Do What It Says

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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

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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!

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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

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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

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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

Getting to Know More About You

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The notes capture the moment that was going to change my heart and my forever. They're the words I scribbled on a scrap of paper during my first phone conversation with Steve on July 18, 1989. I sat on the couch in the apartment I shared with my sister, Lori, with the big phone on the floor next to me. Steve told me about himself - his love for philosophy (existentialism and Kierkegaard - I had no idea what he was talking about); he was reading The Russia House (I went out and bought a copy that night); he loved baseball (I knew my Continue Reading

Ending My 3D Bus Ride

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Oh, yes. I love the promises that tell us that life will be good—that there is hope—and that a joy-filled life can be ours. Verses from the Good Book like John 10:10 lift my spirits and refresh my soul … "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." And then... Whaaat? Hold the phone! Really? Are you sure? I don't think so! That can't be right. My messy reality is riding a different bus than the one traveling on full life avenue! Discouragement. Disappointment. Discontentment. I'm on the 3D bus that isn't Continue Reading

Stop the Struggles and Sinking

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Our weekend sailing trip started with blue skies, white fluffy clouds, and a whole lot of sunshine. Nothing signaled that a storm was just around the bend. Until it hit. I thought the low-hanging black clouds would reach down and wrap us in darkness. The wind tipped our sailboat onto its side. The icy rain came at us sideways; it felt like shards of glass on our faces. Once we got the sails down, the captain yelled, “Just hang on!” You can bet we did. I’ve never been in a storm on the water like that since. (Actually, I’ve never Continue Reading

Start. Do the Work.

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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

Planks for the Muddy Messes

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It was a trip back home with Steve and our good friends, Pam and Barry. I was truly in My Happy Place as I showed off my hometown of Climax, MN. Once we saw “the town” and they graciously listened to me speak excitedly, passionately, at 7,148 words per minute about the people, events and wonderful memories, it was time to show them “our land.” We drove onto the narrow dirt road between the fields a mile out of town, noticing that it was still quite muddy from last night’s rain. And then it got muddier. And even muddier. And Continue Reading

Toes, Girdles, and Faith Journeys

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

Just What I Need…Today

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It happens most often when I am tired. Or hungry. Or hurt. Or when I’m feeling just a bit self-absorbed. I want someone to fix my world because I’m tired of dealing with the icky stuff. Have you been there? We could probably wear matching t-shirts, right? Perhaps I’m overwhelmed with work. Worried about life issues, people’s hearts, and disappointments. I’m tired of it all, and I want someone with a Superman or Superwoman cape to swoop down and make it all better. The problem is, whoever that “someone” happens to be in that Continue Reading

Living a Full Life

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Loved. This. My friend and I were sitting at a small table in the coffee shop, reminiscing about our days at Northwest Airlines. Catching up on where life has taken us since then. In the middle of updates and future plans, my friend very nonchalantly said, "I have a full life." Oh my. Those words made me pause. When was the last time I heard someone say that? Most conversations include... "Life is crazy busy." "We're hanging in there." "Too much going on." How my friend described his life was an ah-ha moment for Continue Reading

Hope and the Early Morning Swirl

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It’s in those early morning first-moments when we make one of the toughest choices of the day. Do we swirl in the messiness and worries? Or do we hope in what has been promised? Here’s what it looks like in my world… Before my eyes even open (or try and open during this allergy season!), I am thinking about the good things ahead of me in the next few hours. Work I enjoy and connections that encourage me. It’s going to be a good day. And then…as if someone grabbed the clicker and changed the channel in my mind… I start thinking Continue Reading

Plan Goodness

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We spend so much time planning, don’t we? Writing out our to-do lists. Scheduling. Planning the weekend…the vacation…the work priorities. Busy, busy, busy. Work, work, work. Get it done, check it off, move to the next to-do. And at the same time – at least a lot of the time – we are bracing for the hurdles and challenges that get in the way and bump us from our happy planning place. We expect disruptions to our planning to show up at some point. Very easy for me to do. I am the master of having a Plan B and a Plan C in place Continue Reading

Just Give Me…

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Her cheeks were flushed and her neck was covered with the red blotches that I know all too well. Her name tag read Renee - Trainee and I think the reindeer antlers she wore on her head made her feel even more self-conscious as she tried to figure out how to enter no whip with my hot chocolate order. Oh, Jesus, please help her remember that this is just one day. Bring grace-filled people into her line this afternoon. The lady in the purple parka with the big hood could have used a cart. Or a counter. Or a shelf. Anything on which she Continue Reading

Be Not Afraid

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If an angel suddenly appeared out of the starry sky and started talking to me, I’d probably freak out. Just a bit. That’s just not something you see coming, right? I wonder what the shepherds thought that holy night thousands of years ago, as they leaned on their walking sticks, checking their sling shots, while standing in sheep doo-doo. We have to believe that when “the glory of the Lord shone around them,” things got pretty bright! I can imagine them squinting, covering their eyes, while trying to figure out what they were protecting Continue Reading

Live Free from Offenses

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The words below have been sitting in my heart and in my soul and in my mind for a couple weeks. They are truth! My friend, Wendy K. Walters, penned them…I’m so glad she did. With her permission, I am sharing them with you today. * You have the power to not be offended. Wow! Seriously, this is no small thing. You get to choose whether or not you pick up or carry an offense. You don't have to. Even when someone says or does something hurtful, careless, or outright mean ... you can choose to let it bounce off the shield of faith Continue Reading

Worry and Faith

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I scratch my head and wrinkle my nose and wonder… How many times do I need to be reminded of this? Worry is not the same as caring. It’s a proven fact. I have the stories and heart scars to show for it… My preference is to fix. And until it is fixed, I worry. Why? Because I am afraid that if I stop worrying, what I’m really saying is… I’ve stopped caring. How very silly is that. When I dig deeper into this muddled way of thinking, I see that it has more to do with fear than caring. Fear that God won’t show up. That Continue Reading