Do you sometimes abandon efficiency and choose the scenic route? I do. While running errands, I drive out of my way to visit my favorite fall site—a street in our town lined with gingko trees. When the temperature cools, the green fan-shaped gingko leaves transform into bright splashes of yellow. When the leaves fall, the sidewalk looks like sunshine pooled on the earth, and it makes me happy. Think about the color palette God chooses for fall decorating. Red maple leaves, orange pumpkins, golden chrysanthemums, brown chestnuts, and more. They’re all pretty, but gingko tree yellow is my favorite. Some…
Tag: encouragement
Help a Sister Out
What joy to welcome my guest blogger today. Wife, mom, and writer extraordinaire, Dawn Bata is a new friend. When you read her short post, you’ll want to click on the book photo link at the bottom to check out her ebook. Her bio is there as well. You may want to purchase the ebook or recommend it to a friend, relative, or neighbor who needs encouragement. I’m loving these short but powerful devotions with endearing stories. Here’s Dawn’s post: Help a Sister Out When our middle daughter, Sophia, was eight years old, she ran her first season of…
Stir Encouragement into Fellowship
Butterflies danced the rumba in my stomach. What will they think? This may be embarrassing. Do I even belong here? Have thoughts like mine ever pestered you? Two years ago, my friend, Robin Dance and I started a local chapter of Word Weavers International, a Christ-centered writing critique group. At the first meeting, I was excited until it was my turn. As per Word Weavers guidelines, after someone read my words aloud, the group critiqued my writing. Old patterns of people-pleasing surfaced as I wondered what the responses would be. Although I sat among kind women, I felt vulnerable instead…
Fresh New Mornings
Ah! The freshness of a brand new day. The smells of spring and the sound of bird choruses are as bright and new as the dew glistening on the grass. Patterns of sunlight stream through the trees creating patterns on the ground. Yesterday is a memory; tomorrow is yet to come. But today is just beginning. God creates a new day each time the sun brightens the eastern skies. Would you agree that our focus when we awaken can influence the way we walk through the day? Would our morning sighs turn into deep breaths of gratitude if we viewed…
God Is Speaking Encouragement. Are You Listening?
When our daughter was three years old, she would take my chin in her little dimpled hand and turn my face toward hers before she made a request. She wanted to ensure she had my undivided attention when she asked for cookies or described something she saw outside. Do you have that same desire in conversation? How do you feel when you’re talking, and the other person is obviously distracted? I’m sure you’ll agree that focusing on the speaker enhances comprehension. What about listening to God? We don’t have to get His attention, but does He have ours—our undivided attention?…