God Dims Himself
Good morning... I searched high and low, downstairs and up, trying to find the book containing the quote God laid upon my heart. During my early morning prayer time, I sensed somehow that at least one of you needs these words today. So I searched for the book, searched and searched. I finally found my well-worn copy of Paula D'Arcy's Gift of the Red Bird. Skimming underlined page after underlined page, my eyes savor [...]
We Are Naughty And Nice
Good morning... "Dear Santa," the sign outside the restaurant reads, "what if we are naughty and nice?" We chuckle because we relate. Then we open our Bible to read about the 'naughty and nice' war raging within us. For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it [...]
Prayerfully Prioritize
Good morning... We had discussed driving together so she called to confirm plans. After talking a bit, she said, "I was thinking I would go, I'd like to go, but I'm not sure going would be the best use of my time." After tossing possibilities back and forth, back and forth, I said, "Okay. Why don't you take some time to pray over the option you think is God's choice for you. Then, when [...]
God Brushes The Air
Good morning... As I sat in dense, inching traffic at 5:45 pm, I felt gratitude gradually grow. With the winter sun setting early, I was unexpectedly stopped, stilled in awe. I watched God at work, painting playful pastels in the evening sky. Had I focused my eyes on the bumper to bumper frustration, anger and anxiety would have welled up from within. Instead, my gaze was invited upward to enjoy the LORD's lush, living [...]
Gratitude Loosens Grief
Good morning... Two emails came to me simultaneously. One simply said, 'GR8FUL,' indicating the single word one subscriber would put on her license plate. The other subscriber wrote, "I have found the grief to begin to loosen its grip on me as my gratitude catches up with the sadness. Eventually all I am left with is gratitude, love and a light heart." God's timing involves no coincidence. Maybe one focus word for all of [...]
From Plate To Soul
Good morning... If I sat behind your car at a red light, content with my 'Listener' license plate, I might discover these words inviting me from your personalized plate into the center of your soul. 'Caregiver.' 'Hopeful.' 'Mother.' 'Loving.' 'Teacher.' 'Sunshine.' 'Mover.' 'Quiet.' 'Saved.' 'Learner.' 'Sensitive.' 'Encourager.' 'Encourager.' 'Encourager.' 'Encourager.' One of you wrote, "Before children, my word was 'Thinker.' Today I think it is 'Feeler.' Not sure if I might change again once [...]
Unresolved Grief
Good morning... "Is grief ever really resolved?" I wonder to myself. The lives of some loved ones have ended abruptly. Others have endured a long, harsh season of dying. All are deeply missed by those who live on. As I walk alongside many grieving people, I wonder, "Is grief ever really resolved?" 'Resolve' is an interesting verb. In Latin, the root word means to untie or unfasten. To loosen or release. To dissolve or [...]
Quiet Opinions. Practice Empathy
Good morning... A soulmate subscriber, whom I have never met, sent me two quotes in response to my blog post yesterday. First she shared this truth: "Listening is the highest form of love." I adore this sentence! What wise encouragement. When we attentively listen we are actively loving. Next she quoted Bill Bullard: "Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge is [...]
One Word On A License Plate
Good morning... 'Artist'. Sitting at a red light, I read 'Artist' on the the license plate in front of me. First, I admire this person's ability to own his or her creative identity so concisely, so boldly, so publicly. Second, I think, "If I had one word to put on my own license plate, what might it be?" I prayerfully ponder. I stay with my question. I trust God's Holy Spirit to answer. Then [...]
We Are Martha-Mary
Good morning... Last week at our final Monthly Listening Group of the semester, we read aloud the Martha and Mary story (Luke 10:38-42). Since Wednesday morning, the story has continued to percolate in me. The first time through the sacred reading, we looked at the story through the eyes of Martha. As I continue to personalize her experience, I am transformed. At first I, Martha, feel honored to open my home to Jesus, but [...]
Comfort Clothes
Good morning... Pondering yesterday's post it dawns on me: "I not only enjoy my back door people, I simply adore my comfort clothes." Long kept clothes feel like favorite friends, soft and cozy, well-worn, trusted. A beloved cubby in my closet hosts a stash of baggy pants, outdated sweaters, and anything velour. Do you have a similar stash? We all love our comfort clothes. Beyond their safe softness, special memories have been woven into [...]
Back Door People
Good morning... "You are definitely a back door person," he said as I left the party last night. "Most everyone else came through the front door, but not you, you are a back door person. You should write a blog about that." I went out the door and down the back stairs, jumped in my car and drove straight home. Hopping on my computer, I now write my blog 'about that.' We all need [...]