grace changes everything

We happened to set our music bags down a row apart. Rehearsal wouldn’t start for another ten minutes, so we chatted about the weather, the holidays, the typical what-fills-our-days chatter. Imagine our surprise and delight when

Have you ever been sailing? The experience is vastly different from a speed boat or pontoon. First, sailboats are quieter because they rely on wind power. And second – if it’s a good sailing day –

Dear Friend,

This month I retreated. (Not the pull-back-from-the-fight kind . . . the escape-to-the-mountains-with-Jesus kind. Words are fun, aren't they?)

One thing I was reminded of by fabulous women who joined me is people don't always know what goes on inside us.

Seems pretty obvious, right? While some truths about us might be crystal clear in our hearts, what if the person in front of us hasn't met that piece yet? What if we've never had occasion to tell them? Or maybe they haven't known what to look for?

And it got me thinkin'...which led to a very interesting question....

I never imagined being a writer. But I am a lover of words. I can’t help scooting to the edge of my seat when you share a story. And I’ve never lost that twinge of excitement that comes from opening to the first page of a book I can't wait to read.

Recently I re-found a book I read a decade ago, when I began writing, called Writing Down the Bones.

She looked at me so strangely I wondered what she could possibly be thinking. So I waited as she stared at me with full eyes, as if her whole soul were gathered right there looking out the “windows.”

Then she said,

“You know, one thing I can’t get over this whole weekend is that you are so full of the joy of the Lord.
It flows from you and is so evident. You don’t see that very often, and it’s a beautiful thing.”

Whatever I thought was coming, I never expected that!

Have you ever stopped to listen to your home?

Maybe you pause in the middle of dinner prep and suddenly the “simple sounds of life” grow loud in your ears: the fridge humming, your teen walking upstairs, the microwave whirring, the neighbor’s car door, a cheerful bird in the tree outside, the puppy scratching his bed to get comfy, your hubby opening the garage door…. Sounds of home.

Our hearts need little reminders of God’s love too.

What’s the best “yes” you’ve ever received?

Official approval on the house you're buying?
A job or promotion you really wanted?
That friend agreeing to go on an epic trip with you?
Acceptance into a special group or community?
An opportunity you dreamed of finally happening?

How did this last year affect your soul?

The passing of a year beckons us to pause and reflect. As we glance back, do we notice places God was up to something? What do we hope and pray for the new year ahead?

Maybe last year was a rough season and we sense Jesus calling us to rest. Maybe we anticipate change and know He’s asking us to step out in faith. Or maybe we're unclear on what lies ahead.

As the holidays grow busy, we can feel pulled in many directions. Events, family, gifts, gatherings, and traditions vie for our attention. One way to breathe calm into our souls during a hectic season is to look for simple moments with Jesus.

Simple moments are just that -- simple. They don't require much time or preparation. They can happen almost anywhere.

Growing up, we had a Thanksgiving tradition. After the turkey and stuffing, the green bean casserole, and the sweet potatoes with gooey marshmallows were set steaming on the table, we’d find our seats and join hands. Right before the prayer, my dad would ask each of us to share one thing we were thankful for.

In fact, my dad was good at carrying this gratitude tradition into the year too.  It might be a random Wednesday in February with the seven of us kids seated at the breakfast table, and dad would pause to ask each of us to share something we were thankful for that day. Usually, it was a quick and easy answer. "Friends." "Family." "New shoes." But if it happened to be a sleepy morning or your brother had stolen your bathroom time, you might not feel very thankful.