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Showing posts from May, 2025

Strength

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  Strength can look different from person to person. Sometimes it takes all of our energy to even be able to get out of bed. Life is not turning out how we expected, either by choices we have made or by another's actions that we cannot control. We feel like staying in bed and hiding from the things happening around us, but we know we have responsibilities, so we force ourselves to get up and get things done. Maybe we stick to ourselves for a little while because we have nothing left to give to anyone else. In other circumstances, it takes all of our energy to stop doing something we've been doing for years. My running friend, "J", has been dealing with an injury. She found herself having to reduce her mileage from at least six a day down to one mile, just a week before an upcoming, previously scheduled surgery that would most likely end her six and a half year running streak. She was hoping to be able to enjoy that week of running before she had to decide what was bes...

Honoring My Mother

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Guests may not have understood why my mom sang "Friends" by Michael W. Smith at my wedding reception. The chorus says, "And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them. And a friend will not say never, 'Cause the welcome will not end." It made perfect sense to me and brought me to tears as I listened to the words. I didn't have many friends in middle and high school. It was usually one close friend that seemed to change every two years or so, and they always had another friend that seemed to be their best friend. I spent a lot of time at home with family. It was my safe place where I could mostly be me. I was blessed with two strong Christian female role models. I saw my nanny and my mom, both divorcees, attend church regularly, practice a private devotional time as well and try to live by a Godly standard daily. Yes, I also saw their flaws which I was able to learn from as well. I admired my mom being able to admit when she didn't ma...

Caution! Danger Ahead

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My heart is so blessed and full today. This morning, in church, my son decided to get baptized, and my daughter was baptized three years ago on May 1st. As a parent, I have tried to protect the innocence of my children, but I quickly realized that they will be hurt and rejected. They will hear of and learn of the evils of this world. I have gotten to observe firsthand the growth they've experienced as life's hardships hit. At their ages, nineteen and twenty-two, they are much more spiritually mature than I was even into my thirties. I can't remember a time that I didn't believe there was a God. I had my doubts from time to time, though, as to whether the bible was completely true. I have questioned if God is really who the bible says he is; loving and good, but I have always believed there was something, someone greater than all of this. To hear their testimonies written out in their own words brought tears to my eyes. To know that I have been a part of that is humbling...