I will be sitting close to the stage while I watch my friend’s daughter sing about this hard knock life and leaving us with a promise that the will sun come out tomorrow. This young girl is very talented and was cast as Annie in our 5th Ave Theatre production. Those of us who have watched what it took for her to get there could not be more proud. We will eagerly await for the curtain to open as she comes out to take her bow. I know I will stand to applaud her hard work and heart given Continue Reading
Finding Faith That Makes You Twirl With Joy
Several years ago my daughter was a flower girl at my sister’s wedding. She loved her dress and would twirl all around the venue watching it billow. Several people would come up to her and tell her she was so pretty, to which she smiled and said, “I know”. As her parent, my heart filled with joy watching her soak in the moment as if the whole occasion was about her. She was not hindered by the fear of what others thought. She was not told that she shouldn’t say “I know” because that is Continue Reading
5 Steps To Overcome Angst And Have Authentic Peace
Have you ever been desperate for help? When you receive a promise that help is on the way your natural instinct is to say thank you and you feel an instant warmth of hope, even before the promise has been carried through! You believe and know that the person who has just told you they will help is going to come through, yet at the present moment you are still amidst the problem and the fear. The situation has not changed, your emotion has, you have hope. I believe that the emotion and the Continue Reading
Martha-the-Steward
Hosting is something that I love to do. Opening my home means I am opening my heart to others. The planning, preparing, and producing are in my DNA and bring me great satisfaction. The end product is a reflection of who I am and the standard I set for myself (which is often too high). I can come up with themes and fun ideas, but I am not a decorator. In fact, decorating takes a lot of effort for me. I leave execution of my ideas to those gifted in the Martha Stewart sort of way. Let’s just Continue Reading
Do you think God shops your spiritual gift registry?
I just celebrated another year of living totaling 48 and I am sitting down to write my thank you cards: Dear ______, Thank you for the wonderful birthday gift. It is just what I wanted/needed. I appreciate the thought and time that you put into choosing exactly what I can use and enjoy…. I am old enough to remember shopping for gifts without online wishlists or emailed desires. It was fun to think about the person and anticipate their reaction when they opened it. Shopping was part of Continue Reading
From Busy Bee to Just Be
If you have read "about" me and/or you know me you will know that I have steamroller in my blood. For a steamroller to stop, slow down and sit I have to work on it and it doesn't last long. I know God is showing me areas in my life right now that need me to slow down and BE still. In this fast-paced, one-upping, active affirmation society, being still is very much a label of laziness. But God is a God of rest and reflection. As a Sabbath keeper, I cherish the gift given at creation of a Continue Reading
Venting for Validation
Venting for validation or Confessing for Confirmation When social media first came out I noticed a trend in statuses. People used it as a place to vent and/or confess. What I mean by confess is that they would post something about themselves in the guise of “keeping it real”. The thread of comments would then proceed with validating encouragement and confirmation of their right to such thoughts and actions. Unfortunately that trend is still happening. There is no seeking of council Continue Reading
Train, Treasure and Trust. Proverbs 22:6 in Action.
I am the only one awake in my daughter's first rental home. It is quiet, and I am drinking the first cup of joe made from her new Mr. Coffee. Boxes that need to be flattened cover the floor; dishes and collectables cover the counters. I am overflowing with pride and panic. Watching her unpack and find places for her things reminds me of how carefully she placed plastic dishes in the cupboards of her play kitchen at age two, and with the same excitement in Continue Reading