Back in the day, my definition of “a cool girl” included her ability to dance. I wanted to be cool too, so I practiced at home in front of my bedroom dresser mirror before going to the school dance. That was just plain…good grief. I can’t even. It didn’t look like dancing, and it certainly wasn’t cool. I wonder how they danced in the Bible days. We know they did a lot of it in worship and celebrations, right? “Praise his name with dancing, accompanied by tambourine and harp.” What variety! Dancing to the tambourine and a harp. I bet Continue Reading
Creating a Different Tomorrow
I’m standing in front of Steve as he’s trying to read (I’m obviously being very annoying), peering over the top of his book, trying to get my face in the brightest light from his reading lamp, as I describe what I think the lines on the sides of my chin look like: Like the face on puppets…no…marionettes…no… Like the face on the dummies that ventriloquists use. Yes. That’s it. The look on his face tells me he’s worried there may be a trick question coming soon, and that he needs to think carefully about his response. These lines Continue Reading
Praying When Words are Hard
“The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible.” Corrie ten Boom One of the first prayers I learned was this: Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen. I’m grateful that I learned how to pray when I was real little, but … really? If I should die before I wake? That’s a pretty deep subject for a 3-year-old to be contemplating. Over the years Continue Reading
Boldly and Bravely Breaking Rules
Oh. My. I just spent two wonderful days in Green Bay at the Known Women’s Conference. The speakers, the worship led by Ayiesha Woods, the welcoming environment, and the Holy Spirit’s movement through every detail – it was beautiful. Such a joy to be with them. As I drove home to St. Paul, I kept thinking about all the details and logistics that worked to make it a comfortable, faith-filled place for women. AND I considered the strength and courage it took for Joyel Vandenboogart to envision this weekend and bring it to life for 500 Continue Reading
Pausing is Permissible
Have you had those days, weeks, or seasons where life seems wonky? Maybe you feel like this … … You’ve been invited to a dance party, you show up in a ballet tutu, and everyone else is doing the fox trot. … Someone forgot to tell you that the potluck was vegetarian only and you brought the hamburger hotdish. … You drafted an angry and whiny email that you intended to delete once you got the frustration out of your system, but as you reached across the keyboard to finish off your 1-pound bag of M&Ms, your elbow hit the Send Continue Reading
Make Room for the Moments
A personal reflection for you today … “Life is made up of moments, small pieces of glittering mica in a long stretch of gray cement. It would be wonderful if they came to us unsummoned, but particularly in lives as busy as the ones most of us lead now, that won’t happen. We have to teach ourselves how to make room for them, to love them, and to live, really live.” (Emphasis mine.) Anna Quindlen wrote those words in “A Short Guide to a Happy Life.” This very short book is a gift to anyone wanting to live a full, rich life. Her words Continue Reading
Writing Your Memoir
I love to read. And memoirs are at the top of my list. My favorites are typically written by a not-so-young woman whose story reads something like this... Her life was filled with hope-filled dreams. Exciting expectations. Blue skies and sun-filled days. She had energy that made skipping in her summer slip-ons easy-peasy. Then life happened. Her skies got cloudy. Disappointment replaced those dreams. Skipping was totally out of the question. She just didn’t have the energy. The next section in her memoir shares a season in her Continue Reading
A Good Summer Plan
This little note is one of my favorites – an oldie but goodie! It says exactly what’s on my heart this week. Blessings on your summer days, my friend. I’m so grateful for our connection here! It’s summer, and that means the heat index could be maxed out so everything is wilting, or it could be raining cats and dogs with thunder and lightning thrown into the mix. (I wonder who came up with the phrase raining cats and dogs. What does it even mean? OK. Back to our regularly scheduled program.) Just for a moment, let’s imagine that it’s Continue Reading
Parkas and Girlfriends
Winter is over in Minnesota. Can I hear an Amen! (At least we hope it is. Let’s all knock on a piece of wood that’s no longer snow-covered, shall we?) The thick Michelin-woman parkas are stuffed into the basement closets, stocking caps with the cute ear flaps are shoved into the Tupperware organizers, and our socks … well, they’re still in reachable distance because our toes are adjusting to being wrapped in sunlight and warm air and need a bit of tender care. We are pros at knowing how to protect our skin and bones during 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 Fumbles – God’s Peace
I love football. Especially the Minnesota Vikings. Favorite players? Peyton Manning (retired NFL quarterback) and Scottie Benedict. Scottie is my favorite youngest nephew and will always be my favorite athlete. And even though neither he nor Peyton play football anymore, they are my favorites. Yes, I love football. As I’m writing this, I’m experiencing a light case of “day after the Super Bowl blues.” No more football for a few months. Sigh. Now perhaps, no more football for a while is the best thing that’s happened to you since sliced Continue Reading
Once Upon a Time
When the story begins with Once upon a time …, we instinctively settle into the pillows a little deeper. We wonder where the characters will lead us and what the hero looks like. We lean closer to listen because the storyteller almost always whispers the story. It seems … magical. Little children love to hear their names as the main characters, don’t they? The first time we include their sweet name, they perk up and squeal, That’s me! They love being part of the story. Once upon a time can remind us of giants and bean stalks. Of a Continue Reading
Let Me Be the Person
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. 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
A Gift for You
Oh, this is such an amazing gift for you! Light of the World: 21-Day Advent Devotional is a resource compiled by Radical Radiance that will lead you to know, experience, and share Jesus, the Light of the world, this Christmas season. I contributed as an author to this project and I'm delighted to share it with you. (My note of encouragement is in Week 3, Day 1!) When you request this free devotional, you'll receive a 59-page PDF workbook (complete with planning pages, activity pages, and 21 days of devotionals), an audiobook Continue Reading
Time to Let Them Go
During the last few weeks, memories from two specific seasons have rented rooms in my brain. It’s been one year since my pancreas got really angry and I spent a few days in the hospital trying to figure out what ticked it off. This memory has decorated its rented room with posters that say, “If only I had …” When I walk through that room, I get frustrated with myself. The other rented room in my brain looks different. The room is smaller, and handwritten notes are placed around it. The renter is the memory bank of the 7-year season Continue Reading
Make Room for the Good
Along with replacing the tank tops in our closet with sweatshirts and flannels, the Fall season invites us to cleanse, purge, start again, and “finish the year strong!” (I’m a little over the whole “finish the year strong” thing. I’m just focusing on finishing today strong. Because my “strong” needs a nap.) A change of season does seem to signal a time to reflect and consider what the next few months could look like though. A time to start again. And that can be healthy. But it’s easy to mess this up. How? We believe that Continue Reading
What Farmers Teach Us
I visited one of my favorite places last weekend. Home. Climax, Minnesota. Spending a few hours with classmates from the Class of ’75 was a highlight of the summer. And oh, my. Was it fun. The stories we shared and memories we laughed about reminded me of the best of community: Kindness. Grace. Friendship. The looking out for and caring for neighbors and friends. You may not have grown up in a small town, but you are part of a community. There are people who care about you. If no one comes to mind, please, from the bottom of my Continue Reading
I’m ready. Let’s go.
The Minnesota Vikings have wrapped up their pre-season games and I am hopeful. This could be our year, right? Right! I. Love. Football. Please note: Even if you'd rather have a root canal than watch grown men shove each other down onto green turf, please stick with me here. Think about how they play the game. In every single moment of the game, they are moving and blocking and passing and running...intentionally. During every play, each player commits to follow the coach’s plan. Consider the alternatives: As the punter kicks Continue Reading
My Sticky Candy Brain
The bright, gluey mass of sugar whipped up around a paper cone is definitely a fan favorite. The Minnesota State Fair is known for its collection of all things food—much of what you can eat on a stick. And it seems that every corner of the fairgrounds as its own cotton candy stand. I watch the moms trying to clean up sticky kiddo fingers that seem permanently stuck together in pink glue. This is the last time we’re getting cotton candy. It’s making everything sticky. No, you can’t have any more! Bless them. Anyway. I’m working in Guest Continue Reading
Sheep Have it Made
Did you have a pet when you were younger? Perhaps a dog or a cat or a horse? I had a pig. His name was George. My sister, Julie, also had a pet pig. It was also named George. (Our dad’s name was George. I know. I don’t understand it either.) My goodness, how we worked at taking care of those pigs. One lesson I learned very quickly in my pet pig season was that it was very hard to keep it clean. When we prepared to show them in 4-H competitions, I would brush and scrub and sprinkle baby powder on mine. Julie would clean hers real good Continue Reading
Soul-Soothing Plan for the Summer
It’s summer, and that means the heat index could be maxed out so everything is wilting, or it could be raining cats and dogs with thunder and lightning thrown into the mix. (I wonder who came up with the phrase raining cats and dogs. What does it even mean? OK. Back to our regularly scheduled program.) Just for a moment, let’s imagine that it’s a perfect, beautiful summer day. There’s no humidity so your hair isn’t frizzing or going limp. The sun is warm, but the cool breeze invites you to tilt your head back and close your Continue Reading
Your Whatever Matters
Whatever. It’s a word that sometimes comes from our mouth when we are … Tired of the conversation. Reluctant to discuss the conflict. Walking away. Oh my. I can see me in some of those whatever moments! Whatever usually comes out as a disappointed whisper when I’m walking away from the person who just doesn’t understand that what I’m saying is right and he is most definitely not right and I’m too tired to argue and the conversation just doesn’t seem worth the effort. My back is turned, and my hand is waving away the moment. Continue Reading
You are Bringing It!
He was one of the happiest guys I’ve ever seen. He bounced into Culver’s Restaurant with a broad smile and eyes that said, Today is awesome! This guy ordered a sandwich and fries and the ice cream of the day. Before his order was up, he was already savoring his ice cream treat. He leaned against the counter, clearly enjoying every lick and spoonful of that Snickers Swirl. Fully engaged in the moment. He didn’t have earbuds in, but he obviously had some good tunes playing in his head! Everything about him said he knew how to enjoy Continue Reading
Same God, New Season
These truths are swirling through my brain today … God is a God of love. He hangs the stars. Instructs the sun to rise. Always keeps His promises. God is faithful. When I allow these reminders to frame my day, life feels better. Hope returns. Worries can’t compete and they move out. Do you know what I mean? Perhaps your feelings about life and this new spring/summer season are similar to mine? My heart and my muscles and my brain are ready for a pause. They need time to breathe. Rest. They are starved for Continue Reading
Find the Fun Now!
Several ideas for this little note zipped around in my brain, but none of them were really landing. They felt like moths who would fly right up to the bright bulb but then dash away, looking perhaps for a brighter bulb? I kept going back to my post from a year ago: Find the Fun! That message still just feels so right for this week in July, and when I circle it up to the light bulb, it just keeps circling! And doesn’t the image of the tap dancing ladies make you smile! So, enjoy this favorite from the past. New post next time! Stay Continue Reading
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