Sigh. Can I say it again? Sigh. Do you find yourself exhaling as you say that word? Me too. And in my head, I say it in a whisper. There are some days that I just need to sigh. Exhale. Today has been one of those days. I know you and I want to know joy. We want to feel it in our bones. We want to wrap it around our hearts. And you know? Sometimes joy doesn’t show up in the giggles or the parties or the fun times. Sometimes we find the joy in our sighs. Author Kay Warren defines Joy as “the settled assurance that God is in Continue Reading
“In Everything” Includes the Dentist Visit
The dentist’s office is not my happy place. Not even in the same zip code. Or hemisphere. When the hygienist checks my blood pressure and tells me it’s a little high, I try and act surprised. She doesn’t know that my anxiety is about ready to make my head explode the minute they wrap that little napkin around my neck. This week when I went in for my regular exam, I had a big ‘ol cold sore on my upper lip. You can probably guess how comfortable that was going to be when they’re stretching my mouth open, right? This very sweet Continue Reading
Our Response
I hope we don’t miss it… In all the scheduled church services, the pageantry, the choir rehearsals, the Easter Sunday breakfast… I hope we don’t miss it. The opportunity to quietly make our hearts right with God. The colors, the emotions, the waiving palms. The darkness of Maundy Thursday, the deathly beating of the drum on Good Friday, and the Alleluia celebrations on Sunday morning. I love what they mean and what they remind us of during this Holy Week. They draw me in and speak to my heart. But…At least for me… It’s easy Continue Reading
Opening Prayer
Hi, Friends. I’ve just started reading Dallas Willard’s book, “Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23.” Wow. His words are reminding me of how little I expect from this amazing God. He is a generous God, and I too frequently live in a state of scarcity. Dallas wrote a poem that begins this book. It spoke right into my heart. I hope you can find a few minutes to let its message linger in your soul. Lord Jesus Christ, We are so thankful to you that you have said, ‘Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s Continue Reading
Please Give Her…
Her cheeks were flushed, and her neck was covered with the red blotches that I knew 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” on my hot chocolate order. Continue Reading
A Place to Relax
Alone… Our shoulders are not big enough to carry what we think we must. Our emotions are too human to care as deeply as we think we must. Our perspectives are too limited to make all the decisions we think we must. We don’t need to live Alone. Continue Reading
Prayer is Letting Jesus In
No More Fretting
Good morning, Lord. It’s me again. Since you and I have this agreement that we will have truthful conversations with each other, Can I just say… All I want to do today is fret. Did you ever have a day like that, Lord? A day when fretting just seemed to be the ideal response to life? Yeah. I bet you did. Continue Reading
A Cleanse That Works
I should have thought it through a bit more. I guess they’re right (whoever “they” are)… Hindsight is 20/20. I had decided to do a cleanse. You know, one of those eat vegetables and make juices so all your insides get refreshed kind of cleanses. So I hauled 35 pounds of carrots, celery, parsley, cukes, and other green produce into our kitchen. Well, it wasn’t really 35 pounds…but it was a lot. A whole lot. And I began to get excited about the 35 pounds I would lose in exchange over the weekend. {Yes, my home address is Continue Reading
Rain and The Word
This Fall weather in Minnesota brings dampness. Drizzle. Chills. Life’s like that sometimes, isn’t it? Moments are ushered in that leave us needing…comfort. Decisions bring consequences. Misunderstandings wound. Change unsettles us. The soft snuggly piece of worn cotton that we had when we still used a pacifier would feel perfect. Something warm to wrap ourselves in. Something that would stop the shivers. And then there are times when the pastel-colored blanket just isn’t enough. The drizzles have turned into icicles Continue Reading
Everyone Has Something
Hello, God. It’s Gaye. I’m here with some of My Friends… Our little community that gathers once a week to encourage each other. When you look inside our homes and our hearts, You see that we’re a group of good people, Trying to do life well even when life gets hard. Each of us has struggles…because… Everyone has something. Hurtful words and resentment occupy space in some of our kitchens. Children make choices that break our hearts. Too many sleepless nights make us bleary and teary. And sickness too frequently steals Continue Reading
Disappointments Come…Ooftah
Sharing from the heart here… The frustration, the hurt, the resentment… it can seemingly come out of nowhere, can’t it? But it has its source… Someone let me down. Disappointed me. Someone didn’t meet my expectations. Note: Definition of Expectations: Something that I think should have been done…in a certain way…around my timetable. Sometimes it’s big deal kind of stuff… Mostly, it’s stuff that doesn’t really matter. Right? And when those expectations aren’t met… My response is quite clear. Nobody is left wondering how Continue Reading
Permission Granted. Stop Worrying.
OK. So I got a big wake-up reminder this morning from Oswald Chambers. (My Utmost for His Highest is one of my favorite devotionals.) Chambers is writing about Matthew 6:25... “Do not worry about your life.” What a simple statement / command. Right? Not too hard to misunderstand what Jesus is telling us here. “Beware of allowing the thought that this statement is made by One Who does not understand our particular circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and he says we must not think about these Continue Reading
My Worry Prayers
“Hip replacement that includes a hiking schedule” The billboard words convinced me that if I ever need a new hip (I don’t), that’s the medical facility and doctors I’d want to do the surgery. Why? They give me hope. They don’t just tell me the surgery would go well… They tell me that good things will happen after the surgery. They paint a picture of how much better my life could be if I turn my pain and suffering over to them. Here's what surprised me about my "sign-me-up-now" reaction if I ever have hip problems... I Continue Reading
Psalm 23
“God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath And send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death valley, I’m not afraid when you walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back Continue Reading
A second-grader’s prayer
From the heart and pencil of a second-grader... “Dear Lord, help me change help me meet all the kinder gardeners and give them my kindness and my love and for all my sins to be washed as white as snow and I just want to thank you for offering to forgive me and thanks for watching me and help me express my feeling on paper and help me love you and I could go longer but I can’t I’ll write more later. -- Julia.” My favorite youngest niece, Julia Charron, wrote this just before starting second grade. (She is now fifteen.) Her prayer has Continue Reading
Make me aware
Father, help me to be sensitive to what is happening to people around me. I know there are unmet needs beneath the surface of the most successful and selfassured. I know that today I will meet some who are enduring hidden physical or emotional pain, others who are fearful of an uncertain future, and still others who carry burdens of worry for families and friends. May I take no one for granted, but instead, be a ready communicator of Your love and encouragement. Make me aware of these concerns of others, available to express Your care, and Continue Reading
Consequences
We can’t hide anything from God. It’s easy to forget that, isn’t it? Every once in awhile I think that if I I mess up and don’t talk to God about it, He won’t find out. That’s just plain silly. Why do we do that? I guess it’s like a little kid who has taken a cookie when his mother said “No.” If he runs and hides behind his bunk bed to eat it, he assumes his mom won’t find out. And then everything will be OK. But God is God. Nothing gets past him. He knows everything. So here’s what I’ve learned… When I have sinned, I need to Continue Reading
God, help my unbelief
There are so many questions I will have for God in heaven. The tragic shooting in Colorado last week is senseless. I don't understand. And I must trust that God is still on the throne. Today's Sunday prayer was originally posted on January 8, 2011, and is included in God, Girlfriends, & Chocolate. God, I don’t understand random acts of violence. I don’t understand people shooting other people because they disagree with them. I don’t understand children bullying other children. I don’t understand cancer. These Continue Reading
Thank you, God, for meeting me…
In the cool, early morning hours when the birds are waking up and the dew is fresh on the grass. During my business meetings when I'm working hard at meeting the expectations of others. When I'm outside enjoying the warmth of the sun and the fresh air. During the thunderstorms and rain, knowing that is a blessing to someone. At the end of the day, when you give me rest. Thank you, God, for meeting me. Continue Reading
Take the mercy, accept the help
My friend Kelli is working through significant business issues. My friend Jacki faithfully sends our church family’s “God Answers Knee-Mail” prayer letter each week. My friend Mary is struggling with some very disappointing news. And of course, there are the friends with serious health issues and family needs. In each situation, I have been asked to join these Girlfriends in prayer… And I have. And... I am sensing the need to pray more compassionately, more focused, and more intentionally for these requests. To really step in Continue Reading
My prayer
Dear God, It is way too easy to be a Christian on the "outside," without living like one on the inside. It can be easy to go through the motions--doing the "right" things, saying the "right" things, while You and I are distant. I know that nothing is more important than my relationship with you. Thank you for reminding me of that this weekend. Please give me the courage to daily pray, "Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way Continue Reading
Freedom is not free
Dear God, As I think about this July 4th week, I am so grateful for the men and women who give so much for our personal freedoms. Those who fight for us in places that don't have swimming pools and picnics and air conditioning. Those who protect our country here in the States. Those who care for our armed forces who are injured. And so many others who have stepped up to serve. I am reminded today that my personal freedoms are mine to enjoy BECAUSE someone else fought for them. They came with a price. And considering freedoms paid Continue Reading
A prayer for summer days
Dear God, Thank you for these summer days. Here in Minnesota, it means we have more sunshine, more warmth (heat!), and longer days. What a gift. Thank you for the hot summer days, which means I'm not shoveling snow. Thank you for the thunder storms that remind me of your great power. Thank you for the smell of cut green grass and the morning dew, that bring a sense of freshness and nostalgia. Thank you for softball games and the sound of kids bike riding, that remind me that "fun" is intended to be part of my life. Thank you for Continue Reading
A Prayer on Father’s Day
Dear God, We don't get to pick our fathers. Many of us have dads who care for us, provide for us, and love us. Some of us have fathers who are absent. And some of us don't know our fathers. Thank you for being a Father who CHOSE us to be his children. Thank you for being a faithful Father. A Father who ALWAYS wants the very best for us. A Father who will NEVER let us down. On this Father's Day, we pray for the millions of children who don't have a dad. Please give them a special reminder today that you love them more than they Continue Reading