Ode to Mom

My mom is 86 today. Today we celebrate Julie.

She asked on my dad’s birthday what I remembered about him. So today we will remember some things about mom.

Very disciplined. Reads her Bible every morning with her cup of black coffee. She journals too. Tim thinks when we read it she will have a lot to say about him.

She prays. Anytime I tell her something bad, good or in between, I know she prays about it. She prays for us, her kids, our kids, the great grands, her friends, her pastor, her church, people all over the world.

Lunch is the big meal. She still cooks and eats her big meal in the middle of the day. It’s amazing that such a tiny person can eat so much. But, if she cannot swallow one more M & M, she’ll leave it on the counter. (Seriously – one M & M.)

Loves chocolate. I definitely inherited this. She will buy herself cookies and chocolate chips and hide them in the pantry so they won’t be a distraction to me. I’m not always so disciplined. She will celebrate today with some Pizzelle’s chocolate https://www.pizzellesconfections.com/ and some cake at my brother’s house.

She doesn’t complain. We never know if she hurts or is uncomfortable unless we ask her directly. And even then, she usually side steps the question. I could definitely model this more in my life.

She loves to laugh. She loves it when Tim teases her about hiding her alcohol under the floor in her room. Or when he reminds her to clean up the solo cups before we come home.

She loves Xena, the wonder dog. Now that it’s warmer, mom will make a cup of coffee or grab something sweet after lunch and go outside to the back porch. Xena knows the time and is waiting by the door for her.

I know she misses dad. I asked her once why did she let dad continue to travel overseas with all of his health and mobility issues. She traveled with him and it was very hard on her too. She said that if she did that, it would be like taking dessert away from him. He wanted to check on the missionaries and encourage them. She helped make that possible.

Thankful for you, mom. I appreciate the way you point me to Jesus. Even more so after all these years. Love you.

New week – New focus

It’s Holy Week and I have a new focus.

I have definitely been looking inward and had forgotten some things. But this week, my focus has shifted.

Holy Week begins with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and ends with the triumphant resurrection of His earthly body.

But in between – there were some hard things. Betrayal, pain, rejection, hurt, more pain and rejection. Death.

I wonder how Jesus’ mother Mary felt watching this unfold. I wonder how Mary Magdalene felt. And Peter…. Whew – from ‘I’ll never leave you’ to ‘I have no idea who that man is’ in a matter of hours.

Jesus died for them. Jesus died for me. And Jesus died for you.

And we don’t have to get cleaned up and ‘right’ first. “…God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV)

He took the penalty of all sins – past, present and future – in order to have a relationship with us. We don’t have to pay for our sins – it is finished.

We just need to believe and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Continue to surrender every area of your life. I tend to surrender and then go back and collect it again and again.

And every time, I surrender, confess, and repent, He is there. Loving me and welcoming me back.

Is something missing in your life? Do you need peace and hope? Jesus has that and more. He is there. Loving you and welcoming you as His child.

Duplicity

According to Mirriam-Webster, the definition of duplicity is “contradictory doubleness of thought speech or action.”

I feel like this defines my life right now. I know it’s not good or healthy.

I work but am extremely lazy.

I believe in Christ but have doubts.

I am a writer but succumb to the lure of the tube.

I want a tidy home but will step over the piles in my office.

I want to be healthy but will eat candy like I drink water.

I want to be an adult and be mature but sometimes it’s only my gray that shows maturity.

I want to establish routines but I fall apart after a day or two.

I want to be a woman of prayer but start scrolling after the Bible reading.

I set a daily work schedule and then don’t care when I don’t even do the first item.

I want to be excellent in all but am very content (and excellent) in mediocrity.

The apostle Paul knew about this life too.

In Romans 7:15 he wrote, “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”

Am I just a lazy Christian? Am I lukewarm? Am I a non-believer? Do I not love Jesus enough? Sigh….

Currently looking for a counselor that can help me figure out what all of this means and where it stems from. I have grown very apathetic.

It’s not a good place to be. But sometimes “known bondage is more comfortable than unknown freedom.”

Stolen Blessings

Sometimes I think I am making things easier. But, occasionally that has unexpected results.

I was scheduled to have surgery on a Thursday. I had to be there mid-day and needed a ride because Tim was in a class all week and was unavailable.

I asked our daughter in law. She readily accepted. She always is willing to help and especially loves to help family.

Well, as the date grew nearer, I changed things. I asked a friend who lived closer and had a more flexible schedule. So I canceled with my daughter in law and didn’t think a thing about it.

Until after the surgery.

Our family was blessed with meals and gift cards for a week. I had told them not to worry about it but it was indeed something we needed and were blessed because of their generosity.

And they were happy to do it. They also received a blessing knowing they helped us too.

And that’s when it clicked. I had stolen that blessing from our daughter in law.

I called to apologize and she was very gracious. She even said that someone else may have needed the blessing to help.

Friends, as the body of Christ, we are to be in community – to help and to receive help. I am a recovering independent boob who is continuing to learn to reach out and ask and to accept.

A friend I haven’t seen in months texted last night. Her mother is in surgery this morning. I’m so thankful she asked for prayer. I was pleased to do it. And to continue to do it.

My encouragement to you today – reach out. Ask. Let people help. Let people know how to pray for you. Let people inside the muck that is your life. God is moving. He is always working.

Sometimes He uses ordinary people like us.

First Time

I wanted this to happen when I was a kid- much younger than I am now.

I thought I would get some attention, some sympathy and maybe a pass on some chores.

It never happened. That is, not until last Saturday.

I broke my arm in spectacular fashion.

Xena, the wonder dog, and I were walking along the greenway. It was a beautiful day. A bit windy but, full of sun.

Under a bridge, there is a concrete pad that disappears into the creek. Sometimes Xena likes to get a drink so I got her to the water. She was not thirsty.

As I took my next step, my legs were suddenly airborne and in front of me. I instinctively put my arms out behind me and landed on my rear end. And my left arm.

I sat there for a few minutes and assessed myself. I dropped the leash but Xena didn’t wander. I also didn’t throw up from the pain. Thankful.

I called my friend who was on the same greenway. She immediately prayed and walked quickly to her car.

I’m still on the ground. Thankfully, not in the water. But it’s mossy and muddy. I was a bit timid to try to stand by myself. Finally, someone was coming closer.

I called out and asked if she could help me. She said sorry and pointed to her cell phone near her ear. Mmmm. I’m going to choose to believe she was intimidated by my German Shepherd mix who was off leash and standing alert by my side.

I got myself turned over and on my feet with a lot of prayer.

I slowly walked to the nearby school where Jill was going to pick me up. Tim was working 30 miles away but I managed to call him too. Jill and I headed for my house to grab my purse, leave Xena, update mom and then to her place to drop her dogs.

She continued to pray for favor. We were in the ER for just over an hour. It was amazing. I got in to see the doctor at SportsMed on Monday. Thankful!

I didn’t get the hard cast that I had wanted when I was a kid. No, I was told surgery was needed because the radius was broken in two places. I was in shock!

But, while I was waiting for them to replace the ER cast, I was able to wash my arm. That felt really good. It still had mud on it.

I am very grateful to usually have two good working arms and it is amazing how quickly you adapt when necessary. I never cracked an egg with one hand before. But now I have. It only took two days for my eggs not to have shells.

I have not yet mastered the art of putting my hair in a ponytail. It’s just going to stay down.

Asking for help is not a strong skill of mine but, I’m learning. Mom cuts up food like I am a child again. But, I am grateful to have bite sized chicken and apples.

I guess I am getting attention, sympathy and a pass on chores that require two hands. I definitely try to make it happen though. Lots of laughter ensues.

Friends are driving me to surgery and bringing us food. Tim has been cooking. Mom has been cleaning.

Thankful for the body of Christ to be His hands (and mine!)

Kind Words

Because I am a writer, I love words. I like to look up the meaning of unknown words. I like to use meaningful words to you, the unknown reader. (See what I did there?)

But the words I enjoy the most are the kind and unexpected words. The ones that are unsolicited. The words that aren’t required. The words that can change everything.

Thank you!

You are so friendly!

You have a great smile!

I am so glad you are here!

I appreciate the work that you did!

You are amazing!

You mean so much to me!

I see you. I know you. I love you.

Share some kind words today with a friend, family member, or a complete stranger.

And don’t forget to remind yourself too.

Adulting

Yes, I started this post with slang.

Adulting is an informal term to describe behavior that is seen as responsible and grown-up, if mundane and unpleasant—like bills and chores, according to Dictionary.com.

I’ve been above the age of 21 for sometime now. I should be used to it. I should be thriving in adulthood.

And sometimes, I am.

But then there are days like today. I just don’t want to (insert anything here.)

There are bills to pay, dishes to wash, dog hair to vacuum and a lot of clutter to clear. But I don’t want to.

But, I know it’s better for me if I do. It’s better for this household also.

The Apostle Paul states in Romans 7:11, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (ESV)

I don’t like being lazy. I don’t like wasting time. But I still do.

Shift my focus!

Everything I have comes from God. Everything I need comes from Him too.

Should I ask the Lord to help me clear the clutter? Absolutely!

Should I ask the Lord to help focus me on the mundane tasks? Yes!

All with a thankful heart! Thankful that we were able to seek and receive medical attention when we needed it. Thankful that we have the dishes to serve the food that is in our refrigerator. Thankful for the clothes we have and a machine that washes them. Thankful for the dog that brings me so much joy. Thankful that I can serve Him where I am with what I have.

Have you ever thought about that? Everything we have to worship God with – our minds, bodies, voices, hands, etc. – everything we have, came from Him.

And He has more for us. So be faithful in taking care of what He has given you today. He has more for us.

Let’s get started! Are you moving yet? Here I go!

(Originally posted May 15, 2025. But every bit relevant on this day too. Lord, please redeem this day!)

Busy Day

Hello, 2026! Woo hoo!

My once blank calendar is being filled with appointments. I have the mundane and also have things to look forward to.

Today is one of those days when there is a lot to do. I need to…I want to. How to fit it all into the day?

Our church begins each year with 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. During the week, service starts at 6am and on Saturday it’s at 9am. Building a habit to read scripture and to pray takes time. But it is so beautiful to see the line of cars pulling into the church so early in the morning.

It’s a great way to start the day. But if I am not careful, it will be just that one hour. I will leave the service and immediately start to think, “Ok, that’s done. What’s next?”

God doesn’t just want the first hour of my day. He wants my heart.

He doesn’t want to just be on my to-do list. He wants my heart.

As I was praying this morning, I was reminded that His Spirit lives in me. I carry Him with me throughout my day.

When I constantly surrender myself to Him, I hear His voice. He will tell me which way to go.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him….

In all your ways – everything you do, trust Him, don’t try to figure everything out. Submit to Him.

You want to stop being confused? Stop trying to figure everything out. Trust Him.

The verses from Proverbs 3 also come with a promise.

…and He will make your paths straight.

I have always wanted God to just give me the outline of the next year, month or day of my life. So I know what to expect. So I know how to prepare. Basically, so I can control.

But He wants me to trust Him. To submit, to surrender. To abandon my life – in all areas to Him.

And He promises to guide and direct me. He doesn’t leave me! He also promises an abundant life. His ways are higher and better.

Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief. Grow my faith and trust. I give You this day and my agenda. Help me to hear your voice.

Please join us for these prayer services. Live or on demand. Let me know if you do. (https://21days.churchofthehighlands.com/)


All Things New

Happy New Year!

The freshness of a new year – a blank slate – a fresh start – a new beginning.

That sounds good. But unless you deal with the old – thoughts, habits, attitudes, words – you are just bringing them with you into a new year.

Dealing with these things requires focus, intentional reflection and heaping amounts of courage. Some of us have been operating with this norm for so very long that it has become like a comfortable shoe.

“Known bondage is easier than unknown freedom.” I love this quote from Kristi McLelland. (https://www.instagram.com/kristimclelland)

Notice it says easier. Not better. Not more desirous. Not more helpful. Just easier.

I know it’s been said that when you get sick of yourself, that’s when you change.

And we don’t have to wait until the new year to start. Every new week, day, hour and moment begins with a choice. Do you want to remain in the same comfortable shoe of bondage?

Or do you want to experience the new norm of freedom, intimacy with God, purpose for your life, vision and wholeness?

What changes will you make to your routine? Let’s start small.

Stop saying words like – This is just who I am. I’m not going to change. There is no hope.

Words have power! Speak life over yourself. Talk with God about who He created you to be! Ask Spirit what He wants you to do today and what changes need to be made. He’ll tell you.

Remember you are not alone. Holy Spirit lives in you and will guide you.

The enemy can’t steal your soul if you belong to Jesus. He can only make you ineffective and mediocre in your life.

Jesus came that you might have an abundant life. Choose!

Merry, truly Merry

I have been in a terrible mood for awhile. I have been unkind in my mind and in my actions.

But, the Lord met me – when I chose to focus on Him and ask what I needed to see.

Holy Spirit, reveal to me people I haven’t forgiven and sins which I haven’t repented.

Whew! The list is long (and it continues to grow.)

But Spirit met me there with such tenderness and love.

Lord, continue to grow my faith and trust. Thank you for never being unfaithful.

Merry Christmas to all!