Wouldn’t it be cool if we each had a ghostwriter writing our life story? If all we had to do was wake up and follow the script that was written for us? The ideal day script filled with only happy scenes that tells us exactly what to do, where to go, what to wear, how to act, what to eat, who to see… you get the picture, right? But, nope. We write our own stories. We are the playwright, producer, stagehand, director, costume designer, and lead character in the story we write each day. (I think “costume designer” is the role that 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
Getting Rid of the Novocaine
The dentist’s office has never been one of My Happy Places. I remember a friend telling me that she loved to have her teeth cleaned. I thought she was joking. Could not fathom that. It’s the poking and drilling that send my blood pressure through the top of my head. And of course, the sharp pricks when novocaine is involved. The dentist says, “You’ll feel a little sting,” and then the needle goes in. A little sting here, a little poke there, another sting…and my gum starts going numb. More pokes? The numbness spreads. This 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
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
You are Amazing
You are amazing, you know. Don't let anyone ever tell you something different. Think about it... No one else in the history of the entire world is like YOU. You are unique. No one talks like you, moves like you, thinks like you, dreams like you do. And that makes you special. You are "God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works..." (Ephesians 2:10). His workmanship - his piece of art. His sonnet. His most beautiful colors on a canvas. A creation He dreamed of, created, brought into being, and loves. A Continue Reading
This Makes Me Laugh
Oh, so funny! This sign in the coffee shop down the street makes me laugh. The person in charge of writing something “witty and thought provoking” that day sure hit the nail on the head! Those words remind me to watch for the moments, words, expressions, signs that make me giggle and shine some sun into my day. We know there are smile-enhancers all around us, right? We just need to take the time to notice them, and shift our focus away from the messiness. Life is short…Let’s watch for the giggle moments! Continue Reading
Moments of Mutterings and Murmurs
Perhaps it was mom’s strawberry Glucerna spill in bed at 2:30 a.m. Or the looming project deadlines. Or that I’d stayed up too late watching tapings of the new season’s NCIS shows. Whatever the reason, I was tired. And grumpy. I was feeling extremely cynical. And it showed up in an ugly attitude. The target of my cynicism? TV’s female news anchors. I was tired of their standard, apparently prescribed, wardrobe and look: Solid colored, tight, sleeveless dresses. Tan legs that cross perfectly. Trendy jewelry. Five-inch heels. Continue Reading
Changing the Words
I love words. And I am tired of words. One reason for this weariness is that I’m finishing the writing on my next book, and everything I write sounds like blah, blah, blah. The bullies inside my head are not sending me feedback messages with smiley faces and pink hearts! (Oh, writing is so humbling!) I know this is part of the process…but ooftah. A bigger reason for this weariness, though, is because the world just seems to be filled with so many words. I watch the news, read the papers, check in on Facebook, and the words are Continue Reading
At The Cross
Act Justly
Resting. Pausing.
Show Up
Jesus the Savior is Born!
Be Not Afraid
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
The Best Part of Somebody’s Day
Joy Shows Up
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