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Moving Toward Thanks
Tomorrow will be November, the beginning of the 11th month of the calendar year. And what a year! Who knew when the champagne was flowing, the ball dropping and people celebrating the birth of 2020 that we would traverse the choppy waters of what has happened in the past months? Some of us have lost jobs, loved ones or perhaps lived with anxiety. Some of us have been ill and recovered. As October winds to a close, I am intentionally focusing on a mindset of gratitude. I love the Thanksgiving holiday. It is definitely a favorite. Tomorrow I will start, with renewed enthusiasm, my daily “Thank You, God” trek. It’s…
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Listening Up
It was the middle of night. Isn’t that the way it always goes? One minute sound asleep, the next in a semi-wakeful state in the middle of a prayer. I don’t know about you, but this happens to me all the time. It’s like when my physical self goes to sleep my eternal self wakes up and gets busy. This particular night – just this week, I was troubled, sad and lonely. There were a lot of things going on in my mind. You know – those life-things with no answers. “What ifs” and “Whys“. Even though I’m old enough to have learned these questions aren’t typically a helpful trajectory,…
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Kindness & Charity
Aren’t these unusual times in which we are living? King Solomon told us “there is nothing new under the sun.” That must be, because rumor has it he was the wisest man who ever lived- but some of the things that are happening just now seem unpleasantly new. And frankly, I wish they would go away. So, I got thinking about Abraham Lincoln. Those were dark, hideous days in our country. Cousins, brothers, Americans were greatly divided and fighting to the death. Estimates say there were between 650,000 and 850,000 casualties. Can you begin to imagine the heartbreak and sorrow from those staggering losses? I can’t. I try to envision…
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What I Saw
Last night I had the most intense dream I’ve had in a few years. Was it a dream? Not sure. Mom was here. She was totally herself – and more. I loved seeing her. She was whirling and happy and full of life. She was dressed to the hilt! She looked beautiful – and happy. And still, she let me know she was here for me. Somehow she knew I needed her. Every moment today I have felt like if I turned quickly enough, I could catch a glimpse of her. Three years. She will be gone three years in a week and a half. I will never get “used…
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Verbs
“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” Col. 3:15 NIV Yesterday we were talking about glowing. Today let’s up it a notch and talk about ruling. What does ruling mean anyway? According to Dictionary.com, one definition is: “to control or direct; exercise dominating power, authority, or influence over; govern...” So, as I lay drifting off to sleep last night I was listening to Abide, an app I listen to every night. The story last night was talking about the peace of Christ ruling in our lives. If we…
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Let it Shine
Sometimes life is strange. There are moments when everything seems crystal clear and “proper”. Then, suddenly something unseen shifts and things may feel confused and out of sorts. Have you been there? The past month has been uphill. Very uphill. There were moments of intense doubt, wondering why the heck am I here? What is the point – other than to care for my dog? Those who know me may be surprised by this, because I tend toward optimism. I’m usually at least a “half-full” kind of girl. I will confess the static of doubt has been difficult in the past weeks. Which leads me to to wonder if I…
