Here in South Florida many homes have a sliding glass door leading from the interior of the home to a screened-in lanai. The other night, my husband invited me to sit with him in the lanai. Though it was a beautiful evening, I am not the best at being still and quiet. And I could... Continue Reading →
Loosening my Grip
Given my crippling fear of flying, it is hard to imagine that in my early 30s I actually jumped out of a plane. It was a crisp fall day amid the cornfields of rural Illinois, when my friend, Gina, and I were suited up with a toggle line that would open our parachutes once we... Continue Reading →
Yes, YOU!
Are you familiar with the childhood clapping-chant that begins with the query, “Who stole the cookies from the cookie jar?” This is followed by a pointed accusation and a subsequent denial. (“Mama stole the cookies… Who me?… Yes, you!… Couldn’t be!… Then who?”) Moral ambiguity aside, the exchange is a fun way to practice clapping... Continue Reading →
A Word from Wordle?
I was headed to the kitchen of my parent's Florida home, when I noticed their bedroom door was ajar. It was after ten, past their bedtime, which was curious. I peeked through the opening and caught sight of the two of them on their knees side by side, heads bowed. They were in their late... Continue Reading →
On Waiting
I'm holding out a treat out for our six-month old puppy who sits with great expectation. (Did you know there are "high stakes treats"? For Lena, it's a morsel of smoked chicken.) But then comes the challenge. "STAAAAY!!" I back away and stare her down while counting slowly. Our goal is five. But Lena loses... Continue Reading →
God Sent Me a Card
Well, not exactly. On a recent Sunday afternoon an Amazon box was plopped at our front door. When I opened it, I was disappointed. I meant to order a box of individual note cards with Bible verses on them. Instead, what Amazon thought I wanted was one single giant card with one giant verse. I... Continue Reading →
Where is he?
“Thank you for this food. Thank you for our family. And thank you for being with us." I placed a bowl of mixed vegetables and chicken nuggets in front of my three-year-old granddaughter. “WHERE IS HE?“ she demanded. She looked around the kitchen as if to find God sitting on a nearby bar stool. “Well,... Continue Reading →
A Trust Fall
Last Sunday during church, Wendy (pseudonym) leaned over to me and whispered a prayer request. Her three-month old grandson was in the hospital, struggling with a respiratory virus. "Please pray!" Then she did something unexpected. She put her hand over her mouth and said these words into her hand, "Lord, I trust you for baby... Continue Reading →
My Precious
We were driving home from visiting family when I realized my phone was not in my purse. It was exactly where I had left it - on a coffee table next to my adorable grand babies who were adorned in full princess attire and whom I was trying to video. "Should we go back?" my... Continue Reading →
When you see a drone…
I really wanted to honk.The light was green and the SUV in front of me was not moving. The driver must be texting. I was late for an appointment and my blood pressure was rising. I decided to ever so gently tap-tap the horn, but as I did so a jarring honk blasted forth. And... Continue Reading →
At the Podium
My palms were sweaty. I stumbled on words, restarting sentences. I paced the basement floor. Codie, our affable golden retriever, glanced up from her morning nap, clearly annoyed. If this is how nervous I am within the four walls of my house, how on earth am I going to pull off a speech in the... Continue Reading →
Squashing your ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)
In the words of many a Bachelorette or Bachelor, I am "in my head" WAY too much. If seven positive comments are voiced - sandwiching in a single halfway negative comment - guess where my brain will go? The Bible says, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7. Well I... Continue Reading →
Encouragement Verses
My niece is sending the following verses to her son as he embarks on his Ranger training in rural Georgia. We may not be facing Ranger-like tests, but when we grow faint-hearted, weary, tired, may these promises bring us hope and encouragement. "Do you not know? Have you not heard that the Lord, the everlasting... Continue Reading →
Living Bigger
"I think I ruined my friend's retirement plan," the speaker joked. "My friend had been aggressively planning for the day when he could quit his job and do nothing but play golf. Now, I love golf. But how much golf can you actually play? I decided to challenge his plan. So, when you get to Heaven,... Continue Reading →
A Prayer Game Changer
In the midst of praying, a voice murmurs, "Really, now... you actually believe God cares about THIS? And really, now, has God truly forgiven you for THAT?" My prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling. One would think I could squelch this voice - being a decades long follower of Jesus. Lately, however, I've discovered... Continue Reading →
Shadows and Shelters 