If you could select any location to visit today, would it be the endodontist’s office? It certainly wouldn’t be mine, but there I was a few weeks ago. I’d prayed for peace because complications with a back tooth’s root canal made the prior visit less than pleasant. Although I sensed God’s presence and knew I could trust Him, anxiety perched on my shoulder and accompanied me into the room. I reluctantly settled into the reclining leather chair which faced a huge window with a view of a grassy courtyard. I took deep breaths and once again asked God to…
Blog
How Can We Embrace God’s Love and Share It with Others?
A Valentine’s Day memory reminds me to embrace and share God’s gift of love. A Special Memory My favorite Valentine’s Day gift is the one my daughter gave to me when she was seven. While we were shopping, I spied a black sweater vest with embroidered hearts of various colors. I noticed it because we elementary teachers enjoyed wearing cheery shirts and sweaters on special days. After I tried on the vest, I checked the price tag and returned the garment to the rack. My daughter responded, “Mommy, why did you put it back? It looks beautiful on you.” “Honey,…
Plan Your Weeks with God
Are you a planner or a wisher? Eleanor Roosevelt said, “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” 1 I’m of the planner variety. I make lists beside my lists and, as my raised-on-the- farm husband says, “I grin like a mule eating briers” when I check off completed tasks. I enjoy the results for two reasons: There’s one less item on the to-do list. I see progress toward a goal. Some people prefer detailed planning systems. Others jot an informal to-do list for the next day or refer to a mental list as…
Three Ways to Meet God-Given Goals
The first time I heard the following quote by Zig Ziglar, it caused deep thought, although the concept is simple. “If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” We don’t take a trip—even to the grocery store—without considering our destination and the purpose for going. If we drove around in circles without a specific destination and purpose for our errand, we’d waste valuable time and fuel. (And we’d be hungry later.) During the first month of a new year, we often set new goals as we aim for success. Perhaps recently you’ve considered the process…
365 New Year’s Gifts for You
When we exchange the sweaters that don’t fit and donate duplicate items we received for Christmas, we still have more gifts to open. Yes, after the fireworks fizzle, we will awaken to God’s gift of a new year, a set of 365 days (Lord willing). Like a holiday jigsaw puzzle, the days will fit together nicely with the last piece inserted next New Year’s Eve. How shall we begin our conversation about the new year? (If you don’t mind, let’s postpone a discussion of New Year’s resolutions like losing weight and exercising, although they’re worthy goals.) Let’s begin with…