It was a birthday to remember. Celebrating all seven of my years on this earth, we drove to Fargo, ND to be on the Captain Jim show on KXJB TV. My sisters and I and a few girlfriends giggled and fussed and tried not to wrinkle our dresses as we drove the 52 miles to meet the man who was captain of the plywood ship, the Sink Knot. A regular part of the show was for Captain Jim to interview birthday boys and girls from the “ship.” I remember how excited it was to be on TV. When it was my turn as the birthday girl, he asked me about my Continue Reading
Jesus Sees, Feels, and Meets Your Needs
You see a small child sitting in the middle of the Target aisle. Hunched in a ball, his knees at his chin, his little fists are rubbing his teary eyes. He’s lost. You can feel how scared his heart is. You protectively kneel next to him, one arm on his shoulder, while someone sends a message out on the PA system. The woman in front of you in the check-out line looks like she hasn’t slept in days. You see her tears threatening to spill over onto her cheeks. The child sitting in her cart doesn’t stop crying. And then the clerk says she is Continue Reading
Mute the Bullies
I don’t care much for bullies. I don’t deal well with bullies. Bullies make me feel…Stupid. Wrong. Less-than. The bullies in my world don’t control the Maypole or the twirly-bird on the school playground. (And they never did. I don’t remember one bully in our little town of Climax, Minnesota.) The bullies that try and face me down want to control how I think about myself. If I let them, they will twist my heart like a pretzel and create little shakes in my stomach that make me feel like there’s an electric mixer on slow speed Continue Reading
Life is Too Short to Wait
So, this will be new. Different. My perspective has shifted. And it’s a game-changer for me. You know how sometimes that “Ah-ah!” moment strikes you like a lightning bolt slashing through thunderclouds? That deep insight or brilliant idea seems to smack you on the side of your head and you can hardly believe how smart you suddenly became. And then there are those “Ahhhh…of course…” moments that sneak up on you. That deep insight or brilliant idea slides right alongside you and you can only pause and wonder why it took you so long Continue Reading
Reset and Recalculate
My energy tank was on empty and I was coasting on fumes. “Frumpy” and “worn out” were self-describing words that I heard repeatedly in my mind. Muscles ached, and neither “fresh” nor “radiant” described my complexion. I felt ... old. And then I heard an interview on the radio that sent me into a “You’ve got to be kidding me!” moment. The young woman was talking about her high school experience — 15 years earlier. She coyly said, “That was when I was young! Let’s not talk about how many years ago that was!” And then she added a Continue Reading
Unclogging Drains and Hearts
The maintenance guy running the “snake” down mom’s kitchen sink to find the clog seemed to be having a very, very bad day … again. Bless his heart. It must be so uncomfortable living in such misery. Every single time we see him, he is upset. Angry. Blaming. His world is just … miserable. You’ve probably experienced the same consistently-bad-mood attitudes in your world. It shows up in so many ways, doesn’t it? The driver who cuts us off in the Fast Lane. The grumpy sales clerk. The co-worker who can’t find one good thing happening in Continue Reading
Living in Two Worlds
Wanting desperately to be married. Wanting desperately not to be married. Desperate for a job. Desperate for a different job. Dreaming of a good night’s sleep. Dreaming of the ability to get out of bed. If we live in America, we have much to be thankful for. And…if we live in America, our individual needs and wants are unique. We live in two worlds. In one, we are (or should be) aware of the blessings showered on us every moment we take a breath. Our nights are not interrupted by the blinding lights of missiles hitting Continue Reading
Do What It Says
There are times when I read something in the Bible and it’s as if the statement begins, “Dear Gaye, please read this carefully; it is written for you.” I love it when the phrases that follow that introduction remind me about God’s love for me. About His mercy and grace. His faithfulness. My heart is encouraged, and I breathe easier. I have the habit of brushing that page in The Good Book with my hand as I smile and think about those blessed promises in the beautiful words. And… There are times when the statement that begins, “Dear Continue Reading
Fairy Tale Realities
I wonder how happy we would really be if we lived a fairy tale life. If we had the 18” waist, the long golden locks, the voice of an angel, perfect skin, and a snowman friend named Olaf. (“Let it go,” Gaye!) In our childhood years we dreamed of all the good things that life would bring us when we finally “get big.” I’ll be the first one in line when we’re asked to step forward and talk about all the really, really good things we have in our lives, now that we’re “big.” And…tough things happen too. Even in the fairy tales, life Continue Reading
Celebrating the Burpees!
So I decided to do a few burpees today. Yeah, I know. I have no idea where that idea came from. The only time I’ve done them in the past is when my favorite trainer, Jody, told me to do them. And that was about four years ago. It's not something that's on my "When I want to have fun I will do this..." list. I wiggled and loosened up, stretched a bit, and got to it. A squat down, kick-your-feet-back push-up, followed by a jump up with arms towards the sky. Then a prayer that my life wouldn't end, and that my heart wouldn't beat right out Continue Reading
My Teen Idols
Their pictures lined the wall of the narrow hallway with the blue carpet which led to the bathroom with the blue floral wallpaper. Images of cute, young heartthrobs, their pictures carefully cut out of teen magazines and taped onto colored construction paper which posed as frames. A shrine to those we puppy love crushed on. Bobby Sherman. Davy Jones. B. J. Thomas. David Cassidy. And the big one – Donny Osmond. {For those of you who have no idea who I’m referring to, think Justin Bieber heartthrob level without the cocky attitude Continue Reading
Live Today With Care
This little message is what God was saying to me early this morning. Perhaps these words will encourage you too? Good morning, Gaye. Today is a gift I am giving you. What are you going to do with it? You will have options – how you spend your time, who you spend time with, the work you do. And you will make choices – what you focus on, what you eat, what you think about. Consider your options and choices intentionally. Every decision you make is creating your life. At the end of today, will you look back and know that you Continue Reading
Start. Do the Work.
It’s too bad I wasn’t counting my steps. I would have gotten that cute little trophy icon award on my walking app. My wandering had taken on a life of its own. I sat at my desk. Walked to the fridge, opened its door, and took a peek. Closed the door. Checked on mom. Back to my desk. Got up to see if NCIS re-runs were scheduled. Threw out the garbage. Back to my desk. Up and down. Around and around. Two things were unsettling me: I was starting a new, exciting project. I’ve been waiting to start it for the last month. Now it’s time. Continue Reading
Toes, Girdles, and Faith Journeys
I never thought my toes would become a faith lesson for me. (I never thought girdles would either, but a moment of girdle-consideration provided insight into my faith journey.) Anyway… I’m reading Hebrews 10:23 today, and I realized…my toes are an example of my lack of trust in God’s faithfulness. Here’s what I mean… My toes look fine. But! My toenails can be pinchers. And when they start to pinch…OUCH! Little nerves in those little tootsies can create all kinds of trouble. When the trouble starts, I’ll make an appointment for Continue Reading
Please Remember
It’s a month filled with busy stuff. Endings and beginnings. And with those changes, we celebrate the events that make us smile, and sigh with the moments that disappoint. I’m guessing that more photos are taken during the month of May than any other month of the year. (Well, maybe December sends more images into the iCloud.) Those moments that we want to capture can be filled with so many emotions, can’t they? Continue Reading
Checking My Heart
It was one of those mornings. My intentions were good, the desire was there, I was ready. Ready to study, consider, pray, prepare. Ready to talk to God about my joys and my messiness, share my gratitude and listen for direction. And yet, the distractions came like the thunder shouts outside. I heard mom in the other room and I got up to check on her. Then I got cold and wanted a blanket on my lap. Then I got too hot and had to crack open the window. Then I worried that the rain would dampen the sill. Then I remembered something to Continue Reading
Life is Good
Today...whatever comes my way... In the joy...God leaps and high-fives and brings the balloons. In the tears...He brings the Kleenex. In the sadness...He sits on the floor next to me and holds my hand. Life is not good because of the circumstances. Life is good because He is with me. We were never promised a life that didn't have the tough times. God never told us to expect lollipops, sunshine, and rainbows every single moment. He told us to expect Himself. To expect Him to show up and understand and care. That is Continue Reading
Learning Who to Trust
Why do I think I have to do everything? By myself? With only a glance at what it might cost me? “I can do this…I can do this…I can do this…” And then I crumble. Because I can’t. I’ve been trying to look at how I work and live from an outsider’s perspective. How I strive to do everything I think is expected of me…on my own…without asking for guidance or help. Because…hmmmm… Because why? Why do I place so much importance on being self-sufficient? Strong. Capable. Why is it hard to ask for help? Why do I forget that God has Continue Reading
Miss Beadle – Behind Closed Doors
It's my 2016 favorite book in the pure entertainment and fun category. And it's a memoir. (That's my always favorite category.) Little House in the Hollywood Hills: A Bad Girl's Guide to Becoming Miss Beadle, Mary X, and Me by Charlotte Stewart. I remember Charlotte Stewart as Miss Beadle on Little House on the Prairie, and vaguely remember her as Betty Briggs from the Twin Peaks TV show. As Betty, she was the eternal optimist who wore a smiley face button to Laura Palmer's funeral. Miss Beadle was the delightful school marm that taught Continue Reading
You Are Not Alone
I was tapping on the keyboard, considering the words and moments I had planned on sharing with you. But then the words stopped. And pictures began floating around in my brain, creating different words. My writing plans changed. From my heart… Continue Reading
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