This is personal. I’ve lived the Fridays. I’ve waited through the Saturdays. And I’ve felt the hope of Sunday. I bet you have too. I never tire of sharing this note. It’s truth. It’s encouragement. It’s hope. Please read it and then share it with two people you care about. People who need an extra dose of HOPE this week. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ Hi. Scoot your chair a little closer. And if you’re sitting in a comfy arm chair and scooting isn‘t an option, lean in a little closer.  Imagine that I’m talking softly - almost whispering. The kind of Continue Reading

As I’m listening to the podcast, I say to myself out loud … Who does that?! And then I respond (to myself out loud) … Tim McGraw does. Country music superstar Tim McGraw was being interviewed about his book, “Grit and Grace.” Y’all, get this. (I used the word “y’all” because Tim is country and it just seemed appropriate to sound like I knew a bit about southern stuff.) Anyway … When he’s on tour, he and his band and crew have a semi-trailer that hauls only their workout equipment. I get whiny when I have to add an exercise band Continue Reading

Life Whisperers is one of my favorite chapters in Getting My Ducks in a Row and Other Stories of Faith. (I loved writing this book so much!). Who is speaking into our lives? It’s such a timely question in this season, isn’t it? I’ve edited that chapter for this week’s note of encouragement. I think you’ll find my words thought-provoking and encouraging. Enjoy! There are numerous reporters, politicians, and people on the other side of our phone screens, talking to us. Loudly. Intense voices telling us what to believe, who is right and Continue Reading

The music world recently said good-bye to one of our greatest jazz musicians, Ramsey Lewis. He didn’t just play the keys on the piano. He turned the piano into an instrument of emotion, melody, and rhythm. He leaned in and felt the music. This note of encouragement was written a few years ago, and I included it in Getting My Ducks in a Row and Other Stories of Faith. Today I share it in his memory, with gratitude for the joy, inspiration, and life lessons he taught me. Good grief. I took them all so very seriously… The piano Continue Reading

School Carnival. Climax, Minnesota. 1973. It was an annual event where a king and queen were crowned, teachers got soaked in the dunk-‘em booth, cheap game prizes were won in the gym, and the cake walk was celebrated in the cafeteria. I wore a purple hot pants outfit. With a purple headband. And purple tights. The outfit was…purple. Good grief. Whatever was I thinking. Back then, I felt like royalty. Royalty wearing purple. The look made me feel beautiful…even a little trim. Now, it’s one of those memories that makes me Continue Reading

Well, hi there! I’ve got an idea for you, so … Slip off those slippers and slide into these sentences! [You: Why do I need to take off my slippers?] [Me: Because it might be fun to do something that feels a little different!] [Me Again: OK. Slipping out of slippers is not required but slip in here for a second.] YOU have this one big, beautiful life. It’s filled with habits and moments and celebrations and same-old, same-old. We do things that are comfortable, and we try things that take us out of our comfort zone. But mostly, Continue Reading

I wonder how happy we would really be if we lived a fairy tale life. If we had the 18” waist, the long, thick hair that was sometimes styled into a perfect braid instead of a messy bun, perfect skin that didn’t know rosacea was a thing. If we walked through trees and wildflowers wearing tiny slippers that covered feet that didn’t have protruding bones or pinched toes, and an ankle-length dress that never got dirty, singing like an angel while butterflies perched on our shoulders. Well, that wouldn’t be all bad, right? In our Continue Reading

My Facebook profile says I’m 58 years old. Good grief. When did that happen? We each have our own particular response when we think about our ages, right? When my age starts messing with My Happy Place it’s as though my drive down a simple, picturesque country road is rudely interrupted by a flashing neon storm warning sign sitting on a post in the ditch. It threatens my calm, relaxed journey. The message that glares at me? Continue Reading

As a little girl, I’d wonder what it would be like if Jesus knocked at our front door. Would we care if the house was messy?  What on earth would we say? Could He help me with my math problems?  (Wouldn’t that be cool to talk about in school the next day!) A picture of Him knocking on a big wooden door hung in our church basement. His head was tilted towards the door a bit—I wondered what He was thinking. I thought He was probably trying to hear what was going on inside. Our Sunday School class diligently learned the corresponding Continue Reading

While driving down the freeway yesterday, distracted by worries, concerns, and “fretfulness,” I head myself whisper,  “God, thank you for still being You.” My heart was a little heavy with sadness…caring about hurting and sick people, and tough, real-life situations that I can’t fix.  And for a moment, they just seemed so big.  Too big.   It was hard to find hope in the promises I know God has made to me. My prayers seemed so repetitious.  “Haven’t I prayed this before?” (Perhaps you can relate?) And that’s when I heard Continue Reading

The Trouble with Sunday? The next day is Monday. Here’s what I mean… Growing up, Sundays meant church, Sunday School, dinner in the living room with the good china while discussing how much vibrato we heard from the sopranos in the church choir, drinking Pepsi out of the glass water goblets, watching the Minnesota Vikings with my dad, taking afternoon naps in our slips, (I still don’t understand why we napped in our slips), and driving out to the farm to “look at the fields.” Some of my best memories ever. But… Sunday night Continue Reading

Expectations that aren’t met. Conversations that are misunderstood. Hurtful words spoken in haste. I’ve been there. Have you? When that happens… Disappointment swells up from my toes. Anger bubbles.  My mind feels like it will explode. Every fiber in my being believes I have “the right” to verbally express my disapproval / frustration / disappointment. But in the deepest place of my heart, I know that my words would hurt. They would not help the situation.  They would not be Christ-like. So I remind myself of the words from Continue Reading

Oh, this is just so cool! My Friday posts are about giving you ideas and resources (links, books, quotes, websites, etc.) to help you live a faith-filled and joy-filled life when life seems to get in the way.  (Know what I mean?) Well, I think you’re going to love this! My friend, Wendie Pett, (fitness coach and consultant, host of her own TV show, author, featured columnist) is offering a Visibly Fit in 84 Days program in conjunction with KTIS 98.5 radio.  We get 84 days (12 weeks) of FREE videos to become Visibly Fit – Mind, Continue Reading

God has been talking to me again. The conversations are so cool. And very annoying. (I know.  Not a very Christian thing to say, right?) We’ve been having a very personal conversation about GRATITUDE. In other words, I haven’t shown a lot of it lately. I’ve been complaining more than usual. I’m not sure why.  Perhaps I’m overly tired. Or I need a vacation. Or I’ve just hung the streamers and put out the fancy placemats for an old fashioned pity party.  (If I were you – I’d bet on the last one.) Do you ever struggle with living Continue Reading

Jesus says, “Come.” “Come, follow me…” (Matthew 4:19) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”  (Mark 6:31) Jesus wants to meet you.  Right. Where. You. Are. So what are you waiting for? Say “Yes" and GO. Continue Reading

What do I want to do next? Why am I here? How do I get from Point A to Point B? How do I find a job I really like? Oh, we’ve all asked those questions, haven’t we? Let’s find some answers! I’ve got three pieces of chocolate (resources) for you on this God, Girlfriends & Chocolate Friday… These are people who can help you move forward…find the work that brings out the best in you…and lay the foundation for living the life God has meant for you to live. Here’s the scoop – 3 resources: 1. The book that changed my life, Continue Reading

Our wishes…for what could be Our hope…in what is to come Our dreams…yet to be fulfilled If we would take a few minutes to break away from our to-do list, our urgent, our busyness… We might catch a glimpse—a reminder—of how we want our life to look and feel. The picture probably comes into clear focus right away…it’s the “getting there” that can be difficult. Isn’t it absolutely wonderful that God is in the process of “Getting there?” I love this verse: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has Continue Reading

God is still on The Throne! You know those days when everything seems to be going great?… You get at least two things checked off your to-do list. Your children are loving instead of argumentative. Your favorite jeans fit… It is easy to know God is in control on those days, isn’t it? We feel His love, trust His guidance, and are assured of His presence. It’s so…believable. It’s on those other days that we so easily doubt… The diagnosis is cancer. Your child is stumbling in decision making. You’re so tired you just want to Continue Reading

Sometimes it’s a book. Sometimes a Bible verse. Words from a Girlfriend. And other times – many times – a song. Encouragement comes in many forms. This week the words from Steve Green’s song, Find us Faithful, have been running through my head. As my mind absorbs the words, my emotions follow. The words encourage me. Remind me. Challenge me. Oh, most Holy God, remind me that my choices, my decisions, my life… have an influence and impact that stretch beyond my small world. We're pilgrims on the journey Of the narrow Continue Reading

Good morning, God. Thank you for another day. Thank you for being with me every single moment of today. I’ve been a bit ungrateful lately, Lord. Well, actually, it’s probably more than “a bit.” Please forgive me for my complaining. My impatience. None of my “reasons” justify my stinkin’ attitude . Thank you for your love which meets me where I am. Thank you for your forgiveness which is so undeserved. Thank you for the bazillion things you have given me… …for which I am grateful. I don’t want to waste another day Continue Reading

I have a new favorite book to share with you! One of my Girlfriends, Elizabeth Hagen, has written a book that could have begun with, “Dear Gaye…” I just love it. In Confidence: Now is Your Time, Elizabeth shares 31 stories – and oh, how we love our stories! – that offer dramatic lessons she’s learned to help us start loving who we are and what we do right now. Elizabeth writes about dreams lost and dreams that become reality.  Real life. Grace. Raising kids. Moving through fear. Work. Significance. And oh, so much joy. I Continue Reading

My dear Girlfriend, Chere Bork, is a Health and Life Balance Enthusiast!  She has graciously given me permission to share a post from her blog dated July 18, 2012.  (Check out her website – she is helping people make great, positive changes!) Ever feel like your life is falling apart? Since October I have been struggling to find a solution for the cloudy vision in my right eye. It reminds me of a dirty contact that has a protein build up…the problem is that I can’t take my eye out and clean it up. I have tried Eastern and Western Continue Reading

One of the things I love best about God… He ALWAYS keeps His promises. I am tired. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” I’ve messed up. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins…” (That means that the slate is wiped clean!) I feel so anxious. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your Continue Reading