Loosening My Grip

It isn't quite time to "let go", but I think I need to start loosening my grip.

There are just a few weeks left in Elizabeth's junior year of high school. Next year at this time we'll be in the midst of graduation plans. *yikes!* And soon after, my baby girl will be headed off to college, and then - if she's anything like me - she'll never really "live at home" again.
*mix of excited-for-her-but-sad-for-me feelings in my tummy*

So last Friday I came to a realization when Elizabeth told me about plans she'd made with friends. They were all going to meet at a local park and hang out for the evening. Ride bikes, play on the swings, talk - just doing things teenagers like to do.
That was all fine with me, until she mentioned they were planning to meet about 5 or 5:30, and I said, "What about eating dinner?" Elizabeth said she would grab a snack "or something" before she left. And that's when my control issues flared.
I immediately thought, You can't just grab something and go. You need to be here for dinner. We need to eat together as a family. Doesn't all the latest research point to how important it is for families to eat dinner together? We have to do things right. We must eat together.

Because it's important to do what the researchers say is important, right?
I mean, if I let her go hang out with her friends instead of staying home to eat with her family, I might be viewed as an unloving mom who doesn't care about the well-being of her daughter. Right?
And I certainly don't want to be viewed that way. Because I do love my daughter. And I am concerned about her well-being.

But then something happened.
I asked myself, Why?
Why do I think it would be better for Elizabeth to stay home and eat dinner with us, than for her to go spend time with her friends? Because I'm concerned about what other people would think of me? Because I'm afraid of letting her go???
That's when the reality hit me about her moving on in the near future. And I realized letting her go hang out with her friends didn't mean I was "letting her go", but that I was loosening my grip.
My baby girl is growing up, and she will leave the nest one day. I realize I can't change that fact. And, honestly, I don't want to. Rather, I want my baby girl to grow into the young woman God has created her to be. To live for Him and honor Him as a mature, independent adult.

So, with the knowledge that she would be back in a few short hours, I sent her off to be with her friends. And when she got home and told me about all the fun they'd had together, I was so glad I'd loosened my grip. She would have been totally bored if I'd made her stay home. *wink*

Chosen

Encouragement for Frustrated Moms

I received this text from a friend a few days ago:

Can you remind me that I don't suck because I yell when I lose my temper sometimes?

I replied to her this way:

YOU ARE AWESOME, AND YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD.
EVEN WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR TEMPER AND YELL.

The same is true for you, my friend.
My frustrated, tired, irritable, overwhelmed, trying-really-hard-to-get-it-right-friend.
God - who is perfect in every way - loves you in every moment. Even when you blow it sometimes and do the things you really don't want to do.
I am convinced HE looks on you with love and compassion in those moments, wanting for you to come to Him for the help and grace you need. His arms are open and His love is unending.

Run to HIM!

So the Lord must wait for you to come to him
so he can show you his love and compassion.
For the Lord is a faithful God.
Blessed are those who wait for his help.
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem,
you will weep no more.
He will be gracious if you ask for help.
He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.

Isaiah 30:18-19 (NLT)

Blog Forecast: IRREGULAR

The other night I had a blog planning session.

That is, in the moments before I fell asleep, I was thinking realistically about my ability to maintain Monday through Friday postings over the next few weeks.

I am going to be attending a women's conference later this week - Thursday to Sunday. I am sooooo looking forward to it. Very excited about the extended time alone with my Lord. But I also understand the reality of what that time away will do for my ability to prepare other things - this blog included.
The following Sunday I am speaking at a women's event. It's a talk I have given before. Just making some minor changes. But I do need to dedicate some time to refreshing and preparing. I owe that to the women to whom I will be speaking.
Twelve days after that talk, I am giving a new talk to a MOPS group. I have started writing this new talk, which is based on the devotion I wrote for the NIV Mom's Devotional Bible. (Due out soon!) I basically know what I want to say, but I still need to work out the details. I want to honor God with the opportunity I've been given to speak to these moms. Therefore, I want to devote enough time to prayer and preparation.

For these reasons, my plans for this blog over the next few weeks are - well - irregular.
I'm not saying I won't be posting at all. I just don't know when I will.

So, feel free to stop in any time. Just understand you might see "old" material.
And - of course - I welcome your prayers as I attend this conference, and as I prepare and deliver these talks. To GOD be the glory!

Keep On!

Lessons From the Edge

Laughter is good for the soul.

During our lunch break Wednesday, one of my co-workers pulled this video up for all of us to enjoy. We had so much fun watching it!
Go ahead and enjoy it for yourself. And, um, I dare you not to laugh! *wink*

New Self-Talk

I've mentioned that one of the ways I am combating depression is with improving my self-talk. When I do something which would typically send me downward, I literally say to myself, "It's OK," and I move on with life. It's a pretty good set up.

So, last weekend Brian was watching me make dinner. I was browning two pounds of ground beef and he commented something about that being a lot of meat. I went on to explain that I'd purchased a two-pound package and put it in the freezer without breaking it down first. (I probably said, "It's OK," when I realized my oversight. *wink*) So as I was making my menu plans for the week, I decided to make lasagna one night and tacos the next. That way I could use up all the ground beef in two nights. Voila! Problem solved.
And, right on cue, Brian said, "You're awesome!"
I looked at him and smiled. "Thanks. I needed that." He asked me why, and I told him I'd been feeling down because of some stupid/forgetful things I'd done. (Or NOT done, as the case may be. *ahem*) And, right on cue again, he asked if I'd been practicing my self-talk. I assured him, I was. Several times that day I had told myself, "It's OK." Avoided the downward spiral, but I still wasn't feeling very good.
Then I had a light bulb moment and said, "I know! I need to change my self-talk. From now on I'll say, 'It's OK. And I'm AWESOME!'"

Yeah. That ought to make me feel good. *wink*

Are You Aware?

My deepest awareness of myself is that I am deeply loved by Jesus Christ and I have done nothing to earn it or deserve it.

~Brennan Manning

My friend texted me this quote a few days ago and, on my first read, I agreed with it.
Yes, indeed. I am deeply loved by Jesus and have done nothing either to earn or deserve it.
I could agree with that. For sure!

But then I read it again, and the first phrase caused me to question my agreement. I know I am deeply loved. But that part about it being my deepest awareness of myself? I wondered, is that really true of me? Am I that aware of Christ's love for me?
Honestly, I don't think I am. But I want to be!
And so I pray God will continue to transform my heart and my thinking. Father, please take me to the place where my deepest awareness will be that I am deeply loved by You.

How about you? What is your deepest awareness of yourself?

Beauty and the Beau: Email Edition

I didn't mean to peek. Really. I didn't!

I simply opened my computer and there it was, right on my screen. My daughter's open email account.

And it was opened to an email from Beau. Made me smile as I read it was to "The Best Girl in the World Elizabeth".
My peripheral vision told me it was OK to look at the context of the message.
Honest! I wasn't peeking on purpose!
And as I read the message's contents, I was even more delighted. Scripture verse after scripture verse. I could tell by the topic of each verse that Nick was helping Elizabeth plan her upcoming study for the Good News Club. (A Bible study she co-leads at school.) And it simply blessed my heart to see him supporting her in this way.

Yeah. He's a keeper! *smile*

God Made You on Purpose

Lessons From the Edge

Don't take it personally.

It's really hard sometimes, but we need to do it.

Or, NOT do it, as the case may be.

We were sitting in our staff meeting Monday morning and a couple of my co-workers were discussing a "situation". Seems a family member of one of the residents talked with one of the kitchen staff over the weekend, and that particular staff person took offense at what was said to her. She thought the family member was rude and mean and she was quite hurt by the way that person spoke.
As my co-workers continued talking about the situation, more things were revealed about the circumstances facing that family member: difficulties dealing with her mother, trying to manage her father's back pain, frustration with mixed up communication, and on it went. Until someone piped up, "She probably didn't mean to be rude. She was probably just tired from everything else going on in her life with her parents." And another added, "Yeah. We can't take these things personally."

In the moments which followed that revelation we all agreed - many of our interactions with family members of residents fall under the same conditions. Most of the time we are dealing with rude people, it isn't because they're malicious. Rather, they're tired and are responding to their frustrating circumstances.
We do everyone a disservice if we take a bad attitude personally.

That conversation got me thinking about interactions I have with people outside of Edgewood. How many times do I get bothered by the way someone treats me, feeling like they're just being mean? Yet I really have no idea what they've been facing that day. It could very well be they aren't being mean on purpose. They might just be having a rough time with life - and I happen to be on the receiving end of their frustration. Oh, how I would benefit by letting those rude comments roll right off my back.

Can you see how you would benefit in the same way?

The next time you're face to face with someone who is being less-than-sweet to you, and you feel like getting upset because of their treatment - try remembering that they might be in the middle of a hard time, and it may be they're just blowing off steam.
Then do yourself a favor: Don't take it personally.

What I Can't Say

*Ugh!*

I want to say so much. But I can't.

I want to say, "Seriously??? Do you see the double standard here? Why are you so concerned about her feelings and being nice to her when she does this kind of thing to you? Don't you see that she's doing the very thing which she says she doesn't want you to do? Do you see this whole thing is really all about her? What she wants, according to her time-frame, and on her terms? Why do you let her do this to you???"

One of my daughter's *best* friends is being - imho - incredibly selfish, self-centered, and unreasonable. I can make this observation, because I have acted the same way before. And it drives me crazy to see my girl so torn up about it - wanting to please and appease this friend, while still fulfilling her other obligations. The mama bear in me wants to tell my daughter what I really think about her friend's behavior, and release my girl from all feelings of unreasonable guilt. But I know such a rampage would accomplish nothing for the benefit of anyone.

So I won't say it.

Instead, I will remember I was once a teenager who acted in a similar way.
Still do, some days.
I was a girl in need of guidance and grace.
Still am.
I will remind myself how I benefited from time and maturity, and trust the same will be true for my daughter's friend. I will pray for her. For both of them! And I will ask God to give me the wisdom I need - to produce the words I can say - which will help my girl and her friend through this bump in their relationship.

LORD, please help me!

There's No Place Like Home

Read this quote yesterday.

Left me feeling kinda dreamy.

Kinda HOMEsick.

This is and has been the Father's work from the beginning - to bring us into the home of His heart.

~George MacDonald

Please Excuse Me While I Climb up on a Soapbox

I watched this video clip with my husband Sunday morning. And we shook our heads at the notion that anyone needs more of an excuse to blow off personal responsibility.

Moments later, Brian was getting ready to head out the door with the camera. He needed to do some recording, and said, "I hope the battery doesn't run out on me." To which I replied, "Did you think of this last night?" Meaning, It would have been a good idea to charge the battery before you needed to use it. *ahem!* And I followed up with a comment about the personal responsibility issue we'd just been discussing.
Then a light bulb came on and we both said, "But it's the family's camera!" So we're all responsible for charging the battery! I told Brian if the battery died on him in the middle of the recording, he could blame me. It would be my fault. And just as quickly he said it would also be Elizabeth's fault. And Joshua's. And Matthew's! But not Brian's. No sir.

Because why should we take personal responsibility for anything?

OK. I'm finished now. Climbing down. *wink*

A Moment with Lynn

Lessons From the Edge

Sometimes sunshine is shaky, wrinkled, and forgetful.

What do you think of when you say the word, sunshine?
Do you see images in your mind's eye of a bright blue sky surrounding a giant yellow orb which shoots out long rays of shimmering beauty? Maybe with alternating flecks of orange?

Ooo! I just Googled "sunshine images" and found this one. Yeah. This is what I'm talking about!
It's beautiful, fresh, and full of life. *ahhhhhhh*

However, I've been observing a different kind of sunshine at Edgewood.

I have a habit of greeting particular residents when I come into work by saying, "Good morning, sunshine!" And the smile they return for my greeting is one which truly does warm my heart, the way sunshine warms my skin.
Yes, I would certainly describe these residents as warm. But to say they have anything else in common with my image of sunshine? I really couldn't do it.
Perhaps 40 or 50 years ago they could have been described as beautiful (or handsome), fresh, and full of life. But today those words just don't match. Today they struggle to stand up. They pass gas frequently and openly. They can't keep their hands still. And, quite frankly, sometimes they really don't look very good at all.

Yet, every time I see them I am compelled to say, "Hello, sunshine!" And the way their face lights up with my greeting always, always warms my heart. So I will continue my sunshine greeting with these folks, in spite of the fact they aren't very 'sunshine-y'. Because I am learning to see them in a different light. And in this light - they are beautiful!

Sometimes sunshine is shaky, wrinkled, and forgetful.

Is there someone in your world who needs to know you see them as sunshine?

Preach It, Brother!

As a pastor, I am constantly trying to challenge our parents with the verse, 'His mercies are new every day.' So we have to let ourselves go a little bit—because here's what I've found with Christian parents especially: we take too way too much credit and way too much blame for the way our children turn out.

~Ted Cunningham on Focus on the Family interview, "Moving Beyond Performance-Based Parenting"

I read this quote on Sara's blog and wanted to hear more from this man.
Because what he said about credit and blame resonated with me.
So I did a little Google search and found the interview. Oh, so glad I did!
He has a lot of good stuff to say.

If you have half an hour, I highly recommend giving it a listen.

I Want to be HIS Instrument

I felt a little awkward recently.

And a little too "good".

I was on the receiving end of gushing compliments and thanksgiving for the work I did in organizing the Among Friends Conference at my church last month. I was told what an amazing person I am, how wonderful it was that I put in so much time and effort to bring the conference to Lansing, and how I made a difference in the lives of so many women.
And - while it felt shamefully wonderful to have such kindnesses showered upon me - I knew GOD is the One who deserves the glory.
A couple days later I was praying, confessing my pride - and declaring my desire to honor God, alone. I told God I never want to steal any of HIS glory. And I asked forgiveness for taking any of it in the aftermath of Among Friends.
And as I sat there with my Father, pouring out my heart and asking Him to cleanse it, HE gave me a wonderful picture. I told God I want to be His instrument, and He moved me to think about a grand piano.
Have you ever heard someone play one of those? I mean really play one? As in - a trained, gifted, dedicated pianist who can produce sounds you never would imagine could come from just one person and a piano? I have been blessed to hear some of those performances and as I considered those moments while I was praying, I had a delightful "revelation".
I have never - not even once - at the end of one of those performances been moved to approach the piano and tell it how amazing it was during the concert. Even the very shiny, beautiful grand pianos which sparkle just so when the lights hit them have never been the recipients of my praises. No matter how beautiful the music was.
Because the piano is simply the instrument, and the praise belongs to the pianist.

Are you seeing the picture God was painting for me?

I sat on my bed, hugging my Bible, saying, "Yes, LORD. Yes! I want to be Your instrument. I want to be used by You to do beautiful things. I want You to do things through me which I cannot do on my own. I want to bring glory to You. But I don't ever want to steal Your glory!"

So now, whenever someone starts complimenting me because of what God did - and I start feeling like I'm more than I am - I pray God will cause me to think of a piano and the lesson HE graciously taught me. Because I really do just want to be HIS instrument.

Please Pray

I am very excited about today - particularly, this evening. I will be speaking for a Moms' Night Out at the United Methodist Church of Ludington.
Over the past months, I have spent much time praying for this event. I've been asking God to bring women in who need to hear about the hope HE has given to me. I've been asking HIM to make a way for each mom who thinks there is no way she can make it. And I would like to ask you today to join me in prayer for tonight.
Please pray that every scheme of Satan to keep women away would be foiled. Please pray for child-care to be found, and for schedules to be cleared so moms can come. Pray that God will be preparing the heart of each woman who will be there - that she may be ready to hear everything HE wants to say.
And pray for me - that I may speak everything and only what HE wants me to say. I want to be God's instrument of grace and hope to mothers who need encouragement and peace.

The program begins at 6:30 tonight. If you can make it, I'd love to see you there! (More details in the sidebar to the right.)

Oh, and I'll have a long (late!) drove home after the event, so I'd appreciate prayers for that time, too. Thanks!

The Reason I Don't Have a Video Today...

...is because I was doing this on Thursday:

Yes, it's time for us to start visiting colleges - so Elizabeth can begin to make a decision about where she wants to attend. Thursday we visited two schools in Grand Rapids.

And this week we'll be visiting a couple more. Then, there are the ones outside of Michigan in which she's interested...Not sure when those visits are going to happen. Actually, when I think of my baby girl going to college - there are many things of which I am not sure. Oh, so glad God knows!

And that will be the devotional thought I'll leave with you today: When you consider how much you don't know, you can be sure God sees it all - and HE knows what to do. May you find joy in trusting HIM today.

It's a GOOD Friday

With Jesus' last breath on the cross, He declared the debt of sin canceled, completely satisfied. Nothing else required. Not good deeds. Not generous donations. Not penance or confession or baptism or...or...or...nothing. The penalty for sin is death, and we were all born hopelessly in debt. He paid our debt in full by giving His life so that we might live forever.

Charles Swindoll, Walk with Jesus, p.45

That's it. Jesus said, It is finished. And our debt was paid.

On this Good Friday, may you remember with somber and sincere joy what Jesus has done for your soul. If you aren't quite sure about Jesus, and have questions about His death and resurrection, please email me. I would love to talk with you!

May the peace of Christ rest upon you today!

Beauty and the Beau: He's a Keeper

Those are the words which were spoken to me Monday night.

"He's a keeper."

We had a special event at work: The Dance for the Cure. It was a fundraiser for the Alzheimer's Association. And I had a few special guests join me there: my hubby, my daughter (a.k.a. Beauty), and her Beau.
Well, Beauty and the Beau made it their mission to dance with as many Edgewood residents as they could, and they brought great joy to so many!
I caught this one on video...

It delighted my heart to see the two of them dancing and bringing smiles to the faces of these men and women who are so dear to me.
Several people asked me if Beau is my son, and when I responded that he is Beauty's boyfriend, one person told me, "He's a keeper!" This man (the son of one of our residents) went on to say that he'd been watching Beau all evening - dancing with these little old ladies - and he just knew this young man is exceptional.

Have you ever heard the suggestion, If you want to know a person's character, watch how he interacts with a senior citizen? Well, let me just say, Nick passed that test with flying colors!

Besides that, when my daughter is with him, she is so happy.

God's Lavishness

OK, friends, I'm still thinking about it.

Still thinking about Saturday morning at Among Friends when I sang with Kathy Troccoli.

That was so.much.fun!!!

But it was unnecessary.
I realized that afternoon (as I was walking floating around with a great big smile on my face) God's gift to me was completely.unnecessary. And - to me - that is one of the reasons it was so wonderful!
I remember saying to Him several times, God, You didn't have to do that for me today. But You did it, anyway. Thank You!!!
Because I realized, in the grand scheme of eternity, me singing a song with Kathy Troccoli has virtually no value. It did nothing to balance the universe. It didn't bring about world peace. No one was cured of a disease just because I got to live my dream.

God's orchestration of that event was absolutely frivolous.

And that's why it delights me so much. Because I believe it is another indicator of His lavish love. God knew how much I would love that gift, and that's why He gave it to me. Not because of some amazing eternal impact, but because of God's lavish love which He desires to pour out on us.

I want to invite you to pause for a moment right now and contemplate God's lavishness. If you don't believe He is passionately in love with you, that nothing delights Him more than loving you, I want to ask you to stop what you're doing, close your eyes, and just imagine yourself looking into His eyes. Ask God to speak His love to you in this moment. Ask Him to show you His lavish love.

I'm praying for you, friend, that God will reveal His great love for you!

I'm A Little Slow

I know. No major revelation there! *wink*

But I surprised myself recently at how s-l-o-w I really can be sometimes.
It was the weekend of the Among Friends Conference - and I had been a busy girl. Was pretty much away from my house from Thursday at noon until Saturday at 3:30. Yes, I slept there Thursday night, but that doesn't amount to much in terms of family interaction time. Ya know?
Anyway, as I was walking in the door Saturday, Elizabeth was walking out to spend time with a friend. But she was back within an hour or so. And I said, "Wow! That was quick!" She said her friends were going to a movie, but she didn't want to miss dinner because I had been gone all weekend. So she decided to skip the movie.
I thought that was sweet. But didn't think much more of it.

I made dinner and we ate together as a family. Then I sat down to work on some Among Friends accounting, and Elizabeth washed the dishes.
Elizabeth was finished with her chore long before I was, and she came and stood by me while I counted and added and re-counted and re-figured... When I finally realized she wasn't really "doing" anything except watching me I asked Elizabeth, "Is there something you want to do with me?" She just kind of looked at me, and I could see she was on the verge of tears. So I stood up and the two of us walked into my bedroom and plopped down on the bed for some mother/daughter talk time.
As Elizabeth poured her heart out, I prayed and asked God to give me the words to say to this sweet, precious girl He's entrusted to my care. We had a great conversation. As I listened to my daughter, I grew to love her even more. Didn't know that was possible! And then I wrapped my arms around her and prayed - knowing our God is able to lead her and make her into the woman He wants her to be. It was truly a beautiful time together.

And then it dawned on me. The reason Elizabeth skipped the movie was because she wanted to talk with me. Don't know why it took so long for me to realize it...
Like I said, I'm a little slow!

Dreams Do Come True!

So, when I signed off a week and a half ago, I promised I'd be back with stories and pictures from the Among Friends conference. What I didn't realize is when I took my camera out of the case to start snapping pictures, I would find that the SD card had been removed.
And not returned.
*Joshua!!!!!*
I consoled myself with the fact that my blog readers are all very gracious women, and you certainly wouldn't hold it against me if I didn't post pictures.
Right?

Suffice it to say, the conference was wonderful. About 800 women gathered together to worship, laugh, cry, listen and learn. We truly were among friends, and it was just what we needed.
And at the very end, it got even better!

Without my knowledge, two of my friends planned a wonderful surprise for me. They told Kathy Troccoli's event administrator that I sing lots of Kathy's songs. And she passed the message on to Kathy. As Kathy was saying her Thank You's to everyone who helped with the event, she mentioned that I had been behind bringing the conference to Trinity.
Then she called me up onto the stage.
And invited me to sing her closing song with her!
Friends, it has been a dream of mine to sing WITH Kathy Troccoli, but it was not a dream I ever expected to become a reality. Ever. But it did. And my friend recorded it on her phone.
Sooooo, I don't have any pictures to share with you, but I do have a video of me singing with Kathy Troccoli!

Think your dreams can't come true?
Think again!

It's OK

"It's OK."

I have been finding myself making that statement to myself more and more lately.
I forgot to put birthday cards out at work for the staff to sign on the first of the month. And when I realized it on the 6th - because I missed somebody's birthday - before I started beating myself up (as was my former habit), I said out loud, "It's OK."
I woke in a slight panic Friday night with the realization I hadn't ordered linens for the Among Friends Conference this weekend. When I checked my information sheet Saturday morning I saw that, yes, they were supposed to be ordered by 5:00 Thursday - if they were going to be delivered on Monday. But I knew I could pick them up myself. They didn't really need to be delivered. And I spoke again, "It's OK."

I cannot tell you how freeing that short statement has become to me.

Before my depression diagnosis and treatment, those two incidents would have sent me into a pit - where I would have been crying and beating myself up for not being perfect, and not being able to do everything perfectly.
I had very unrealistic expectations of myself, and it was miserable.
That isn't to say I no longer care about doing my best at things. I still have high expectations. But I have learned the world will not end as a result of me messing up, or not being able to do all things at all times. I have learned to give myself grace, and to accept my limitations. What a wonderful lesson to learn!

All that to say, I am going to take a short break from this blog. The Among Friends Conference is happening this weekend and I will be spending most of my day today getting ready for it. I usually spend significant time on Thursdays preparing my blog for the next week. But while I am on this streak of giving myself grace I have decided it would be good to not push myself to the point of irritability by trying to spend most of my day doing TWO things at once. Make sense?

Soooooo, I'll plan to be back on Monday the 25th.
With plenty of pictures and stories about Among Friends.

In the mean time, keep your eyes fixed on HIM!

Are You on the Long Way Around?

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea.

Exodus 13:17-18

Have you ever felt certain that God was leading you the long way around on a journey? I hope it will encourage you to know He’s been going the long way for thousands of years.

When He led the Israelites out of Egypt, freeing them from years of slavery, He took them the long way around too. God knew if He took them the shorter way there was a chance they might turn back. They might stop following Him and would miss out on His plan for them. God knew something they did not know, so He led them the long way around.

Surely, it was not for lack of compassion that God made the Israelites walk longer. He knew they were weary from their years of servitude. He knew they would grumble about not having food and water. He knew they would be fearful and complain about the wandering. But He would provide. He would lead them with pillars of cloud and fire. God knew what the Israelites needed — though they could not see — and He was faithful to deliver exactly what they needed. He was faithful to deliver them to the Promised Land.

What road are you traveling today? Does it feel too long? Are you tired of walking? Do you wish God would show you the short cut? Be assured — God knows what He’s doing. Keep following where He leads!

Three weeks from today...

...I will be speaking for a Moms' Night Out event in Ludington, Michigan.

On April 2, at 6:30 pm, I am scheduled to speak for a Moms' Night Out at the United Methodist Church of Ludington, and I.can't.wait!
I enjoy any opportunity I have to speak with moms, but these Moms' Night Out events are - by far - my favorite.
I love that we have extended time together and are able to go deeper than at a typical moms group meeting.
I love the prayer time at the end of the program.
And I love the fellowship afterward.

If you're going to be in northern Michigan on April 2, I would love to see you there. And if you know any northern Michigan moms-who-need-encouragement, please tell them about this event!

Please contact Kristen for tickets, or if you have questions.

The Wonders HE Has Done

I'll get us started...
The past couple weeks have been crazy-busy for me, especially as I'm getting ready for the Among Friends Conference this weekend. I have often felt like there was too much for me to do, and I have been overwhelmed.
What an absolute delight it has been to see God intervene and make a way for me.
I pray daily, JESUS, please order my steps! And HE has. Over and over again, I see God clearing my path and showing me where to walk.

Thank You, JESUS!

Please take a moment to leave a comment telling of the wonders you've seen God doing.

Lessons From the Edge

God's got it!

OK, this is another lesson which isn't *new* to me. Or to you, either, I suppose.
But sometimes the things we already know are worth repeating.

Ya know?

*wink*

Bingo at Edgewood is a very big thing. The residents love live for it. And for one reason or another I have been having trouble recently finding regular volunteers to call Bingo. (Mondays at 3, Thursdays and Saturdays at 7 - for any of you who might be interested...) So I often end up staying late, or going back in to call Bingo myself.
Now, you know I love my Edgewood friends, but there does come a time when I'm ready to not be there anymore.

Well, I thought I had someone lined up to call Bingo last night, but by the time I left work Wednesday afternoon - I hadn't heard from him. And in spite of my attempts to find someone else, I figured I would need to make a trip in Thursday night to call Bingo.
And I might not have been very happy about that prospect. *ahem!*

But yesterday, as I was going about my business, enjoying my day off *smile!* I got a text from my boss. And I panicked for just a second.
What did I forget to do???
But when I read the text, I learned that my "missing" Bingo caller had just called Edgewood to say he'd be there Thursday night.
I had a HUGE smile on my face as I looked heavenward and thanked God for taking care of my little details. Not always according to my schedule, but always right on time!

Are you worried about something today?
Remember: God's got it!

Confirmation: It's Really Happening

Tuesday I found this message in my inbox:

Visit Calvin
Calvin Visit Confirmation

And it contained (in part) this letter:

Dear Elizabeth,

I am delighted that you are planning to visit Calvin! I have begun to make the arrangements for your time on campus and thought it would be helpful to confirm the details of your visit with you.

*gulp!*

I knew it was coming. I was standing with Elizabeth when she made the reservations for our campus visits. But, somehow, the confirmation email made it all more real.

My baby girl is getting ready to leave the nest.

We'll be visiting two college campuses in Grand Rapids at the end of the month. More to come on later dates... And I need to get ready.
This is the time when my faith in my loving Father is going to carry me. I know God knows where Elizabeth will go to college. HE knows what she'll do and how she'll do it. HE has great plans, and I can trust Him.
So thankful that GOD has it all figured out!

With what (or whom) do you need to be trusting God today?

I Want to be Like that Dog

The other day I was stopped at an intersection, waiting for the light to turn green, when I saw a man on a bicycle riding toward me.

And there by his side was a big, beautiful, black dog.

The man rode out onto the street in front of my van, and the dog trotted right along with him. I watched as the man slowed to turn the corner, and observed the dog slowing exactly as his master did. They stopped together, and waited together, and when the man started riding across another road, the dog immediately followed.
I noticed the dog did not hesitate to cross the street with his master after they had waited at the side of the road. Even though there were cars driving by, the dog went obediently after his master. And I marveled at the trust that dog was expressing.
He paid attention to his master's every move and kept up with his every step.
The dog didn't stop his master to discuss the benefits of waiting for this or that car to move or stop; he just trusted his master to know when it was safe to go.
The dog never dropped back to see if his master was going to make it safely across the street before he followed. He simply trotted along - in obedience and trust.

As I sat at the intersection, watching the man on a bicycle and his faithful dog, I saw a beautiful picture of what it looks like to follow Jesus.
And I thought to myself, I want to be like that dog.

Gotcha!

Joshua was telling Brian and I about his fishing adventures during dinner a couple nights ago. At one point he became quite animated, recalling a raft which was in the river - just like one he and his friends want to make some day.
He told us they were going to take it out for a ride, but didn't have time. And I commented something like, "That's a good thing, since it wasn't yours."
Joshua began to defend their intentions to "borrow" the raft by saying, "Well, no one was using it."

And that's when it got good.

I looked at Brian and said, "When I go to Meijer and see a nice car in the parking lot, maybe I should take it out for a ride - since no one is using it."
And Brian replied, "Yeah. And just think of all those things on the shelves at Meijer which no one is using. Maybe you should take those, too!"
We laughed, and Joshua rolled his eyes. But I wasn't finished. "Oh, and what about the car dealership down the road? There are lots of nice cars in that parking lot which no one is using!"
Finally Joshua interrupted, "OK. I get it."

Our point had been made.

After dinner, Brian and I congratulated each other on our witty lesson. And I realized once again that I am becoming quite the accomplished indirect communicator. *eye roll*

What God CAN Do

I'd love for you to read along with me today!
Go ahead and grab your Bible, and open up to Exodus 5:22.

Lessons From the Edge

Take time to have fun with your family.

Last Friday I interviewed B for his Resident of the Week feature. And when I got to my last question, "As you think back over your life, what would you say is the greatest lesson you've ever learned?" he hardly had to take time to think about it. B just paused briefly, then looked at me and said, "Take time to have fun with your family."
Typically, the life-lessons I hear from Edgewood residents are full of wisdom, and are often quite challenging. But none has been as immediately applicable as B's was for me last week.

Friday when I got home from work, I got busy making dinner - as I usually do. I was looking forward to the weekend, and an opportunity to have some down time - just doing what I want to do. And I was anticipating that doing-what-I-want-to-do-thing beginning right after dinner. However, during dinner the kids started talking about playing a game after dinner. The suggestion was Rummikub, and I could get on board with that idea. I like Rummikub!
But somewhere between my agreeing to play the game and the time it actually started, the game of choice became Monopoly, not Rummmikub.
And now I didn't want to play anymore.
Monopoly was fun to me as a kid, but now I think it takes too long. And it's boring. I seem to spend half my time in jail just trying to roll doubles so I don't have to pay money to get out. Boring!
So I just wasn't going to play.

But then something (or rather, SomeONE) prompted me to put aside my feelings and play anyway. So, I did.
Brian and I, Matthew, Elizabeth, and her friend stayed up until way past my bedtime playing Monopoly. Oh, I spent my fair share of time in jail - never did get those doubles! - and by the time the game was over I was so tired I could barely see straight.
But we had so.much.fun! We laughed a lot. We became expert negotiators, as we tried to convince one another to sell us the properties we wanted. And we learned what happens when you mortgage yourself so far into debt there's nowhere to turn. You lose!
We all went to bed happy that night, because we'd had such a fun time. And as I reflected on my original intent to skip the game - compared to my present satisfaction with having played - I realized the value in the lesson B had shared that morning.

Take time to have fun with your family.

Mmmmmm. That's Good!

I saw this gem on Facebook.

Don't do something permanently stupid, just because you're temporarily upset.

Sometimes I am silenced by depth of wisdom in a few little words.

41 or 12? Sometimes it's hard to tell...

Last week, Matthew had a little melt-down.
It was an "early release" day at school - which the kids generally LOVE - and when I got home from work, Matthew was watching a movie. (Probably because he'd gotten all his homework done as soon as he got home. haha) And as I began preparing dinner, he moved to the family room to play some of his favorite X-Box games.
I am not totally out of it. I realized he had been probably filling his extra couple of hours that day with lots of screen-time activities.
Something very interesting happened when I told the kids it was time to set the table.
Matthew could barely MOVE.
At first I thought he was just mad because I made him get off the X-Box to set the table. But then I realized it was because Matthew was soooooooo tired. Seriously. Every move he made came with extensive effort. In fact, he had to rest his head on the table as he placed the napkins.
It was quite a sight to see. *wink*
Matthew's drama sleepiness continued through dinner, and when Elizabeth was ready to leave for youth group, Matthew said he couldn't go. He was toooooo tired!
Although Brian and I told Matthew it would be good for him to go to youth group and be active - because he certainly hadn't been active playing video games and watching movies all day! - he continued his lethargic protest.
I knew he would perk up at youth group (He always does!) and really wanted him to go. But in his desperate plea for us to recognize how tired he was, Brian gave him a choice: Go to youth group, or be in bed - lights out; no books, games, or otherwise - at 8:00.
That's when the water works started. Tears, and cries about how unfair Brian's options were.

And just about the moment I was rolling my eyes at Matthew's drama, it was as if I could feel God's elbow gently poking my side. It was as if HE was directing my attention to the numerous times I have cried and protested about the decisions God has put before me.
Oh, I know God knows what is best. HIS wisdom is perfect. I should listen to Him and do what He says. Every time, and without questioning.

But sometimes I don't.

I guess sometimes I act more like I'm 12 than 41. *ahem*

How old are you acting today?

Beauty and the Beau: Sadie's Edition

This weekend was the Sadie Hawkin's Dance at school for Elizabeth, and - of course - she asked Nick to be her date.
And - of course - they were adorable!

They were even crazy (in love) enough to agree to pose for pictures out in the snow!

Brian and I were chaperons for the dance, and had fun watching all the kids dressed up and excited about the evening. We were "stationed" at the end of a hallway, to make sure kids didn't go where they weren't supposed to, which meant we didn't get to "see" the dance. However, Beauty and the Beau made several trips out to visit with us. So we didn't feel totally out of it. *wink*

As we sat, Brian and I reminisced the dances we went to years ago, and it was fun strolling down memory lane. Who woulda thunk - when we were freshmen in college, dancing at the Halloween party (when I told him I was never going to get married!)- that 23 years later we'd be chaperoning a dance for our princess.
Twenty-three years ago my life was so different! I didn't know Jesus. I was on a path which was all about me. What I wanted. What I cared about. What would make me happy. Me, myself, and I. They were the three people I loved most. Who woulda thunk dating Brian and consequently meeting Jesus would have changed my life so completely?

I never thought of that option.
But I'm so glad GOD did!

I have no idea what the next 23 years hold for Beauty and the Beau.
But GOD does.
And I've learned I can trust HIM!

What has God done in your life - which you never would have thought could happen?

GOD is Close to the Brokenhearted

Lessons From the Edge

You're only as old as you behave.

I'd like to introduce you to Elmer.
Of course, he's one of my favorite residents at Edgewood! *wink*
Elmer loves life. He's fun and spunky and eager to do things. Honestly? I don't really know how old he is, but - however many years he's been on this earth - he doesn't act like it! He's a kid at heart. And that's one of the things I love so much about him.
Last Saturday, I caught him on video, dancing (with the daughter of another resident) at our Valentine's Party.

Remember: You're only as old as you behave.

HE Will Make a Way

By now, I'm sure you've read about the Among Friends Conference coming to my home church March 15 & 16.
Several months ago I had the idea that it would be great for Among Friends to come to Trinity. And - as often occurs - when you have the idea, you end up with the bulk of responsibility to make it happen. And I was OK with that.

Honest moment:
Last Sunday I was in a mood, and I made the statement (to myself), I am NOT going to do something like this again. Ever. I was tired of the work, and didn't want to put in any more effort. I wanted someone else to do it, so I could just buy a ticket and enjoy the conference - without the struggle.

Then came yesterday, and God's mercy for my tired heart.
God spent some time showing off. HE was providing, answering prayer, and showing me how HE is in the business of making a way. Where there seems to be no way. And I was reminded of the blessing of being the one who works hard behind the scenes. Because it's here - behind the scenes, doing the leg-work - where you get to see and experience the blessing which occurs before the conference even starts. I can honestly say now, I am blessed - yes, delighted! - to be where I am, doing what I'm doing.

What struggle are you encountering right now, which God might be using to bless you?

Oh! And I really hope Kathy sings this song at the conference:

Late Night One-liners

The other night Elizabeth was at a friend's house to help her friend through some personal issues. Shortly after 10:00 Brian and I decided it was time for bed. We both had to go to work the next morning, Elizabeth was going to be driven home by her friend's mom, and there was really no reason for us to stay up later.

So, to bed we went.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 10:30, I heard Elizabeth's sweet voice outside our door.
"Mommy?"
I told her she could come in, and as she opened the door to find us both in bed she asked, "Oh! Are you trying to sleep?"
Without missing a beat, Brian replied, "No. We're trying to have a party."

I'm beginning to think his wit never sleeps. *wink*

For My Family, with LOVE