Life as Thank You 35
Dear DBC, In an effort to increase my love of kindness, I decided to write an old-school thank you note each week to say thank you and express my gratitude. Today, you spoke from Ruth at church. I share her name (it is in the middle). I share her story (except for the remarrying part…
“I Do” – Take 4?!
I am wrestling this week with a variety of emotions regarding Jim’s “family”. I did not anticipate the jumble of events after Jim died. How could I?! People whom I have called family for 30+ years continued to be involved in my life and the lives of my kids. We continued to celebrate holidays together.…
Life as Thank You 34
Dear Lisa, “Thank you” sometimes feels like it is not enough to let someone know how deep the gratitude is, but at the same time it is the best words I can think of to express my gratitude for you and your family. Our history adds a layer of depth that I cherish and I…
Ears to Hear Mark 10
This is one of those stories I have heard so many times that it is hard to read with fresh ears. The question: What must I do to inherit eternal life? This ruler does not seem to understand that one of the purposes of the Law is to help us see how broken we are.…
National Days
Today is one of my Favorites – National S’mores Day! Once, when we were on a camping trip with students, someone forgot to bring the graham crackers and all we had for the s’mores was double stuff Oreos. That was the beginning of a creative love affair with that snack! I don’t remember when I…
National Girlfriends Day
Today is National Girlfriend’s day… I am more that blessed to have the strong women who I call my friends! Martha, My sister, and my sisters in law, Tammie D., Laurie B, Judy and Angelique Julie – I have known you most of my life and nearly all my best memories growing up include you…
Life as Thank you 32
Michelene, You are one of my heroes. You raised the childhood best friends of both my children and that alone had a huge impact on our family. In between the birthdays of those 2 fabulous people (Sherrod last week and Abi this week) I thought I would tell you how thankful I am for you.…
Life as a Thank you 31
Today is National Aunts & Uncles Day. In honor of the people I call my aunts and uncles, I thought I would send a big shout out and thank you! This week is a bit different than a single thank you note as I share my gratitude for Aunt Janie, Aunt Kitty, Aunt Crystal, Aunt…
Christmas in July
Today is Christmas in July! It seems to have become another opportunity for sales and consumerism but I remember the significance it had on Jim nearly 40 years ago. We were not married yet, but we were dating. I was gone for the summer, working at Mt. Hermon. Jim was running day camps for Downey…
Eeyores
“It really does not matter”, Job said, “even if you kill me I will still trust in God”. Why do so many people seem to see the world through such a bleak lens? The attitude they carry is the negative victim mentality. They talk in extremes. They focus on the no’s rather than the yeses.…