I have heard it said that the closest you will be to God on this side of heaven is in those moments when you hold a newborn baby. From personal experience I would have to agree. I mean is there anything sweeter to the soul than holding the fresh newness of an infant to your chest as he is snuggled against you in a deep slumber? Their very scent is enough to send your senses into a joyful somersault and peaceful bliss experience simultaneously. Yes little ones are heaven-sent for sure in my book. We have all witnessed a mother holding her sleeping baby or small child. Whether she is sitting or standing she has a tendency to both rock her child and sing or hum a soft melody while in the embrace. There is something very soothing that evolves between the gentle rhythmic motion and the ... View Post
Fallen Trees
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 We had quite a storm blow through our Chicago suburb about a week ago. After days of intense heat and no rain, the thought of a good downpour initially sounded rather welcoming. Little did we know just how much of a punch the storm would carry as winds of 80 plus mph were recorded during the peak of this storm. At the height of the storm, I watched through my balcony window as the sheets of horizontal rain beat down on our two large trees on the front lawn. Suddenly with little warning, our 20 plus foot Bradford Pear tree snapped like a toothpick at the base of the trunk. My family and I could not believe that our beautiful ten-year-old ornamental tree was cut down in a split second. The following morning ... View Post
Peace Plant
A few days from now will mark the 5th anniversary of my beloved daddy’s passing. He was a wonderful father and I was his little girl. That little girl part of me carried over into my teen years, through college and even into my adult years. There was really nothing I could not talk to my daddy about and I am truly thankful that God blessed me with a man that was not only a father but he knew how to be “daddy.” His passing in 2007 came 16 months after my mom went home to be with the Lord and needless to say it left a huge hole in my heart. Even though I greatly grieved the loss of my mother, I found comfort in knowing my daddy was still with me even though he was frail and ill as well. So when his time to leave us came, the finality of having both parents gone was very difficult for me ... View Post
Purpose in the struggle!
This story was edited on February 17, 2017. Please go to "The Butterfly Struggle" to read the revised post. ... View Post
Dare to BELIEVE again
Have you ever been in a place where you feel like God has forgotten you or even sees where you are at the moment? Of course you have. I have. If you are walking by faith then you have been in that "valley of isolation" at some point in your faith walk. The valley of isolation is deepened when we are enduring a tough time…sudden or chronic illness, broken relationships, lack of finances or loss of a loved one. Even in the midst of people around you who may try to help, at times the valley seems too deep and the journey out seems too long. Friends it is in those times that we must dig deep---dig very deep---to find faith again. To find faith again does not mean the problem is going to disappear immediately. To find faith again means simply that you know that you know in your “spiritual ... View Post
Driver’s seat
Do you ever wonder what it is that everyone is in such a hurry about? It seems that we are always racing to meet a deadline or check off that next thing on our long lists of “to dos.” And pulllleeeeezzzz do not let someone or something interfere with or get in the way of our plan! After all we have an agenda. We have places to go, people to see and things to get done. Believe me when I tell you that I am talking to myself as much as anyone else on this one! I received this “conversation” in an email not too long ago and it made me stop to think about just how much God protects me on a daily basis. He protects me and my loved ones even when we are not aware of danger. Take a minute to read the following “conversation.” I think it is worth pondering. Me: God, can I ask you a ... View Post