Stronger Through Him

 Some days I need a gentle whisper or nudge. Or just a hand to hold me up. Other days my mind is more clear, and I am reading and studying on a deeper plane. And there is truly beauty in each. But this week has been some deeper reading and consequently deeper thinking. A question posed by CS Lewis, one which he said many Christians - including himself- honestly probably struggle with- has had me reflecting at a deeper level.  And hopefully making some adjustments.  CS Lewis spoke of repentance and asked the challenging question-  am I truly asking for forgiveness and accepting my wrong? Or am I asking for God to accept my excuses for my wrong? He already knows our excuses and our circumstances much better than we do.  He is looking for a contrite spirit, remorse and a change of heart (or at least a real desire for that change) concerning the part we did wrong- the sin. Scripture reminds,  “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they mi...

 I almost let it slip away. For the last two weeks. I have thought about my friend Rachael, who passed away a year ago, often.   I had decided it would be a great idea to come up with a grand gesture to properly honor the beautiful woman she was….but I didn’t do it.  And then this morning a friend posted that today marked the one year anniversary. I was going to be hard on myself for not knowing the day, but I realized I could instead be thankful she DID know the day. I remembered the last thing I did for Rachael in this life was to make her some strawberry jam. I quickly decided I would make several batches and take them to all of our mutual friends with beautiful cards attached.   Except I didn’t have the money or the time for that…so I almost scrapped it. But then I remembered how many times we did the best we could with what we had, and had amazing things happen. That’s kind of how God works. So the last of the strawberries from my freezer, the last of the suga...

  I woke up to a smell. You know those days when something offensive is hiding out somewhere? I checked all the obvious places. The dog. The pantry-  all potatoes looked and smelled fine. I took out the trash.   Ran the disposal with some extra baking soda and vinegar.  No luck.  I bleached the sink and scrubbed the counters.   I checked the fridge.   I sprayed air freshener and it still smelled like stink with a hint of orange blossom.  I began hoping a rodent hadn’t died in the wall again.....but it really didn’t smell like that particular putridity.  It was now 2:00 in the afternoon and I was becoming obsessed. Frustrated, and with a now shiny clean kitchen, I began to retrace my steps and smell things up close and personal.   Pantry.  Totally fine.   Trash can......🤢🤢🤢 I removed the newly replaced bag and there in the bottom of the can was a pool of chicken sludge goop that had apparently...

 I felt a bit of nudge from the Spirit today.   Not a full chastisement, but a bit of a prick to my conscience.   “After that day you had yesterday, you didn’t bother to thank Your Father for helping you meet up with Deb?” Chagrined, my thoughts drifted back over yesterday. Earlier this summer I bumped into a former colleague and had to mask my surprise. She was an emaciated, tiny shell of herself and moved with obvious discomfort. I gave her a warm hug, genuinely glad to see her, and she whispered into my ear a request that we meet together for coffee soon. I concurred and yesterday I met up with her.  She bought me a smoothie instead of coffee and we sat outside and talked for 3 hrs.   She shared the struggles of her own body being ravished by an autoimmune disease and we sat quietly in a simple but incredibly deep shared understanding.    All the tests, infusions, surgeries, hospitalizations, delays, waiting, hopelessness, hope, frustrations, lesson...

  No Good Deed... It was 86 degrees and I knew it  was my turn to once again stand by my decision that we don’t need a 1:1 car ratio in our household. George had my car in Illinois.  Alex had his truck in Delaware.  Ella needed her car to go to an appointment in South Bend.   I knew there were literally dozens of people I could call who would happily help out, but I WANTED to do this myself. So I ate a solid lunch, filled up my water bottle, charged my phone AND earbuds (a huge feat for me) and set out on my bike.   It was  actually a pleasant ride, with only one detour, and I arrived in only 37 minutes.   I found some shade, had a cool drink - being sure not to gulp the icy water too quickly as my stomach doesn’t like that- and read a book while I waited for my appointment time.   Out of nowhere I felt a sprinkle on my arm.   Looking up, the sky was mostly blue with a light cloud on the horizon so I returned to my book. ...

https://youtu.be/FLCh58g_2s8   My daughter has an artist she deeply admires - Avery Anna.  Last week she not only saw her in concert, but got to meet her afterwards in a surprise, meet and greet. In 2023, Avery began inviting her fans to bring “let it go letters “ describing past hurts and traumas that they wrote down and metaphorically left on the stage as part of a healing process. Avery collected and read them and has responded to some in musical form. At just 21 years, she is already  understanding her purpose and the good she can do. She uses her platform to share her belief and her love of God as well.    In this message of just 9 short lines she speaks a truth that every woman and mother should hear and deeply absorb.   My mother says I am a pretty girl She says that I have my father's eyes Oh, my mother says that I am beautiful But she picks apart her every shape and size So when my mother says I am a pretty girl While I'm walking around with my mo...

  Her young relative was one of the Camp Mystic campers.   I have seen many people sharing their faith this week. It leads me to ask a simple question. Am I also able to use my times of trouble and trials to testify of Jesus Christ?  “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. … “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” I am humbled and inspired by those who are able to share His light in even the darkest of times.