I want the infusion of Jesus in my life. For this is the leaven of life. Not the profession of Him.Not the profession of Christianity.Not nicely summed up in a little meme. Not the confession of Jesus.Not confession alone.Not nicely coined words and phrases. Certainly not the pretension of Jesus. A house of cards testimony.Woven […]
Living Gratefully and Aware
Gratitude for what I am given is something I never want to take for granted. I’m no more deserving. I’m not extra special. I most often feel like a misfit. Yet, I often wonder and ponder why I have a home and fresh water when half-a-world away, the children we sponsor with @compassion, often struggle for […]
Cultivating What I Consume
What we consume, begins to consume us. When I dwell on negatives, I become sour, stifled, tight-fisted, grumbly, grumpy, fearful, anxious, bitter. At best, it produces less-than-living. Less than desirable. Less than encouraging. Less than uplifting. Less than inspiring. Less than glorifying. Less than trusting. Less than hoping. Less than joyful. Less than peaceful. Less […]
It Reminds Me
Lightning flickers in the wee hours of dark and splays a light show across our curtained bedroom window. Thunder rumbles deep in the distance and raindrops echo off of eaves. Blinking sleepy eyes, I roll over, listen, lean against my good farmer man, and let slumber beckon me back. The spring storm splatters its wind […]
Intentional Resolve and Choosing To Make a Difference
I underlined the words with my fingertip and laid my Bible in my lap. Gazing out the window, I thought about the words I’d just read. Words pointing towards waiting, resolving, and making an intentional difference in a loved one’s life. I knew waiting was not my strong point. Sitting in settled stillness or practical […]
Practicing Gratitude
Gratitude pulls us away from focusing on problems and points us toward the positive. Gratitude reminds us of all that’s good. Gratitude says, “I choose to pause and say thank-you.” At it’s absolute best, life still offers overwhelm and difficult decisions. When the extra difficult shows up, it demands leaning with especial intention on the […]
Books and Podcasts That May Be Exactly What You Need Right Now
Good day, friends! Kansas is showing off beautiful this morning. Blue, blue skies. Rolling out the puffy white clouds because they look so fantastic with the blue as a backdrop. Green wheat waving. Spring blooms swaying. Truly magnificent! Our world is full of noise, isn’t it? Even in ordinary days, we all have a lot […]
I Never Missed a Moment
On a Wednesday morning, I attend the commemoration of a life well-lived. The celebration of graduating from this body of skin and bones and sinew, housing soul and spirit, into the presence and majesty of Jesus. Can we only imagine sitting face to face, completely enveloped and warmed by His extravagant love?! Truly experiencing the […]
Five Ways I’ve Found to Fight Back Against the Voices of Failure, Fear, and Futile Discouragement
I’ve spent enough days on this spinning planet, listened to enough stories, cares, and heartache, and fought them myself too many times to count. I’ve found they attack old and young alike. I know them to be sneaky and the meanest kind of mean. I’ve come to believe no one is exempt, no one never […]
Press. Hold. Spray.
I stare into the mirror and I press the nozzle on the hairspray and I spray making circles all around the front and back to hold my flyaway hair in place. I pause. Then, I press it again and repeat the hairspray path. I think I’m not just spraying my hair in place. Deep down, […]
Jesus King My Everything
My heart it aches, my head is bowed Clenched fists so tight, Do I know how? To open up these palms, relax? Come to Him and simply ask? For sweet relief from striving to, Do it all and do, do, do, And pause instead, remembering, He bore the nails so long ago, And died a […]
An Excerpt From The Reminder of A God Who Sees Me
I cried over a kitten this morning. It felt dumb and ridiculous. It felt compassionate too, yet the critic in my head condemned me for crying over a kitten when I so often fail in my desire to have a deeper compassion for other people. It felt small and silly, for I could easily count […]
Hope and a Humble Pink Pumpkin
I’d never gifted anyone with a pumpkin before. It seemed sort of strange really, but once the idea presented itself, I was irrationally struck by it. I’d gifted pots of flowers in the spring or chosen a hanging basket as a Mother’s Day present. I’d delivered floral arrangements and arranged bouquets myself to brighten someone’s […]
Season My Words With Kind
Lord, guard my mouth, Control my speech, Season my words with kind. Let peace and goodness flow through me, Renew my soul and mind. Direct my tongue, the words I speak, Love poured upon them all, So I may bless, not cause distress, to others, grown or small. Lord, help me to refrain from speech, […]
Delighting in God Whispering in Creation
My blog tagline is Delighting in the Daily Details and I have long focused on looking for the beauty and loveliness God has written all through our lives for us to behold! This morning I see Him in the sunlight filtering through fern fronds on my porch, rosebuds in vases on my table, and in […]
The Golden Precious Moments We’re Beholding
My toffeenut caramel coffee on the table in front of me, I scroll through Instagram and message two dear friends. The quiet hum of morning surrounds me and my phone chirps an incoming call. I read the name on the screen and smile. I greet my caller with a cheery good morning and her voice of over-ninety-years […]