I tentatively opened my summer box. It required an extra dose of courage to yank the first pair of shorts over my hips. Certainly, they shrunk in the dryer last fall (along with the next ten articles after them). In a state of defiance, I marched to the gym scale the next day. Denial melted into ...
Week 14: Sculpting the Enduring Soul
(Part 2 – Trials - the Secret Ingredient to a Full Life) For you know when your faith is tested, your endurance has a change to grow. James 1:3 How did I miss this lesson—that trees need wind for their roots to deepen? Regular, pounding winds cause the roots to thrust downward into bedrock ...
Week 13: The Secret Ingredient to a Full Life
Since this post arrives weekly on Mondays, I decided to change the name from 40 Days in the shade of God’s Care to 40 weeks in the shade of God’s care. My prayer is that we will somehow learn to dwell here—in the refuge of His care. The Secret Ingredient to a Full Life My husband and I approached ...
Day 12: A Strong Wind for Faltering Sails
I’m not very fond of the wind—It does a number on my hair, lifts my skirt at embarrassing times, and bats a thousand at blowing painful material into my eyes. Recently, I ventured outside for a run. Winds were bucking and almost convinced me to curl up with a good book instead. Yet, I was so ...
Day 11: An Off-Road Adventure
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT) I doubt many of us yearn for a typical life? Do you remember how your childhood heart beat with dreams of things you’d do…of places you’d see? How is it, ...
Day 10: An Unfinished Life
I enjoy garage sales, believing genuine treasures can be unearthed with a little vision and some TLC. Recently, however, I assessed a number of these unfinished purchases: Would I ever reupholster those eight unique dining room chairs—or mat and frame the incredible puzzle my daughter and I ...
Day 9: Enjoy & Share
I had an apple tree and an idea: I’d make apple butter from the harvest. It turned out so tasty, I decided to can it. I’d never canned preserves, so I asked help from a friend who assured me of the ease of canning: Fill the jars, screw on the lids, and run them through a cycle in your dishwasher. ...
Day 8: The Invitation
Psalm 28:8 My heart has heard you say, come and talk with Me. And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” I love receiving an invitation from a friend. It says, “I enjoy your company. I care about your life and invite you into mine. I relish the contents of your heart.” It’s one thing to ...
Day 7: Offering the Gift of Our Imperfections
“Stretch out your hand,” Jesus whispered to the man whose hand was withered. I’m sure the man quickly responded by offering his good hand, thinking to himself, “This one, the Master should be able to use.” But Jesus observed the lump carefully tucked into the man’s cloak, “The other one,” He ...
Day 6: Why Should We Pray for One Another
2 May God send you help—and strengthen you... [a] 4 May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. 5 We shout for joy when we hear of your victory... May the LORD answer all your prayers. 7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the ...