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 days it feels more like I’m wearing mukluks, trudging through nine Continue Reading
✨ Feeling Invisible but Not Forgotten
Have you ever felt like you suddenly became the Invisible Woman, minus the cool cape and superpowers? One minute you’re right there in the mix—talking, contributing, showing up—and the next you’re standing by the potted plant, holding someone’s purse and silently mouthing, “I’m actually very interesting!” If you’ve ever had that “am I even here?” sensation, you are in good company. We’ve all whispered the same thing. It’s just that most of us say it quietly … because we don’t want to make a fuss. (Right?) And you know, sometimes the Continue Reading
Life is Good. Settle In.
I’m writing this on the week the great Minnesota State Fair begins. Ahhh, this is one of my absolute Happy Places. Free music, barns full of animals, people-watching galore. What’s not to love? Some of my best family memories are tucked into those fairgrounds. And every year, I plan my schedule (and give myself a talking-to about deadlines) so I can savor my two-week job in Guest Relations without guilt. Honestly? I love it. And that brings me to this note to you. Because while I usually write with encouragement for the hard stuff in Continue Reading
Pink Crocs and Everyday Confetti
Sometimes the most profound conversations happen in grocery store parking lots with five-year-old wearing pink Crocs. I was coming out of the store when I spotted this little guy and told him his shoes were pretty cool. Oh my goodness, did that open the floodgates. Out poured this delightful stream of consciousness about his blue sucker, those amazing pink Crocs with their tiny giraffe decorations, tomorrow's promised new toy, how his baby brother was going to play with it too, and (announced with a squeal) “Tomorrow I’m going to be Continue Reading
A Promise for Today
God has something good for you in today. This little community we’ve created here? It’s meant to be a soft place for your spirit. A breath of fresh air. A dose of encouragement when your heart needs it most. And sometimes, encouragement shows up simply as this: an honest nod that life can feel heavy. I wish I could peek into your world today, to understand what your days are holding. Maybe someone you love is hurting, and you’re carrying the weight of it through sleepless nights. Maybe you’re spending more time in a Continue Reading
Live Like the Gate’s Open
I don’t remember where I saw the photo, but the moment it captured has stayed with me. The picture showed a big crowd of parade-watchers pressed onto a city sidewalk. Too many people in too little space. Right in the middle of it all was an older woman resting her arms on the street barrier. She was leaning forward into the scene, watching the parade go by. Smiling. Relaxing. Soaking it all in. Around her, everyone else was busy taking selfies. Posing. Finding the right light. Staring into their cameras with their backs to the Continue Reading
A Summer Rhythm Refresher
Well, hi there! Summer rolled in like it owned the place, didn’t it? Sun blazing, birds chirping, and my ice cream melting faster than my plans to “be productive.” Being productive is my usual default. But these summer months? They invite a more fun, slightly adventurous spirit, right? I’m craving a sunshiny rhythm that keeps the business going but leaves plenty of time for ice cream runs, long walks, and a little daydreaming. You too? This morning I asked God, What does this season look like for me? He reminded me of the image Continue Reading
Psst….Got a Little Something for You!
You were on my mind when I created this. I’ve just finished a brand-new freebie called Reignite Your Spirit: A Jumpstart to Anticipating God’s Goodness, and I wanted you to have it right away … …before the laundry buzzes, the microwave beeps, and your to-do list notices you’ve been ignoring it. Because here’s the deal. Encouragement for your heart and nourishment for your soul matter just as much as anything else on your list. This short, hope-filled guide is for the days when your spirit feels a little sluggish and your to-do Continue Reading
Turning Down the Worry Volume
I have a love / not-so-much love relationship with certain verses in the Bible. I love the ones that remind me God knows my name. That He loves me. That He’s faithful — always. And then there are the others. The ones that gently (or not-so-gently) tug away my perceived right to whine, grumble, and fret. Like Matthew 6:34: …do not worry about tomorrow… Now part of me wishes Matthew had slipped in a little footnote: “Do not worry about tomorrow … unless things are extra messy right now and you're one stubbed toe away from Continue Reading
This Wasn’t in the Script
I laughed out loud during my Bible study this morning. And I contemplated body odor. Ah, yes. The Gospels never read as boring, do they? In John chapter 11, we read about the death of Lazarus. Jesus wasn’t just a spiritual teacher to Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. They were close friends. So when Lazarus got sick, his sisters sent word to Jesus. But Jesus didn’t arrive until four days after Lazarus had died. Four. Days. Now, Mary and Martha absolutely believed in Jesus. They knew He could perform miracles. But Continue Reading
Hope Comes in the Messiness
“This is a good life—my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest. Who could want for more? … You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment.” David originally wrote those words as a personal, private meditation, known to us as Psalm 16:9-11. It became one of his “miktams”—a “golden meditation dealing with truth so significant it should be preserved forever.” (Exploring the Psalms, John Phillips) Truth so significant Continue Reading
Make a Bigger Circle
When there’s not enough room in the circle, we just make a bigger circle. Last week I visited the adorable small town known as Gnometown USA (AKA Dawson, MN). It’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a town that felt so much like a community. After speaking to two groups on Thursday, I got up Friday morning and headed for Gnometown Grounds, the local café, bakery and gift shop. That visit was a gift straight from the heavens. Emma, the café’s owner, was helping me pull together a collection of all-things-gnome that I wanted to Continue Reading
Encouragement Coming Your Way!
I’ve got a word of encouragement for you, but first I gotta’ tell you … My new book is done and it’s available to YOU! Imagine what your everyday life could look like if, instead of waiting for life to show up, you showed up and discovered life! This collection of letters from me to you brings a big dose of encouragement from God’s Word, and stories infused with wit and humor. I really think you’re going to like it! God has really good things planned for you. Anticipate His goodness! You’ll find the book on Amazon. And may I Continue Reading
Change Tracks and Start Again
Good grief. Ugh. Ooftah. Yeah, all the words. Hang in there … encouragement is coming! Sometimes life just feels hard, doesn’t it? There’s a local cargo train that runs past our house twice a day. When it goes by, it shakes everything up a bit. We’ve gotten used to its rumblings, so although we sure know it’s traveling past, it’s not a big deal. But a few days ago, that train went by, and it didn’t sound or feel like an in-town train with a few flatbeds carrying lumber, comfortably rolling through the neighborhood, tooting its Continue Reading
Summer Storms
Life has been filled with summer sunshine, lots of laughter, and friendship connections. And, it’s also had its share of “bad weather” for people I care about. This week my heart is thinking a lot about friends who are in the middle of some tough summer storms. The kind of storms that don’t end overnight. If things are pretty stormy for you right now, please let these words encourage you. If your days have some sunshine in them, would you please share this with a friend who needs to feel seen? Who needs to remember God’s promise Continue Reading
Sitting by Still Waters
“Spring makes your spirit tingle with energy and bright optimism, like you swallowed a sunrise.” Jennifer Dukes Lee writes those words in her beautiful book, Growing Slow: Lessons on Un-Hurrying your Heart from an Accidental Farm Girl. Along with the refreshment that comes with the cool breezes and colored-once-again scenery, spring invites us to set aside the bulk and clutter and embrace simple and easy. Doesn’t it? My heart and mind are leaning into slowing down. Finding a new rhythm that creates joy in the ordinary. A to-do Continue Reading
Let’s Mute the Bullies
I don’t care much for bullies. They make us feel stupid. Wrong. Less-than. Right? We hear and read so much about the bullying that children and young people are experiencing these days, aren’t we? My heart hurts for their tender hearts when simply growing up is hard enough. The bullies that have tried to face me down didn’t show up in my childhood by trying to control the Maypole or the twirly-bird on the school playground. Nor did they show up in high school. I don’t remember one bully in my hometown. I’ve seen bullies in the Continue Reading
What are You Watching For?
Dorothy was a hoot! I met her at a women’s retreat. She was wearing a beautiful cobalt blue blouse while she told me about her grandchildren. When I complimented her on her blouse, she said, “Well, my hair color changed this month and I had to find something to wear that would match it. I usually use different hair colors, but this month I ran out of all of them. So, I just mixed what was left of everything I had. Now my hair color changes every day!” And then…she laughed. And shook her beautiful blue locks of hair. Dorothy’s joy Continue Reading
Do-Overs and Start Agains
I love do-overs. If I don’t like what I’m writing, I hit the delete key and “do-over.” If my hair is having a bad day, my brush winds its way through and creates a “do-over.” If my chicken dish doesn’t turn out…well, I just throw that out. Wouldn’t it be freeing if we could “do-over” or throw out some of life’s moments that make us cringe? Pull the words back or stop ourselves from not-smart actions. Stupid decisions we made. Hurtful comments we shared. Hot pants worn. (What on earth were you thinking, girl?) None of us are Continue Reading
God is in This Moment
Where are you today? At home? At work? Shoveling? Walking the beach? Holding the hand of someone you love in the hospital room? In bed, wishing for the energy to get up? Pull in closer … there are some words of encouragement for you here. God is in every moment. Wherever you are, God is there. God is in this moment is a phrase I’m learning to whisper frequently throughout the day. Whether it’s a good moment or a horrible moment, God’s presence never leaves. He is there. I whispered it while I was out walking. Although the Continue Reading
He’s Got You Covered
Ever had one of those moments when life’s issues seem really, really big? Overwhelming, insurmountable, terrifying? And at the same time, you’re feeling really, really small? Unnoticed, insignificant, forgotten? When you’re feeling lost and unimportant, how can you know that God can still find you…that He hasn’t forgotten about you? You remember this. God can handle the BIG stuff … “Ah, Lord God, it is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Continue Reading
Today I Choose My Always
Change has always felt like a colorful invitation to something new – which offers possibilities. Adventures. New dreams and ideas. Something different. At least that’s how it usually feels in my world. In My Guy Steve’s world? Not so much. Change is … well, change. And perhaps a root canal seems more inviting. There isn’t a need for different when what’s working now is working now. No matter your preference for different, I bet you’re feeling a shift in your own world these days. Schedules change so our rhythms need to change. The Continue Reading
It’s Time to Dance
This is for you. If your perfect evening out is a gathering of dozens of friends who are all your bestie, where no one worries about how late it is, and you get absolutely giddy about the chance to engage in several conversations at the same time because, you know, there’s so much to talk about … this note is for you. And if your perfect evening out is gathering with a few close friends to catch up and laugh, where small talk quickly turns to heart-felt conversations … I’ve got you covered. And, of course, if you’re somewhere in Continue Reading
My Anchor Holds
I know that God is faithful. He is loving. Gracious. I know that He promises me peace. And, there are still some days when swirling comes knocking and I open the door, invite her in, and offer her a place to hang out. My swirling looks like this … I wander around the house. Aimlessly. Up and down, room to room, opening and closing the fridge door, flipping through books, scrolling through my phone. There is work to be done, but my mind doesn’t get focused. My thoughts feel like the little steel ball that flies around a pinball Continue Reading
God Always Has Time for You
Ok. Let's review. (She says to herself first.) Here are phrases that do not show up in The Good Book… These words were never said by your Heavenly Father, The Great Promise Keeper... You've got a big load of stuff to do today. Good luck with that. You always mess up. Can't you just get your act together? You've been struggling with that situation for years. It's not going to change. It's never going to end, you know. Bad stuff happens. This is just a really bad day. And you haven't even gotten out of bed. Why keep Continue Reading