This is personal. I’ve lived the Fridays. I’ve waited through the Saturdays. 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 in a comfy armchair and scooting isn‘t an option… lean in. Imagine that I’m talking softly - almost whispering. The kind of whisper a mama uses to soothe her Continue Reading
Please Pass the Grace
Hi! If this is your first Thanksgiving here in our community of encouragement, welcome! I’m glad you’re here. And, if you’ve been here a while, this week’s note may have a familiar ring to it. It’s one of my most favorite things I’ve ever written, and the message is always timely. Sending it to you is an annual tradition. Blessings of gratitude to you, my friend. ❤️ It’s the guest many of us bring to Thanksgiving dinner. The guest that can turn a beautiful get-together into a swirling chaos of frustrations, silent tears, and sour Continue Reading
✨ Feeling Invisible but Not Forgotten
Have you ever felt like you suddenly became the Invisible Woman, minus the cool cape and superpowers? One minute you’re right there in the mix—talking, contributing, showing up—and the next you’re standing by the potted plant, holding someone’s purse and silently mouthing, “I’m actually very interesting!” If you’ve ever had that “am I even here?” sensation, you are in good company. We’ve all whispered the same thing. It’s just that most of us say it quietly … because we don’t want to make a fuss. (Right?) And you know, sometimes the Continue Reading
💦 A Splash of Encouragement
You know that moment when you think, Sure! I can totally do this! And then five minutes later you realize, Oh dear. I cannot do this. I have lived that moment. Dog-paddle with me back to the early 1990s to a weekend church retreat when my roommate Lynn and I created a synchronized swimming routine. Good grief. What on earth were we thinking? Here’s the instant replay: We donned our colorful swim caps, tightened our nose plugs, and set our boom box on the edge of the hotel pool. We’d practiced, of course—on our living-room rug. Not Continue Reading
Psst….Got a Little Something for You!
You were on my mind when I created this. I’ve just finished a brand-new freebie called Reignite Your Spirit: A Jumpstart to Anticipating God’s Goodness, and I wanted you to have it right away … …before the laundry buzzes, the microwave beeps, and your to-do list notices you’ve been ignoring it. Because here’s the deal. Encouragement for your heart and nourishment for your soul matter just as much as anything else on your list. This short, hope-filled guide is for the days when your spirit feels a little sluggish and your to-do 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
Speak Truth to Yourself
Ok. Let's review. (She says to herself first.) Here are phrases that do not show up in The Good Book; words that are never said by God, The Great Promise Keeper... You've got a big load of stuff to do today. Good luck with that. Sure wish today was over. It just keeps getting worse. You always mess up. Can't you just get your act together? You've been struggling with that situation for years. It's not going to change. It's never going to end, you know. Bad stuff happens. Never. Said. God does not walk around wringing his Continue Reading
Stuff and Struggles – God Knows
From my heart to yours … If circumstances feel really tough right now … If life feels overwhelming ... If you’re wondering if God moved and didn’t leave a forwarding address … You are not alone. We’ve all been there – or are there now. And this season will pass. (Maybe not on your timeline, but it will pass.) God has good things in store for you. While we wait for things to change, here’s a little note of encouragement for you: God knows. Yes, those two little words … God knows. God knows your disappointment with how Continue Reading
You’ve Got What Someone Needs
Awe-struck probably best describes my reaction. A few years ago, I was watching Fixer-Upper. This was the episode when they developed their new restaurant, the Magnolia Table. What can Joanna Gaines NOT do? She was designing the floor mural, creating the flow of the space, picking out the perfect palette of colors, deciding on the table shapes, and creating special decorating touches that made it look ... like Joanna Gaines did it. And then. Then she started developing the menu. Aaaand creating the recipes. And deciding how to Continue Reading
Settle Into Your Season
The triathlon racers swam a ½ mile. Then they biked 15 miles. And then they ran 3.1 miles. And it was timed. How cool is that! Let me just say … those racers are impressive. (My favorite oldest nephew heard our loudest “You’ve got this!” yells of encouragement, and I was so very proud of him!) And you know which racers inspired me the most? The brave and determined participants who were finishing their swim at the same time some of the fastest were sprinting through the finish line. As the fastest whizzed past them, barely out of Continue Reading
Fill ‘er Up!
Does this sound familiar? You’re driving down the freeway with one eye on the car in front of you and one eye on the fuel gauge that says, “9 miles until empty … 8 miles until empty … 7 miles until empty …” Running on fumes has never felt so real. Best case scenario, a Holiday station will magically appear on the other side of the underpass and you can get that tank filled. But if not, you are willing to give away your last piece of chocolate – or give up chocolate forever – if you can just reach the next off ramp so you can stall Continue Reading
So Many Books. So Little Time.
It’s once again time to clear out some space. So, I’m tackling my book collection. I’m not sure what I’m clearing the space out for – to add new or other things? What would I want instead of books? I can’t imagine. However, I will concede that fewer objects in a room seem to make it easier to breathe. And move. Going through my bookshelves and piles of books on nightstands, tables, and desks has been an exercise of great consternation and frustration. I mean, really. How do you choose who gets to stay and who has to go? Sigh. Some Continue Reading
Salt Makes a Difference
There are cooking phrases that generate great stress for me: Cooking is relaxing. It’s fun. It’s a way I love on my people. (Oh, good grief. Really? Did you know that people could die from your my cooking?) For dinner, make it easy. Just throw a few things together that you find in your fridge. (Are you kidding me? Throw a few things together? What kind of meal will mustard, chia seeds, and a really old apple create?) Just season and serve. (OK. Which seasonings? How much?) Sigh. Cooking was never my happy place. Steve Continue Reading
Set the Temperature
You don’t need anyone to tell you that it’s a bit chilly across our country these days, right? The ice, the snow, and the wind chill are so “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Up here in tundra land (AKA Minnesota), it’s … well, it’s ooftah. Thinking about warmth (or the lack of it) and the temperature in our homes reminds me about living with mom. (Truth be told, there are a whole bunch of moments that remind me of mom.) I wrote this little note a couple years ago and decided to share it again this week. It’s reminding me to stop and ask Continue Reading
Take a Break for Hope and Inspiration!
Are you looking for some joy for your soul, faith encouragement for your heart, and some giggles? Yaasss! I’m providing some of that online next Wednesday, February 10th. Join me and some other faith-and-fun-filled women! I’m doing a Zoom talk for the Fellowship of Christian Business and Professional Women. We’ll gather online from 12:00 noon – 1:00 CST. Take a lunch break, settle back and nourish your spirit! Good news: You don’t need to register. It doesn’t cost you a thing. You don’t need a Zoom account to join; you can also Continue Reading
Our Lifejacket and Anchor
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 thick, low-hanging, midnight-black clouds would reach down and wrap us in darkness. The wind tipped our little sailboat precariously onto its side. The icy rain came at us sideways; it felt like shards of glass on our faces. Once we were able to get the sails down, our captain yelled only one command: “Just hang on!” You bet we did. I’ve never been Continue Reading
Farmers Taught Us Well
I learned it first in farming. Farmers and families coming together when the fields were ready for harvest and the rain was coming tomorrow as sure as the sun comes up. Trucks and combines moving across dusty gravel roads in single file and descending on someone’s farm to help them get their crop in. Then the John Deeres and Massey Fergusons caravanning to the next farm with ears tuned in to weather reports while turning on lights to break through the dusk, and men and women in overalls praying for just a couple more hours. People Continue Reading
My Words and Calvary Love
Do you find this to be true too? It is almost impossible to refrain from complaining when I am doing burpees. Or any other form of exercise that requires me to jump up and down, do a push-up, and shoot my legs back, all within three seconds. When I worked out with my friend Jody at the Y, I typically made sure she knew how I felt about burpees and any other exercises that were hard work. Ugh! Nooo. I can’t! That many more? Whine, whine, whine, and then we’d laugh. But I always explained to her, “I’m not complaining, just informing.” Continue Reading
When Life Becomes the List
Last Sunday afternoon I picked up one of the books I’ve written and started to re-read it. I know. That sounds kind of weird, right? Maybe it was the horrible Vikings game that seemed to drain the life right out of me. (Come on, Vikings! What on earth?) And of course, there’s all the stuff going on in the world that invites us to believe that Hope has walked out the door and bought a one-way ticket to Pluto. Meanwhile, my to-do list seems to be screaming at me while the days get shorter. Sigh. But. I knew that my emotions were Continue Reading
Enjoy Where You Are
The encouragement phrases like, “Live in the moment” and “Be fully present” can be a bit … uncomfortable sometimes. Perhaps even annoying. Right? But there is truth in them for sure. There is power in those statements. I share them with friends and groups. They are little lights along our path that lead us to living a full, rich life. I’m a fan. Here’s the deal … Showing up fully present, paying attention to the people and activity around me? It makes me a better person. A more alive person. A more grateful person. But I admit Continue Reading
Be the Sunshine
When I take the time to consider the influence we have on the hearts of others, it boggles my mind. And it’s a little scary. And amazing. But mostly mind-boggling. Just think about it. We can literally change the course of someone’s day by one word. Or one action. Or one smile. And boy, let’s do our best to change that someone’s day for the better, right? Our ability to influence someone’s heart – change their day – doesn’t happen because we “have a big platform.” Or because we’ve got all our ducks in a row and they’re Continue Reading
Can You See Me?
It was not my finest moment. It was worse than a bad moment. It was a “You’ve got to be kidding me!” moment. Some years ago, I worked as the Corporate Employment Manager for a big firm in downtown Minneapolis. I interviewed job candidates all day. Loved it. But. One day … I was interviewing a young man, and in the middle of the interview, I woke up. Yes, that’s right. I woke up. Somewhere between “Why are you interested in this position?” and “Tell me about a time when …” I fell asleep. But I kept asking the questions. Continue Reading
Heaven is Cheering You On!
YAASSSS! Spring has arrived in Minnesota!The usual clues are showing up. Most noticeably, the orange traffic cones reminding us of the road construction we have to maneuver through. Parkas have been replaced with rain jackets and the icicles hanging from our roofs have melted away.Another clue is the swarm of runners. You can tell they’ve been itching to get out running without the icy roads and sleety weather. They are everywhere! Very cool.Do you enjoy running? If you do, I applaud you! I’m truly impressed. Consider yourself high-five’d. Continue Reading
Who Needs a Chin Lift?
I was walking past the graham crackers in Byerly’s grocery store when the elderly woman in the blue wool coat pushing a grocery cart rushed up to me. “Where are the paper towels?” Her sense of urgency really caught my attention. It came through her voice and her eyes. Panic. Anxiety. Lots of it. “My husband had an ‘accident.’ He’s sitting in the car. He’s so embarrassed. We’re on our way to a quartet reunion and they’re waiting for us.” Oh my. Can’t you just imagine all the emotions her trembling heart was experiencing in those Continue Reading