an [...]
God Overrides My Imperfection
Good morning... Today I wake to the perfect "Verse of the Day" from Bible Gateway, the online site that helps me to treasure hunt for companioning Scriptures for each of my morning messages. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus [...]
She Lives. She Lives.
Good morning... Late last month, I sent out an email to inner circle friends who had been a part of Julie Harlan's celebration of life service. May 2nd was the one month anniversary of Julie's passing from cancer, so I decided to host in my home a lunch for Julie's spiritual friends who have become like family to one another. With God I prayerfully prepared my home that morning. Out of the blue, I [...]
Naming Our Spiritual Family
Good morning... I sensed God concluding yesterday's message with this deep desire: "Connected to our Creator, I want me, the real me, and you, the real you, to mature into the unique people God is coaxing us to be." This concept had expanded from an vivid picture of the lasting mother/child bond painted on Mother's Day morn to a life-giving, everyday relationship with each person we meet. Jesus expands further our mutually beneficial relationships [...]
What Do I Really Want?
Good morning... After reading and re-reading yesterday's post, "What do I want for Mother's Day?" I deepened my thoughts for everyday living. What do I really want each day of my life? I want me, the real me. I want my best self to keep coming around. I want to be the kind of person with whom family and friends, strangers and soulmates genuinely want to spend time. I want each of us to [...]
What Do I Really Want For Mother’s Day?
Happy Mother's Day... "Every year my children ask me the same question," wrote a mother on her Facebook page. "After thinking about it, I decided I'd give them my real answer." She continued: "What do I want for Mother's Day? I want you. I want you to keep coming around. I want you to bring your kids around. I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for [...]
When We CAN’T Cry
Good morning... "Sue - your tears messages resound with me," writes another subscriber. "I am still the primary caregiver for my 93 year old mother. She has regressed terribly fast. I have quit my part time job. I am always seeking God's direction on how best to adapt her home into her private nursing home. She can no longer stand or walk. We have to physically lift her on and off potty, bed, lift [...]
Why Did God Make Tears?
Good morning... A friend who has thrived through many transitions sent me the lyrics and the link to her favorite music video. If there is any link to touch on for two minutes of encouragement, this is one special gift I hope you will give to yourself. I am grateful, first, that God hand-builds for each of us a deep well for our tears and, second, that music can help us dip down for [...]
Tears Lead Us Home
Good morning... When I posted yesterday's message, "The gift of tears," I did know know I would be crying within a few short hours. As he told his personal story through heaving waves of tears, he struggled to say, "These have been the best years of my life." His gut-wrenching tears wrenched my gut and I began to cry. His honest tears ignited my tears and together we wet our splotchy cheeks. A clear [...]
The Gift Of Tears
Good morning... She expressed concerned over crying so much. So I wrote to her my thoughts about the gift of tears. Grief is an unpredictable thing. "Crying so much lately" may feel like "going backward" instead of "making headway," but I think tears are a sign of the Holy Spirit deeply at work. Tears tenderize us and express overwhelming emotions. Tears release penned up pain and give voice to unspeakable words. Tears accompany our [...]
Feeding Our Faith And Courage Muscles
Good morning... Heading into a difficult day, a close friend wrote to request my prayers of solidarity. God crafted through me the message below, a message I sense He wants all of us to experience. As we face various challenges requiring the brute strength of what my friend calls our "faith and courage muscles," we tap into the power of God Almighty. I prayerfully emailed my friend the following encouragement. After some edits, I [...]
May Is A Month Of Change
Good morning… A well-loved subscriber from Jacksonville, Florida often sends me words of loving encouragement. This week she sent me the 5.4.17 blog of Maureen Ahearn Cully entitled "Begin with the End in Mind." I resonate with these words as our oldest son graduates from college today and my youngest daughter graduates from high school next Sunday. I am grateful Cully shares God's eternal wisdom. "May is a month of change – it has [...]