Mentoring in Action

I knew the Sunday morning worship service would be special. It was Youth Sunday, which means the Youth Band would be playing. They hadn't played since the changes took place - primarily, the school year changing - which lead to additions and subtractions to the previous group.

But the worship leader was wise, knowing that the new Youth Band was young and inexperience. He paired the young musicians with members of the adult band.

Over and over, during rehearsal, I got to witness the adults mentoring the kids. It touched my heart in a way that I didn't expect.

I am grateful for the mentors that God has sent my way. I am grateful for their perspective and their encouragement.... and even a pair of steel toed shoes.

I am grateful for their ability to change and shape my life - to point me in the direction of Him, whether they did so directly or not.

I am grateful to have been able to see it in action Sunday morning. It was a great gift.

Thank You, God!

What we get used to....

I was amazed when I woke up for work Saturday morning.... exhausted. Typically 11p-4:30a was pretty routine. And then I experienced a few weeks of earlier bedtimes.... and a full night sleep. I felt good! Whoa... this tired thing, feels awful....

Same thing with food. When I am eating healthy, I feel good. I never connected the fast food or sugary treats (or hidden sugars in "healthy" foods!) to my exhaustion, headache, and general grumpiness. (Add tired and it's NOT pretty!)

Same thing with soda. I have had periods of time where I could drink liters of Diet Coke a day. Then, I've had periods when I've completely abstained (I'm there now!) In the midst of that, I experienced the "I feel awful!" 's that followed not long after ingesting one.

Same with exercise. When I'm regularly participating, I want to regularly participate. When I begin to skip - usually because I'm too tired or feel awful - I begin to make a habit of skipping, thus perpetuating the cycle.

Same with my relationships. I have been so stuck in what is that I don't realize until they change dramatically, or end, how they could have been better all along. Conversely, I realize how much I have missed a person's presence in my life when we reconnect.

May I live intentionally. May I set my feet where You lead, for You choose wisely!

We Have to Blog Now....

I have been enjoying the company of an old High School friend this weekend....

We've laughed, thumbed through the yearbook and shared pictures of our children. We've stayed up way too late...

... especially tonight, with school resuming in the morning.

So for now, I will leave you with a sense of the joy that has been this weekend....

It's been a gift! Thank You, God!

It's TODAY!

The day has FINALLY arrived. I have been waiting - somewhat patiently - for it to arrive. We've shared the countdown of days through texts and Facebook and FINALLY, it's here!

One of my friends from high school arrives this morning! We have been in touch off and on through the decades since we graduated. But, no matter where we leave off, or how much time has passed, we always manage to pick up right where we paused and move on!

We talked and dreamed about her coming to visit - and then Southwest Airlines had a sale (thank You, God!).

So, here is to friendship and truth; memories and forgiveness; late nights and southern spring days filled with conversation, laughter!

(can I go to the airport yet?)

Circle of Women

I am very, very fortunate! I have a wonderful Circle of Women in my life. Several, actually - many that overlap and intersect.

Some are more formally structured, and some have evolved spontaneously. Some are casual and laid back, and others are more in my face, truth speaking. Both enrich my life and support me in my walk.

I had the pleasure of spending lunch with a pair of ladies that I have known for years, but don't usually get to "hang out" with.

As we were eating and talking, I realized that through the years, we had each had an opportunity to lean on the others. We had borrowed strength and joy and hope, each in turn. We'd asked for truth and guidance and received it lovingly.

For me, it was the time of my separation and divorce. They reminded me to breathe and assured me that I would be "just fine!" during the times when I doubted. They reminded me that I am not alone, hugged me and prayed for me.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to do the same for each of them through the years.

As I write, I am reminded of the strength of a cord with three strands and the stability found in a three legged stool. I realize that these teachings usually refer to God as the Third Strand... but I have no doubt that He is with us as well - collectively, individually.

With every bit of my being, I know He is there...

Thank You God, for these women in my life....

The Illusion of Control

I spent some time talking with a friend - catching up on the goings on in our lives. It's a "Letting Go" moment for her, and she expressed some fear. I mirrored her statement with a reply indicating that her fear wasn't really about what she had named..... it was about giving up control.

I flashed back to all the times my dear friend Karen had said "You don't have to control it" or "Stop trying to control it." or simply "Let go." Over and over and over she had to remind me. If she were still alive, she'd STILL need to remind me.

Oh yeah - I still have my "plan", my agenda. And, I still get a little ticked off when God doesn't fall in line with that.

The irony of the whole mess: control is an illusion. I can truly control very little. My attitude is one thing - where I focus my attention is another. That may be about it.

I can't control other people. I can't control places, events, things....

So... why do I try? Somewhere between wishful thinking and stubborn pride, the answer lies.

But, even that is the wrong answer. That answer is my attempt to fix yet another problem that is out of my control. I'm always sure if I can UNDERSTAND it, I can control it.... or at least modify it more toward my liking.

The real answer is a paradox - one of my favorites: "We Surrender to win". As I surrender and follow along with God's plan - rather than heading out on my own - I find peace. I find hope. In the midst of God's plan there is peace and joy and hope and love. There is completeness. There may be pain and struggle as well, but usually, that is Him trying to get me to remove my hands from something I'm desperately trying to cling to.

It may seem like we're running straight toward a valley, when the more rational solution would seem to be taking the path that leads to the bridge. So like me to want to find the short-cut between mountain top experiences. But so true that it's in the valley that we grow and grow-in-Him.

I don't understand it. I can't control it.

But, if God's in the midst of it, I wanna be there too... even if it means letting go.....

Who I am and What I do

I've been thinking a lot about that lately - who I am and what I do.

It all started when someone recently told me, "You're a writer. You write! It's what writers do." And that got me thinking....

Uhm, yeah, I guess I do.

I had the same reaction last year when someone called me a "Prayer Warrior". In her eyes, I guess I am, but it's not a title I bestow upon myself.

Over the years, I've looked long and hard at what I do, and worked hard to define myself apart from that. Back then, I was "a nurse". And that was about as far as I could go with it. These days, yes, I am still a nurse - but it is what I do. It's my job - well, one of them! It's not "who I am".

When I want to know about a person - I look and I listen. I observe what they do and what they say.... and how those two line up. That tells me a lot. It may say nothing about what they do - professionally - but it definitely shows me who they are.

I try to remember that when I'm out in the world. Who I am is portrayed by what I do. People notice. And sometimes... they notice things that I don't...

And those that love me,... they show me.

It's What We Do....

My quest to find some missing papers and the conversation that ensued brought it home. Over and over, as I thanked her for praying for me, and reminding me that there IS a solution that I don't see right now, she said "It's what we do...."

Yes, it is. We stand beside one another. We listen to each other. We love each other. We bear one another's burdens. I love that.

I cannot begin to put words to HOW MUCH I love that.

It has made all the difference to me in my life... especially as a single mother. My village. My prayer group. My church. We stand beside one another. We listen to each other. We love each other. We bear another's burdens.

"Can someone give me a ride to our meeting in the morning?" YES! absolutely!

"Can you bring my kid here.... there?" YES! absolutely!

"I need to talk..." YES! absolutely!

It's what we do..... Thank God!

I need that....



Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Family Time and Perspective

I am so grateful for my friends who help me keep things in perspective.

I was being impatient. We were an hour behind schedule, and we were walking the dog. I have been trying to instill the rule about "fulfilling our responsibilities before we have our fun" Which meant, we had to walk the dog.

For me, it's sort of a reminiscent thing - after supper (or early in the morning) we'd walk around the block (or to the local coffee shop). My dad and the kids. We learned about "happy telephone poles" (the ones that hummed from the electrical transformers at their tops), and whatever bird was calling at the time.

Apparently, to my kids, it's torture. They often lessen the pain by riding bikes or scooters. But this day, my daughter had chosen to walk (with a Popsicle, since it was "SOOOOO hot"). My son had chosen to ride his bike - sort of. He expected me to push him up the hills...his legs hurt... "growing pains".

About a third of the way through the mile and a half circle, I was about out of my mind in frustration. It was taking FOREVER. It was like being in stop and go traffic - with no traffic. About the hundredth time my son stopped peddling to ask me, "Mom, do you want me to tell you about.....?" I wanted to scream "NOOOOOOO!!!" It was a rhetoric question. He'd press on describing the different "bosses" and "masks" and "swords" in his new love of a video game. He'd also start peddling again, so whatever words were coming out were lost ahead of me.

Just before I was sure *I* was going to burst out in a meltdown, I texted a friend: "Please remind me that "walking the dog as a family" has to do with "family", even if it takes 30x's as long...."

"Yes!", she replied, "use the time to connect with Jesus and pray for the neighbors". It was a good plan - albeit, one difficult to initiate due to the constant interruptions. BUT, it got my head back in the right place.

I started brainstorming with my girl-child how we could water the garden AND her legs with the hose when we got home. When the cool breeze blew up behind us, I prayed aloud, thanking God for the coolness and the encouragement of pushing us forward on our journey.

I have been blessed with many wonderful friends - face to face and online. Each has a purpose in my life. All are heaven-sent. I am honored to know them.

Thank You, God, for those You have sent into my life!

It's Nice to be Loved

I woke up on Palm Sunday, remembering that I'd forgotten to fill the crock pot with soup mix-ins. We were having a lunch meeting following our church service. I jumped out of bed and ran into the kitchen.

My eyes were still bleary and I hadn't put in my contacts, but as I passed the kitchen window, something caught my eye. At first, all I saw were the bits of white scattered throughout my yard. "oh MAN!" I said, wondering what dog had gotten into whose trash. And then I squinted, and... I recognized the fox.

I put in my contacts, and the "bits of white" turned out to be Styrofoam plates with Easter greetings on them. And there in the middle of my front yard, staring back at me through the window, was the fox.

He's really just an ordinary piece of yard art - perhaps not even that, as he was left by a previous home owner at a house one of my friends bought. When one of our mutual friends saw it for the first time (and second, and I think third as well), she (sarcastically) said "NICE fox..."

Well.... a few weeks ago, when the sarcastic friend was in Florida, the fox switched neighborhoods. Upon her arrival back in TN, there was Mr. Fox - in her "weed bed", as she likes to call it.

This past weekend, the middle and high school youth had a "Discipleship Now" weekend - the boys and the girls, separately studying scriptural aspects of relationships and the benefits of "waiting" (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, know-what-I-mean, know-what-I-mean...).

And, as tradition would have it, they find a little midnight mischief. I was blessed with the plates, some candy filled eggs and The Fox - AND, a few flowers and mulch for my "Friendship Garden" (YES!)

I smiled to myself, and realized how grateful I am to have such a wonderful church family.... mischief and all.

Consider the Flowers of the Field...

I spent the afternoon with some friends today. Taking pictures. The daffodils had passed, but the turnips (yes, turnips!) were in full bloom.

My friend had noticed the fields previously, and we were blessed with a beautiful spring day in which to "play". The scenery was beautiful, and I enjoyed the opportunity to experiment with my camera a little bit.

But, it wasn't until I got home, uploaded the pictures, and watched the slide show, that I truly appreciated it! Yes, it was fun while I was doing it, but wow.... Just wow!

In the still pictures, I get to see the full expression of experiencing the world of God's creation through the eyes of a three and five year old. I get to witness the joy and wonder as they examine the individual flowers. And I get to observe the interaction between a mother and her two children as they pick flowers, run hand in hand, and simply enjoy each others company.

As I uploaded this picture of the princess, surrounded by a sea of yellow, I am reminded of God. I recall a verse about the flowers of the field, and how beautifully they are adorned. This sight today, was no less than spectacular.

And, though I am more likely to dress myself in a pair of jeans, I wonder if I will dress for the occasion when I meet the King face to face. I am blessed to be surrounded by His glory - today in the field and when my time on the earth is done.

Irony....

I am so amused.... at the time, I could barely contain myself. My poor friend. God love her!

I woke up with a strong desire to spend the day cleaning my house. Trust me when I say, that is not a common occurrence, so I grab it and run when it hits me. It wasn't one of those "overwhelmed with the chaos" feelings; it was an inspiration to clear out the stuff that we don't use and sift through the stacks of paper that have taken over my desk. I WANTED to clean....joyfully!

The kids had friends coming over for the day, so housework was an ideal project for me. I stuck in a load of laundry as prepared breakfast. Not too long after that, my phone rang. It was a friend of mine whose washing machine had died upon their return from their spring break vacation. She wanted to know if she could haul some of their laundry over and use mine. "SURE! bring the kids, the more the merrier!"

So, she did. The kids played, I sorted through stacks of paper, and then she and I did a couple of the "two adult" jobs I have here. Suffice it to say that it takes two adults and an extension ladder (used as a bridge!) to change a light bulb at my house!

Long story short, as she pulled her last load of clothes out of the washer, they were damp - REALLY damp. We had just returned from taking the kids and the dog on a walk around the block, or we probably would have heard the "CLACK-CLACK-CLACK-CLACK-CLACK" that happened during the spin cycle... without the spin, of course.

"NO WAY!" she said. "What?" "I just broke YOUR washing machine". That's when I lost it. I laughed and I laughed and I laughed. "It's not funny....", she said. Oh... but it is.

It's not like the thing is new... I mean after 15 years of use, it's pretty much been living on borrowed time. I knew I'd replace it one day. As I told her, if it hadn't been her load of clothes, it would have been mine... and honestly, being able to laugh at the irony of the situation, kept me from feeling the frustration that would have hit me if *I* had broken it!

I belly-laughed from time to time, long after she and her kids had returned home.

Thank you God for the gift of laughter.... and the twists and turns that irony brings that keeps life from being just straight out boring.

The Gift of Laughter

It was the end of a busy (and somewhat frustrating) week - and the end of a busy day. One of my friends had invited me to join her at an "ASL coffeehouse". Translation: a bunch of deaf, hard of hearing and hearing-people-who-sign were going to meet at Panera Bread for dinner and conversation.

OH MY GOSH... What a blast! I had the most fun! Good food. Good friends. I haven't laughed so much in a long, long time. I so needed that! (On "the list", laughter stays!)

Laughter is so good for the body and the soul. It shakes up all my tightness and tension, lets the "feel good" chemicals flow, and decreases "stress" hormones. And, since Wikipedia says that "Greek researchers have found through an experiment that 10–15 minutes of laughing burn from 10 to 40 calories, which leads to a weight loss of almost 4.5 lb (2 kg) per year", I'm pretty sure I came close to burning off the cookie I ate while I was there!

The other thing that was good for me - it got me out into the deaf community. More practice with my receptive skills and an opportunity to raise my hands to communicate.

But, mostly... good friends... and much laughter!

Yea God!


Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

The Friendship Garden

I was wandering through the yard, on one of the wonderfully warm early spring days we've had lately. I checked on the sprouting spinach, the hosta, the rose of sharon. Finally, I arrived at the clematis.

I'd learned after she died, that clematis was one of my friend Karen's favorite flowers. It was one of the first flowers I planted in my new yard, that hadn't moved with me from my previous house. I have been moving bits and pieces of previous gardens with me for decades now. From the womb-house to the married-house, from the married-house to this house. Many of the plants that move with me originated at my mother's house (where I grew up), or her mother - my grandmother-'s house.

I brought with me hosta, and irises, and unusually colored violets. Daffodils, from the womb-house, and off-shoots of a bridal wreath spirea - a wedding gift from a dear friend who now lives in Oregon. My friend just a little west of here gave me some cute little "bee balm" - which, in the full sun of my yard, are much taller than those in her shaded lot. Tall or short, the hummingbirds love them, and they remind me of her.

I love to walk through the yard and remember where the plants have been, and to whom they have attributed meaning. My younger sister loves irises - at least she did - and they remind me now of her. My daughter has claimed the newly planted peonies as her favorite. Up until recently, I'd have said "daisies" for me, but having seen the smiling faces of the (mammoth) sunflower as they dance in the breeze, I'd have to vote differently now.

But standing, looking at the sprouting leaves and the flower buds already bursting forth on the clematis trellis, I had an idea.... I will plant a Friendship Garden. To the best of my ability - those who share their favorite flowers will be represented. It will take time, but with any project of the heart - seen to completion - it will be beautiful!


(feel free to add your favorites in the comments!) Those pictured about are the little bee balm...

The Love of Friends and Neighbors

We'd been in our house about six months. Finding it had been a gift from God - so had the process of purchasing it. We had met the neighbors briefly, and realized a few of our friends from the Y lived in the same neighborhood (Later that fall, we'd realize that six of the students in Jacob's kindergarten class live within our subdivision).

It has been a great blessing living in community. Our previous house was hidden down a hillside. It was perfectly, wonderfully private... but kind of lonely. No one ever bothered us - but no one ever waved as they drove past either - they couldn't drive past. It was at a dead end. Not so here. The neighborhood is very much alive! Friends and neighbors wave and beep as they pass our house, and wave and laugh (and tease me!) as I walk the dog.

It was late spring or early summer. I pulled into our driveway briefly to change clothes and gather a few things before heading to a yoga class. It had been a long day, moving into a busy, but relaxing evening. As I stared into the back yard, there was a nagging voice of awareness: "SOMETHING is DIFFERENT...." I stared for what seemed to be forever, my brain scanning through every detail I knew about the house and the yard. Suddenly, I knew. "Someone mowed my grass..." I was stunned. Pleased - very pleased - I was preparing to push-mow nearly an acre the next day. There were no traces, yet I knew who had blessed me with that generous act of kindness.

I walked next door and thanked my neighbors....repeatedly! "It's hard enough raising children," she said, "don't worry about your grass..." That was three years ago. In all that time, I have mowed the entirety of my yard once. One more example of why I feel "blessed beyond my wildest imaginings".

Thank You God, for friends and for neighbors...

Message Ministry?

It's interesting how things develop.... especially when * I * don't do it... intentionally, anyways...

I didn't realize what WAS happening until the other day when I was discussing feeling like I was 'dodging arrows' with a friend of mine.

"Of course you are!" she said, "your friend was meant to feel like she was all alone, and you ruined that plan when you came up beside her and loved her". And when I thought about it. I had.

It started about a week ago - my friend was having a really hard day. I sent her a text message letting her know that I was thinking of her, praying for her, and that she was loved. And then, the next day..., I did the same thing. And the next.... Every day, as I sat and lifted her up in prayer, I sent her a text. In a nutshell - "I'm here. I love you. I'm not going away."

A few days later, another friend of mine left for a mission trip in Panama City Beach, Florida. It's called Beach Reach. Sounds like a dream, huh? A week of witnessing in sunny Florida. But, uhm, not so much... apparently, the college kids there for much spring break partying, aren't so interested in hearing what they have to say. It's been described as "dark" and "really hard". So... I texted her. Just to let her know I was thinking about her and praying for her. You are not alone in this. I am with you (in spirit). I love you.

Then, another friend... sick. I've sent her messages day to day, let her know I'm thinking of her and hoping she's feeling better. (yes, she is.)

And, you KNOW there was yet another - "Hold tight to God..." I sent.

It's taken just a minute of my time, but, it's been time well-spent. I truly believe in the power of words. I believe in the power of reaching out past our selves. I believe in telling those that I love that I do, and I believe in expressing gratitude. As often as I can.

"Thank you" and "I love you". Five little words. In the texting world, a total of nine and ten characters respectively. But they are a powerful combination of letters! I do believe they contain great healing.

"I'm here"
"You're not alone"
"I love you"
"I appreciate you"
"I'm glad you're my friend" (or "my boy" or "my girl")
"You are special to me"
"Awesome!"

It only takes a second....


Take a second...

Floods and Tornadoes

This certainly has been an interesting week. I've been dreaming of floods and tornadoes, as I witness friends near and far entering and enduring struggles of various degrees. Some are beginning, some in the midst and others reaching the end of their processing with one.....last.....piece....of....work. "Now I'm free, Now I'm free!" (Lyrics from Sunday's worship, of course!)

As I interpreted the music Sunday morning, I found myself praying along with the words. As I signed "Savior, He can move a mountain..." I thought "You can move a mountain, please comfort my friend". As I signed the words to "I surrender all", I thought of myself and my on-again off-again (mostly on-again!) struggle to let go of the "control" I think I have in my life...(In my moments of clarity, I know that there is very, very little I truly control) Song after song brought person after person to mind.

Of all the songs, though, "I surrender all" was what I most needed. I can control none of it. None of it is even "my stuff". ("My stuff" is settling down! YES!!) But, it doesn't make it any easier to witness. Not that I would ever DREAM of turning away from it. No way! (God is at work!) I've been told that to witness a struggle is a gift: It makes me "uniquely qualified to speak the truth" of what I see. I'll try to remember that. Reframe it. A gift. Feels like.....a gift? (not yet)

I know with time, I'll have gratitude about it again. Feel honored to be a part of it all. But, today, I'm grieving... and holding tight to my faith that God is bigger than ALL of this.

Today, I ask.... pray for me, as I walk the line between loving my friends and giving them the space they need to process... and pray for them. God knows the details... He knows their hearts, and their needs. He knows the plans He has for them... plans to prosper and not harm them, plans to give them hope and a future... And I have faith, that whether they know it or not, He is right there, closer than can be imagined.... "stalking" them until they hear, they turn, and their hearts overflow with joy.

Thank You, God... for knowing and loving my friends..... and me.

Serious.Life Magazine...

I am totally amazed at the way things work out sometimes. I never intended to write a blog. As of several months ago, I had never READ a blog... but, then, in August, everything changed. I started writing...and reading. It has totally blessed my life....from both perspectives.

I never expected to develop friendships through my blog. Some of these are the very honest, "pull your covers", friendships that are truly precious in my life. They are the ones that challenge me to grow, to live honestly and continue to seek. These people are not afraid to ask the difficult questions, to confront my thinking when it is skewed, to call it like they see it - to hold up mirrors in my direction.

I also never expected to have people that would read it consistently. People tell me they start their day reading the thoughts I share regarding my relationship with God. That's hard for me to fathom on many levels: First that they'd do it, and second that I'D do it. "I'm not that bold in my faith", I though... I don't talk about my relationship with God.... or I didn't...

From the blog reading perspective, I have been blessed with the stories and snippets of people's journeys that they have been willing to share. I have seen demonstrations of living by faith, of praising God in the midst of a storm. I have read of joys, sorrows, and absolute honesty. I have seen growth in the short time I have been following along. I have received strength and hope and insight through their words and pictures.

In reading about Abby, I learned that her parents own and publish a publication called Serious.Life Magazine. They just published the February issue today, and I am in their Featured Blog Directory. I really enjoyed reading through their last issue. I look forward to this one as well.

The magazine includes a lot of great content from bloggers you’ll appreciate, as well as great features, photos and other content. The Riggs family have seven kids, three adopted and one, Abby, who has Leukemia (www.riggsfamilyblog.com). The magazine gives away a bunch of ads to charities and ministries. Besides great articles on interesting people, there is a lot about family, adoption, personal finance, spiritual life, humor… all sorts of “life” topics. (and I LOVED the "bulletin bloopers" in the January issue! Oh, I laughed so hard....)

The subscription is free, so take a minute to check it out and sign up to get future issues.

Reading and writing.... I never know where I am going to end up...

Lead on... I'll follow.

Tagged .... The Hawk.

I don't usually play the "tagging" games. (well, here... I do a few on Facebook...) But I did get "tagged" by my friend, Katie.... and I did recently have a question posed to a group I was in that sort of fit as well... "Do you take time to play with your friends and your toys?" Uhm... no, not much.

So, I figured I'd bite... I'd look in the fourth folder for the fourth picture... perhaps it would provide inspiration for a topic. And who showed up.... the hawk.

This hawk is one of three that visit me from time to time. I was first aware of hawks in the neighborhood when I was on a walk. I was deep in thought - talking with God about something. I heard some squawking. Then I saw a hawk low-flying across the street. I followed the flight path to the nest where the other adult was stationed. The noise quieted until the adult left. I stood and watched for a long time. I'd never witnessed a hawk feeding its young before.

The next time I saw the hawks, I had pulled into my driveway after dropping the kids off at school. I remember being deep in thought - preparing to meet a new friend for lunch. I looked up and stopped in my tracks. My breathing stilled as I watched in amazement. This beautiful creature. In my backyard. wow.

They have joined me on walks, and called to me as I sit on my porch, or dig in my garden. From time to time, they show up and perch in my yard. Most recently, it was just outside my bedroom window, perching on the chain link fence about 10 feet from the window. We stared at each other for a long, long time...

They always tend to show up, and make me pause. Whatever is going on stops, and I am awed by the beauty of this creature God has designed.... and grateful to be a part of His world.

(oh, and quickly, the rules: post the 4th picture in the 4th folder on your computer. Tell about it - then tag four other people)

My tags: Braden, JoAnn, Brea and Kerry.


Thank You God for my friends.... and some fun.

You Will Be Safe....

I spent some time recently with an friend, discussing the ins and outs of personal growth. The process - the PAIN of the process. The fear that accompanies it. The physical, mental and emotional exhaustion - and then the clarity and peace - that follows. We both know that the only way through it, is through it. We long for the light at the end of the darkness, and we trust the process - and God's presence in the MIDST of it...even if He may seem very far away at the time.

What was interesting to me throughout our conversation, was the radio. As the topic would take on a particular focus, there would be song playing that addressed it. The topic would shift a little, and so would the song. It was a very real reminder to me that YES! God is present in the midst of it all. Standing right beside us -surrounding us actually- and our discussion.

I am grateful for friends like these. This day, it was her journey we were discussing. Another day, it will be mine. It is an honor to stand beside someone in the midst of their pain. I can't "fix" it for her, I know - just as no one can walk through my process but me. But I do know how it has been for me to have someone standing beside me as I do.

As I was reflecting on some of the things we said - since there always seem to be tidbits for me as well - this song came on:

Clouds will rage in
Storms will race in
But you will be safe in my arms
Rains will pour down
Waves will crash around
But you will be safe in my arms

I just smiled and smiled, closed my eyes and said "Thank You, God". Clouds WILL rage in, and storms WILL race in. Rains WILL pour down, and waves WILL crash around. And in the middle of all of that, I may feel like I am drowning, and I'll never make it. But I truly do believe...

I WILL be safe in His arms.

So will you, my friend....