My Sweet Surrender to God’s Game Plan
I keep thinking of “The Lion King” and the circle of life theme that runs throughout the film. Right now we’re in a different kind of loop. It’s more like a Bermuda triangle. But it has four sides rather than three. In this current scenario I’m focusing on my sweet surrender to God’s game plan. If you read the fine print of many shampoo bottles, you’ll find instructions to lather, rinse and repeat. I’ve always wondered whether shampoo companies want to sell you more product so they tell you to wash your hair twice, or if it really takes two rounds of cleansing to get the job done. Marketing or…
Astonishing Insights From God’s Messengers
As we journey through life, we experience a wide variety of experiences. There are the joyful mountaintop moments. We also face deep, challenging valley periods. In between the two lies a vast expanse of less dramatic day to day living. Nestled in the everyday encounters with others are astonishing insights from God’s messengers. Our messengers don’t necessarily arrive decked in wings. And they may or may not be angels. But they are appointed by God to speak truth, encourage and guide us to do God’s will. I would like to share a few of the encounters I’ve had of this kind. I’m hoping these stories will prompt you to recognize…
Being Clearly Seen, Fully Known & Deeply Loved By God
I’m in a fog of sorts right now, even though it’s 64 degrees and sunny with clear visibility in my ‘ hood. My cataract surgery: postponed! My ears are stopped up and I can’t taste or smell anything due to my cold. So today my sense of touch and my spiritual sense assume the sensory load. However, my impaired vision lead me to a number of epiphanies. In this moment, I wonder just what it really means for me that I’m being clearly seen, fully known and deeply loved by God. God Spies with His Inimitable Eyes I find there’s so much to learn in my newfound “blindness.” I choose…
Cataracts & Other Painful Corrections
In a charming candle lit dining room in Montreal, efficient waiters are delivering seafood platters one after the other. Several tables are laid out in close proximity. As I contemplate my options, I lean into the diner next to me. “Excuse me,” I ask, ” what’s that type of shellfish on your platter?” With crinkled brow, a fresh faced ingenue leans over and says, giggling, “Um, that’s the hot sauce bottle!” This embarrassing incident marked the beginning of a journey involving cataracts and other painful corrections. Eyesight & Epiphany It wasn’t the first or the last time I’d end up red faced about my impaired vision. Or feel like a…
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…
Trading Adversity For Abundance
Orange you ready for fall/autumn? Ugh. Ok that’s corny. You know, as in Indian corn! I can’t help myself! I hauled out my orange shoes and am starting to get a craving for – you guessed it- candy corn! Corn aside, it’s safe to say autumn’s here. Tiptoe across a blanket of butterscotch leaves if you’re lucky enough to live where the seasons change. Inhale the heady aromas of pumpkin lattes. Put on a simmering pot of spices and fill your home with notes of nutmeg and cinnamon. Set your DVR for the Hallmark love stories with an autumn flair. Curl up on the couch for a viewing party. Gently cradle…
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…
