Pandemic Practices: Thoroughly Savoring God’s Creation
I’m more citified than countrified. That’s not to say that the lone prairie, a chicken fried steak or a melancholy Willie Nelson ballad never dazzle me. But I’m more of a French dining and Flamenco dancing kind of girl when the rubber meets Fifth Avenue. Yet I’m becoming surprisingly passionate about one of my new pandemic practices, thoroughly savoring God’s creation. Urban Renewal So like a snake with a skin ready to be shed, the urbanite in me underwent a metamorphosis during the shut down. Exercising, shopping, dining, grooming – all that previously took place primarily indoors. Suddenly, out was really “in.” Boxed in inside our homes, my hubby and…
Silver Linings Playbook: How God Can Heal Us In Lock Down
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” That’s a line from the celebrated 23rd Psalm. Whenever I am getting blood drawn, or prepped for surgery, this is the Psalm I recite in my mind. I had to memorize it in school as a child. God is making all of us lie down right now, alright. Many of us are under house arrest. But thankfully in His inimitable silver linings playbook, God can heal us all in lock down. If we partner with him in it. A few weeks ago, I was listening to a teaching about a chapter in Genesis. The Lord suddenly spoke to me and said, “Are…
Lemonade From Lemons: How God Transforms Bitter Into Sweet
As we move through life, we experience an unpredictable mix of pleasure and pain, joy and sorrow. As we grow older, we become more aware of adversity and its affect on our lives. But if we recognize God’s ability to make lemonade from lemons, we see how God transforms bitter into sweet. Though it isn’t always a rollicking adventure, the process can be a fulfilling and satisfying one with the proper attitude. Approaching Life as A Lab of Learning The key to accepting the lemonade lifestyle involves adjusting expectations. This can be challenging in a world where indulgence is culturally in vogue. Alas, sacrifice is passe. People enter into relationships…
Twisting Away From God’s Plans
Who doesn’t rejoice over the beautiful, abundant seasons with God? We feel so in synch when we are reasonably happy with our circumstances and in harmony with His plans and purposes. But before we know it, we find ourselves running with scissors, twisting away from God’s plans. How on Earth did we end up there? How does one end up going from cloud nine to the bottom of the abyss?Out of our deep love for the Lord comes a desire to please Him and do what He asks us to do, at least in general. But there are times in our walk when He makes it clear He wants us…
Serendipity: Falling Through A Trap Door of Blessing
You may know the old Irish blessing “May the road rise up to meet you.”May you succeed on the road” is the literal meaning. The song goes on to mention a desire for more favorable winds to blow from the rear rather than in head-on fashion. There’s a petition for sunshine to warm the face and for lavish rains to fall on the thirsty outlying fields. The closing line asks God to hold the traveler in the palm of His mighty hand. Yet Life hands out its share of lemons. It’s not likely you’ll be traipsing carefree through the land of Oz indefinitely. It is, however, possible to encounter the…
Scare Away Nagging Skeletons With Patience & Prayer
Scary decorations are up for Halloween. But it may be time to address some skeletons in our own closets. Let’s get down to the bone marrow. Scare away nagging skeletons with patience and prayer. This is my goal for October. Honestly, if I had a hundred dollars for every nagging suggestion I’d made, the world would be my oyster! My oldest son and my spouse bore the brunt of it throughout their lives. My autistic, mostly non-verbal son once had enough of my “suggestions” and finally said “good boy.” That was his way of letting me know he was trying his best. Ouch. Nagging by definition is constantly harassing a…
A Rested Development: Tortoise Vs. Hare
Picture it: someone takes a saw. They cut out your old kneecap and replace it with a ball bearing joint. Slow and steady. This proved more agonizing than I’d ever imagined six months ago. I originally envisioned some minor discomfort while recuperating. I pictured myself surrounded by fragrant flowers. Sipping lattes in bed. I’d forge through my stack of books. Undertake mindless craft projects. Instead I received a rested development: tortoise vs. the hare. In a manner of speaking. Yeah, that didn’t happen. Instead, there were midnight crying jags, grueling exercises and med management exercises. Fortunately, my future included a rested development: Slow and steady wins the race. Life is…
Holding On Instead of Letting Go
This is an amplified excerpt from my upcoming book “The Side Door: Welcoming God’s Divine Detours.” What are you twisting away from that God is trying to lead you towards? It’s easy to rejoice in and with God in our beautifully abundant seasons when we feel close to him. It’s a cinch when we are reasonably happy with our circumstances and in harmony with his plans and purposes. I pray if you are in that season that you are basking in the moment. Because more than likely your next challenge is probably just around the corner. Out of our deep Love for the Lord comes a desire to please Him…
