Are you wondering if God has forgotten about you? He hasn't. Not ever.
If God were to send you a message, I think He’d write something like the words in this note.
Your Paper. Your Colors.
There’s something about sitting on a balcony watching ocean waves that invites you to contemplate life. Do you know what I mean? Something about the rhythm of the water makes you think about choices and dreams and next steps… while also wondering if the young girl on the beach realizes she desperately needs more material in that swimsuit. My sisters and I are on our annual beach trip, celebrating Mom’s birthday and remembering her life while we’re here. And today, while staring at the waves and thinking
Time For a Zip Code Change?
Well, hi there! I’ve got an idea for you, so … Slip off those slippers and slide into something a little more fun. (And no, removing your slippers is not required. But stay with me here.) YOU have this one big, beautiful life. It’s filled with habits and moments and celebrations… and a whole lot of same-old. We like comfortable. We live in comfortable. (If comfortable had a zip code, we’d all have mail there.) But… What if this spring, we switched things up a bit? What
The Kind of Famous That Matters
The movie credits splash the names of the stars across the screen. We know who they are. They are the people who producers depend on to get us into the theaters. The big names. But you know, I’m more intrigued by the names in smaller fonts. The actors whose parents lean forward in their red-cushioned theater seats, squinting their eyes to catch their son’s or daughter’s name as it scrolls by, long after everyone else has left the theater. Sally Jones…Townsperson #1 Ruth Peterson…Bystander #2 Mary Monson…Pedestrian
Hold On. Sunday’s Coming.
This is personal. I’ve lived the Fridays. I’ve waited through the Saturdays. I’ve felt the hope of Sunday. I bet you have too. I never tire of sharing this note. It’s truth. It’s encouragement. It’s hope. Please read it and then share it with two people you care about. People who need an extra dose of HOPE this week. ❤️❤️❤️ Hi. Scoot your chair a little closer. And if you’re in a comfy armchair and scooting isn‘t an option… lean in. Imagine that I’m talking softly –
Some Days Just Don’t Play in Sync
My sister Lori once performed a piano piece in two completely different tempos at the same time. Her right hand raced ahead. Her left hand lagged behind. It was…remarkable. The event was the annual piano recital. Here’s a little set-up to the important performance … His glasses were always perched on his forehead, and his legs were always crossed. Mr. Anderson was an extremely gifted piano teacher who reminded us that music was more than notes and that any God-given talent was intended to be developed. He
Am I in the Right Lane?
Matt Emmons. Twenty-three years old. Olympic competitor in 2004. He had already won a gold medal in the 50-meter rifle prone event — even after someone had tampered with his gun and he had to borrow one from a teammate. The guy was steady. Skilled. Focused. Two days later, he was positioned to win another gold in the 50-meter three-position event. Kneeling. Prone. Standing. By the time he lined up for his final shot, he was so far ahead that all he had to do was land
I May Not Win Gold, but I Showed Up
It’s Winter Olympics season, and watching fearless skiers do what they do makes me wonder, “What kind of human are you?” They clearly think differently about snow, speed, and risk than I do. You will never hear these comments leave the lips of Olympic skiers: “Do these ski pants make my butt look big?” “Who’s bringing donuts to warm-ups tomorrow?” “Gonna’ have me a big ol’ bowl of Haagen-Dazs tonight to celebrate the prelims!” Can you even imagine those thoughts being seriously considered by an Olympian? No.
Life in Major and Minor Keys
Playing piano. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. Tickling the ivories, and sometimes pounding them, gives voice to my thoughts and emotions. When I sit down at the piano, especially when I’m playing for worship, it feels as if God is right there with me on the piano bench. His presence feels close. Real. Some of my most joyful piano memories come from big, meaningful moments — like touring years ago with Pastor Doug and Donna Fagerstrom and a group from
Bulky Pillow, Broken Suitcase, and Stuff
So I had a dream a few nights ago … My friend Lori and I were competing on The Amazing Race. (Good grief. Any show that combines the words race and you will need to read maps in any country of the world should automatically disqualify me. Yet … there I was.) Anyway. Lori and I had just finished our first leg and were running into a building where we’d need to complete a difficult task. I was almost to the competition area when I turned around
Personal Note: Red-Letter Days Ahead!
It’s my birthday today—January 1—and there are only 31 more years until I’m 100! I did the math (with a bit of internet help, of course). That’s 11,323 days still waiting to be lived. Days filled with moments to be noticed and savored. A whole bunch of potential red-letter days. Oh, my. When you think about it like that, there are so many good moments, days, and years still ahead. And although I can often skate into optimism pretty quickly, I know there are going to be
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Consider me a city girl with a Midwest small town heart. I’m not afraid to poke fun at my own mishaps, and I love laughing out loud 'til it hurts! As a speaker, author, blogger, and Chief Encourager, I bring you a breath of fresh air on this journey we call life!
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