Hey Everyone! So fun to see my article in a magazine! Enjoy! PS that is NOT a picture of our wreathe!! HA Lucky page 7!!
Joy in the Mundane
Here is something exciting! My piece was published in the Spring Issue of Joyful Living Magazine, 2020.
Name Your Year to AIM Your Year!
I love the excitement that comes with the start of each new year: a blank page filled with promise. For me, early mornings offer this same feeling of anticipation, much like the excitement before you jump off the low diving board. Well, New Year’s Eve is the high dive! Although I love the hope of New Year’s Eve, I don’t do resolutions. Instead, for years I have selected a word to focus on for the coming year. There seems to be a growing trend of this practice, which I love. Some of my words have lasted for more than one year. The word wouldn’t release me. Each word has had a positive impact on me, by bringing clarity to some area of my life. I focused on hope for two years when my circumstances were grim during my divorce. As I have focused on a word, I have found myself reading literature through that lens and then journaling about it. It has often led me to the next step in my journey. I share this with you in the hope that some of you might want to pause and consider selecting a word for yourself this year. I recently asked a newcomer to my annual neighborhood New Year’s Eve party what his word could be for 2018. I watched him pause, and then it seemed as if his word quite naturally floated to the surface, and he responded: “courage.” I saw in him, and have seen in many others, the same kind of response. It’s as if their hearts know deep down what is best for their minds to be exploring in the coming year. This year my word is reforged. One reason for this focus is a desire to use what I have learned and to strengthen, rebuild and create something new. So, dear friends, will you pause and listen to what your word could be? I would love to hear your word if you would like to share…
WHACK!
WHACK! Have you ever been hit in the head and it hurts…a lot? How about when it hits you in the heart? It’s the kind of “hit” deep down inside that SHOUTS that this is something you need to do or think about. You know it is somehow bigger than the actual thought itself. Well, today I had a rather healthy dose of WHACK to my heart. I won’t go into the details, but am here to encourage us all. If you have a thought that is whispering or whacking in your heart, it may be time to listen. If this post resonates, you know you have something to add to your to do list. Whack!
Dare to Dream With Me...
We all know someone who has a story about themselves or their parents and how they MISSED an opportunity to live out their dream. Perhaps it was to invest in a stock, patent an idea, go for the girl, or open a car wash. For them, the unlived dream came and went. For some who didn’t take the step, it might be filled with deep regret. Still others are ok with how things have landed.
For me, I feel compelled to dream and driven to pursue the same, but let me say it is not without cost. Creating my Facebook page and sharing my dream of being an author left me feeling exposed and nervous. Even writing this post leaves me feeling vulnerable. But maybe THIS transparency is the exact point of it all. Maybe I can encourage you to take a first step in your dream. This is a dreamer’s journey. But how could I be so bold as to post my dream for everyone to see? I mean some people knew, but now everyone knows. I put it on social media for heaven’s sake! Who am I to say I am an author? Am I a fake? So I looked for some honest answers. I asked other writers and artists and they told me they have had similar struggles. I looked to my old, reliable red covered Webster’s Dictionary for a definition of author, and found the first definition: the writer of a book, article, etc.
OK, according to Webster I am not a fake. So why this inner struggle? I mean, who am I to believe that my dream will become a reality? So, after two sleepless nights and lots of prayers, I have found I am more grounded with some answers and am reminded that the very question of “Who am I, Lord?” has been asked before. I am amongst a long list of people who believed they were doing something which they felt was bigger than they believed they could do. Yes, God works through uneventful people. But we are promised to be instructed and equipped until the work is complete. So, who will listen to the dream seed that was placed in them and press on through the growing process and run the race set before themselves? Will you dare to dream with me? What’s your dream? Volunteering for a worthy cause? Creating the worthy cause? Opening a business? Opening a restaurant? Attending the Olympics? Participating in the Olympics? Learning to golf? Hosting an event? Changing careers? Moving to a new location? Building a tree house? Going on a date? Post a dream if you dare…and expect a mental fight about why it is impossible; but be reminded, that He who began a work in you will carry it on until it is completed!
SHAME is a Five Letter Word.
Shame. Yep, it’s a five letter word for me...far worse than any “four letter word.” What’s my current trigger? If I am being honest, I feel shame while I am on this writing journey and not yet published. It’s sometimes a battle in my mind to pursue this dream. Can you relate? Have you ever pursued a goal and heard the shaming voice that says, “Who do you think you are to go for this?” Or maybe, “You don’t really believe you will achieve this, do you?”
These thoughts are “lies” that can be hard to battle. But they only have power over us when we are acting as if we believe the lies. One lie that many of us fall for is that success only happens when we land at our destination, and I know that is not truth! How do I know? Because I have experienced firsthand how people have blessed me throughout their journey to their dream destination.
For example, I am inspired when collaborating with a teacher to improve student learning or their own instruction. The end goal of student improvement isn’t the only satisfying achievement. For a teacher, everyday steps toward the end goal can be gratifying as well. I am encouraged by others starting a new garden, degree, house project, weight loss program, vacation plan, or anything! It’s your courage and bravery that is noteworthy. Will I toast and celebrate your “destination?” Of course! But I am motivated by your fortitude while you dream and struggle.
So, let’s all remember to resist listening to the shame filled voice that keeps us from our dreams and instead let’s encourage each other to listen to the voice that is leading us in love. What’s your loving voice asking you to do? Rest? Build? Create? Restore? I’d love to hear about it!
SO Thankful!
When my children were little I told them we were the richest people I knew. I stand by that comment today. In this season of gift giving, may we all remember the amazing gift of life and the many gifts we take for granted each day. Enjoy the video!
A New Space...
This small 10 X 12 bedroom has a rich 28-year history in my home. I can chronicle its colors by looking at spots inside the closet that I missed when painting. A nursery turned into a bedroom. Floors once covered in carpets, now have warm colored wooden boards. It has housed party guests and been a respite for women who have needed a place to live for a while. Now it is empty. I selfishly grieve that the years with little children living home are over. I walk around in it like a ghost from Christmas past. So, to battle this kind of thinking, I will set my mind on something creative. I will transform this space once again, but into a new place. My place. Somewhere to pray, work, write, read, goal set, create, journal, meditate, listen to music, or anything I want. I get an uneasy feeling putting my needs first. But there is a time to give and a time to receive. There is hope growing in my heart as I anticipate the next phase for this room. My Room. First I need to give My Room a name. Will you offer me some suggestions?
When God Chooses You.
I was so grateful to have this devotional hosted by Inkspirations in their January 2019 blog post!
John 15:16 New International Version (NIV)
While sitting on his lounge chair, my cousin Dennis was hand-picked. He was staring at his sparkling pool when something white flashed across his eyes. Dennis glanced up to see a white cockatiel perched above him on a branch.
Realizing it was likely someone’s pet who had flown the coop, he calmly asked, “Polly want a cracker?”
The bird swooped down and landed on his shoulder. He’d chosen my cousin. After a failed search for the original owner, Dennis began a 30-year journey of loving this bird, which he named Flingo.
Dennis studied ornithology in college and loves all animals, including snakes, mice and other scary creatures. He has owned a menagerie of pets. When I think of the chances of Flingo landing on my cousin’s shoulder, I wonder if that bird knew something about Dennis’s past experiences and education. I mean, how many ornithologists does the average person really know?
If Flingo had selected me, there probably would have been a different outcome. I would have jumped up to find a fishing net to catch him. My sudden movements, slamming doors, and swooping at him with a net might not have worked. But Dennis’s experience with animals and his calm, thoughtful response to the situation, gave Flingo the opportunity to land safely on his shoulder.
I want to respond to my writing like Dennis reacted to Flingo. When an unlikely opportunity catches my eye, there is no need to jump up and run to grab a better tool. I need to remind myself to be observant, sit patiently, remain calm, welcome it with my words, and trust God with the outcome.
Dear Father, You have chosen many unlikely people, including me. Like them, I am flawed. Please keep me calm while I wait for your Spirit’s words to alight on me. Thank you for choosing me.
Trinity Talks...A devotional if you are discouraged.
Discouragement: do you struggle with it? I do. Its ugly voice is part of my life and is loudest when I want to create, especially when I write. Yes, that voice pierces with familiar arrows when I am most vulnerable in the creative process. It whispers I am not enough and lists all the reasons for me to quit. But press on, we have intercessors.
I imagine the Holy Trinity in heaven…
“Oh Father, my sister is going to be so discouraged next year. She may even want to quit writing.”
“Yes,” Father said. “I see that.”
“What might we do?” asked Jesus.
Holy Spirit suggested: “We need to encourage her in a really creative way.”
“Yes,” Jesus responded, “But what could we do to encourage her to keep going?”
“It has to be something she can’t miss. You know how busy she is. Sometimes she doesn’t see our signs,” said Holy Spirit.
Father added, “I have noticed many of our children are too busy to notice the gifts we send.”
“But, how could we get her to notice our message?” asked Jesus. “Humm…we could have children play a part in it. She will notice kids. Remember when we created her with such a love for children?”
“Yes, that was so fun! And a mighty love for words,” added Holy Spirit.
Jesus offered, “Well, we know she is going to the writing conference next year. She will be listening to our Word for days. That will be a good time to hear from us. Maybe we should send some teens there?”
“Yes,” Father said. “There is group a group of high schoolers planning a mission trip to her area. We could have them land in the same spot for a few days.”
“That’s a great idea Father!”
Holy Spirit said, “We could make a sign. A big sign. I mean A HUGE SIGN. Maybe with huge red shoes like her main character Gabby wears. How could she miss that one?”
Jesus laughed. “Oh, Holy Spirit, how do you think of these great ideas? But what would the sign say?”
“How about KEEP GOING?”
Father considered this, “But she may keep going in the wrong direction. How about: FOLLOW?”
“AHHH yes, Father. FOLLOW. She needs to keep following us.”
Holy Spirit: “OK, so we have the time, the place, and the kids. There will be a giant sign with a clear message. This is exciting. Let’s pray she has eyes to see.”
“And ears to hear,” added Jesus.
“Amen,” said Father.
In unison, “Selah.”
On earth one year later on the second evening of the writing conference.
“Oh Lord, I am just so discouraged. Am I released? It doesn’t seem like anything is working out for the Gabby series. Lord, I am not testing you. But God, I need direction. I need a next step.”
The day after this prayer, while in line for lunch at the conference, I met a highly energetic young man named Zane. His nametag revealed he was a chaperone for the youth conference that had been staying in Wheaton, IL, at the same facility all week. I had been searching for a leader to thank for their service and to share how encouraged I had been to hear the excitement from the teens about their service to Chicago.
As we chatted, I noticed Zane was wearing red high-top gym shoes, as was I, and many of the students. I thought I was pretty cool to match all these hip kids; but ironically, our conversation revealed that the logo for their mission trip was red, high-top gym shoes. So, it wasn’t my keen sense of fashion. We chatted how my main character Gabby wears red high-tops. Zane looked me straight in the face and said, “You need to go to the college gym.” He advised me to hurry because it was going to be locked soon to get ready for the evening’s events.
So, I did. I ran to the gym and as I entered, I stopped dead in my tracks. Before me was an ENORMOUS sign with a red high-top gym shoe and the word “FOLLOW” on posters all around the gym and on the floor. With blurred eyes and goosebumps on my skin, I overflowed with thankfulness at the “God-wink” to keep following Him. “Yes, Lord. I will continue to follow You in the footprints of the One who gave me this love for children and words!”
I am humbled to think how God intercedes for us. “Thank you, God, for working in advance of your children. Thank you, Spirit, for creating the steps that woo us. Thank you, Jesus, for walking with us so we can follow You.”
I was encouraged to take the next step to write. To create. To press on. And I hope you do, too.
In heaven
Laughter. Light. Hope.