Ann. I just love her. In just the few years I’ve know her, she has taught me much about gracious, grace-filled living. My friend Jill has the privilege of being a companion to Ann two days a week. But Jill is more than a companion…she is Ann’s friend. Last week Ann called Jill in a panic. “Jill, there are birds …
When You Feel You’ve Fallen Too Far
I wish you could sit with me for one day and read the emails that come to my inbox. Some rip my heart out. Such was the case with the one I’m going to share with you today. This dear sister has graciously granted me permission to share it. This blog is a bit long, but I really want you …
When You Feel You’ve Ceased to Matter
For over a decade we were joined at the hip. Not a day went by when we didn’t talk on the phone…at least once. But sometimes friendships come unhinged. People change. Perspectives change. Purposes change. Passions change. While nothing went terribly wrong, and no hurtful words were exchanged, the void was vast beyond bridging. I felt tossed away. Discarded. …
It’s Not How You Start. It’s How You Finish
I sat by her bed. Her hand swollen…full…unmoving. Feet that danced just a few weeks ago now stilled. Arms that lifted just a short time ago now limp. Words that spilled easily just a moment ago now haulted. How could life seep away so quickly, right before my eyes? Mom was ready. But I wasn’t. On July 29th , mom …
What To Do When Your Rooster Crows
I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of. The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before. Then I heard him. The rooster. ER-er-ER-er-ERRRR. I’m not …
Do You Feel Stuck?
That’s exactly the quandary I found myself stuck in several years ago. After I had gone to college for two years, I returned to my hometown to work as a dental hygienist. But the following spring, I felt a tug to return to college and continue my education. I prayed and looked into various programs, but couldn’t get clear …
Getting Out of God’s Way
He ironed. I watched. I stood in the door frame of my guest room, watching my nephew, Jonathan, iron the wrinkles out of his crumpled shirt – the rumpled creases out of his crumpled heart. He ironed and talked. I watched and listened. Jonathan, my twenty-seven-year-old nephew, stopped by for a visit on his way to a wedding in …
What To Do With a Broken Dream
I’ve been thinking about broken dreams lately. We’ve all got them. Just different ones. So what are you going to do with yours? [tweetherder]Could it be that God is waiting for you to give Him the broken pieces of your shattered dreams so that He can make a beautiful mosaic from them?[/tweetherder] Could it be that you are clinging …
S & H Greenback Store Redemption
(Beginning August 1, the content of my blog will be completely different from the Girlfriends in God devotions. So if you are not signed up for my blog at www.localhost/sjold, please do it today…and invite all your friends. We’re going to have more give-a-ways, more personal interaction, and more inspiration than ever before! Now, on to today’s post!) “Christ …
Get Real
(Beginning August 1, the content of my blog will be completely different from the Girlfriends in God devotions. So if you are not signed up for my blog at www.localhost/sjold, please do it today…and invite all your friends. We’re going to have more give-a-ways, more personal interaction, and more inspiration than ever before! Now, on to today’s story!) “Yet this …