As I ate lunch with a fairly new friend, I shared my adoption story with her. Conceived in an act of adultery, my biological mother chose adoption. After seven months in a foster home, a young couple became my adoptive parents.
Shipwreck
Have you ever felt an impending “shipwreck” looming on the sea of life? The waves of distress feel insurmountable and going under for the last time inevitable. Looking off in the distance, only the disaster seems visible, not the remedy.
Options
I do not know about you, but when I finally joined Facebook, I experienced so much heartwarming fun. I heard from people I never dreamed I would touch base with again. Everyone seemed cheerful and glad to connect with each other.
Hush and Listen
Ecclesiastes 5:2 jumped off the page at me. I realized it referred to public prayer, but how often did my private prayer time consist of me doing all the talking? I determined I would spend time listening.
Senioritis
Have you ever heard of Senioritis? A conversation with High School or College Seniors may contain that word. Seniors have tired of studying, going to class, and the routine of school. The anticipation of their next endeavor could stand in their way of finishing strong.
Washing Me Clean
It had been raining and gloomy for days. The girls and I played with every doll, conquered many board games and watched Doc McStuffins episodes too many times. We needed a break!
Go With Us!
I am taking a large group of teenagers from Texas to Austria in the coming months. I am already working hard in planning and preparation. I have promised to go with them, to be ready to handle the details of our travel as well as the unforeseen encounters. And I’ve promised to bring them home safely. It is a sobering task.
Today
Does the thought of living today, right now, seem too hard? Maybe. Living in “today” may mean facing health issues, relationship struggles, or financial hardships, according to God’s leading. The suffering and pain that trials bring may feel unbearable and unthinkable.
Spring Fever/Spirit Fever
Have you ever had the feeling of Spring Fever? You just want to get out and do something. You might not even know what it is you really want to do. These words came to me during one of those times:
March: Lion, Lamb or Snail
Ah, the seasons! They are truly one of God’s best ideas. We see His invisible hand in June’s full-flowering beauty, September’s glorious bounty and the pristine purity of December’s first snow. So, what can we say about March?
Make God’s Love Known
Speaking “I love you” does not come easily for me. As a child, I did not hear those words. I was twenty years old when my future husband told me, “I love you.” I eventually found the courage to say the words to him. When I was thirty-one, I finally heard those all-important words from my mom and dad—by phone—across the country.
A God Who Is Jealous
When Biscuit, my seven-year-old Yorkie terrier, hears me talking on the phone or sees my husband and me hugging, he tries to nudge his way onto center stage and claws my legs. He does not tolerate us paying attention to anyone but him! His insecurities take over.
He Wants to Be with Us
Biscuit, our dog, looks for a lap when we sit down. He is on the floor beside our feet when a lap is unavailable. He anticipates a ride in the car when he hears keys jingling. He follows us outdoors. He barks and spins in circles of excitement when invited to go for a walk. While in bed, he snuggles as close between us as he can. He cuddles with me in the sunroom every morning for quiet time with God.
A New Identity
The Yorkie terrier mix was two-and-a-half years old when we rescued him from the pet adoption center. His previous owners had surrendered him a week earlier due to neglect. The reason given was that they did not have time for him. The Center caretaker confirmed this by observing the long, matted fur coat and his insecure behaviors. He carried the dog like a twelve-pound infant child and referred to the pup as “Shiloh.”
Rescued
Our eyes locked momentarily. I knew in that instant that he was the one for me! The adorable dog paced energetically. His barks echoed above the other dogs in their chain-link kennels at the pet adoption center.
Trusting Jesus – In Unknown Waters
As a little girl I loved to sit on the lake pier and dangle my feet in the water while trying to touch the fish floating by with my toes. But I never liked to swim in the lake. The darkness of the water and not knowing what was lurking beneath the surface made me nervous. I had friends who would swing from tree limbs and jump right in to the murky unknown. But not me.
Trusting Jesus – God’s Got Your Back
Some mornings when the alarm clock blares, I feel like pulling the covers over my head – trying to stop the overwhelming thoughts of the tasks of the day. But something moves in my soul that pushes me out of bed. There is more to our day than a to do list. God has our day all planned out. I am sure He laughs at our day planners.
Trusting Jesus – Finding Your Place
When going through the seasons of life, you may struggle finding where you fit in. Things you once valued takes second place, and you look at life differently. Recently I heard a remake of Michael W. Smith’s song, “A Place in this World” by For King and Country.
Trusting Jesus – A Country Church
My doctor’s office lobby has one of the most beautiful paintings of an old white chapel in a field surrounded by bluebonnets. It covers the whole wall. I always try to get a seat facing that painting.