Three Steps To Find More Determination Cinderella’s slippers, they’re definitely not. But who doesn’t need a little magic to tackle difficulties when you want to run the other way? My morning magic comes from some silly slippers that make me smile and fill me with a touch of joy. If I need to complete tasks I’ve been putting off at home, on go my special slippers. They provide a small reminder of where my focus should be. How? Sometimes they help me press forward when the job is complicated or has emotional triggers that threaten to drag me down. When…
Tangled Under The Butterflies
Have you ever been tangled up inside, worrying about something, only to realize you were about to miss a blessing? Recently I was worrying over a decidedly poor decision a friend had made while unloading our van after a freezer stock-up at a large chain grocery. I smashed the salad greens a little too tight and wondered what my role should be. I lifted large bags of frozen fruit and meat, hefting big thoughts alongside, like whether I should say something or remain quiet and pray. I looked up and the most magnificent, huge yellow and black butterfly was right overhead,…
Life-giving Hugs
Recently Bethany Hamilton, of Soul Surfer movie fame, shark attack survivor, and world-class among women surfers, visited Southern California. One of Bethany’s great sayings is, “I can hug more people with one arm, than I ever could with two.” There were many impressive speakers before she came on, but when hundreds of tween and teen girls surrounded the stage to sit at her feet, my insides just melted. What a humbling, huge embrace! “We are all beautifully flawed in God’s eyes; He can use our flaws,” she shared. Seeing all these beautiful girls, and some amputees that are part of…
Resilient Cookies
Resilient Cookies After surviving challenging situations, one of the best lessons we learned was to create new traditions. Our son Joey loves anything with pumpkin in it and one year after the fires, we started making pumpkin cookies. Now it’s an annual moment that brings everyone a smile. Especially our neighbors and friends since they are too good not to share. These simple cookies remind me that God’s grace is new every morning. When I get sad remembering our loss in the massive wildfires of this area, I just breathe, count my blessings, and turn directly toward the difficult memory…
Sprinklers and Charcoal
Yesterday as I was driving near our community, past the wasteland left from the recent Southern California wildfires, I saw a lovely sight. Crews working on the road medians had replaced the piping that must have melted during the fires and were testing the new sprinklers. Instead of being frustrated with water on my windshield, I had to smile. I’m still excited from ACFW and feel poised for new beginnings. I loved this visual reminder that life can spring with new hope from the wastelands of our experiences. When I took this picture today the air still smelled like charcoal…
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