“THANKSGIVING” The table of thanksgiving is set. For many it will be a table filled with laughter and reminiscing. For others, it will be a table for one. A barely perceptible voice whispers, “you are loved”. Prayers will be fervently shared through the lens of joy. Prayers will be uttered almost silently, spilling from a […]
Category Archives: God In Our Lives
11/21/19, a note to God: Hi God, Years continue to rush by in what seems like the blink of an eye. The last one flew by faster than the previous ten, and much more quickly than the twenty before that. The first thirty—well, they seemed to meander slowly; like a lazy river taking its time, enjoying the […]
For some people, “I’m sorry” spills out of their mouths as easily as saying, “hi”. They have a lifetime subscription to: • the “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than approval club” or • the “I can do whatever I want; then just say, ‘I’m sorry’ club” “I’m sorry” is said so often that it’s effortless. There’s […]
Disclosure: I am very sensitive, and I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve been told, “you’re too/so/overly sensitive”. I used to try to defend what was being said as a negative (and as an accusation as opposed to a compliment). Now, I simply say, “Yes, you’re right. I completely own that I’m very […]
• Do you ever feel like you’re firmly on solid ground— life is completely stable; everything’s under control; you’re easily putting one foot in front of the other? • Do you ever feel like you’re walking on an uneven path—sometimes you’re on stable ground, but other times you could make just one tiny misstep and fall? • […]
The guy in a designer suit strolled right past the man sitting on the frayed, and very dirty, piece of blanket on a street corner. It wasn’t as if he didn’t visually see him, it was just that he believed that man wasn’t worth truly seeing. After all, he must be a loser or a drunk […]
I know people who spend money purchasing beautiful art, creating memorable experiences and enjoying gastronomic feasts. Some use their income and energy creating homes that feed their souls. Others live frugally so that they can support causes that pull at their heartstrings. I see people, who have very little financially, give much of what they […]
I Second Thoughts How many times have you said something like: “on second thought, I shouldn’t have hit ‘send’, on second thought, I’ll have the asparagus instead of the broccoli, on second thought, going to that party is not a good idea, or on second thought, I don’t want to keep trying to be her […]
So, for the first time in my life, I locked my keys in my car (in the trunk to be exact). And, it was on a (very) hot summer day. My thoughts in order (yep, I actually wrote them down): “Wow, that was REALLY stupid!” “That’s what you get for rushing!” “Now, I’m going to […]
Dear Readers, This post is dedicated to all of you who have struggled through the loss of a loved one long before he or she left this earth. A MILLION GOODBYES he lies with the sleeping woman; her, curled up in a ball, fragile, innocent like a child; him, arms wrapped around her, not […]
What I usually see is simply a mirage—an illusory construct created by my imagining. It seems like the beginning and end of reality because that’s as far as my human brain usually takes me. But, what I assume are concrete boundaries are simply my own limitations. When I look closely, however, and choose to consider what’s beyond […]
It seems like we expend an awful lot of energy trying to “fit in”, which can mean a lot of different things depending on where you are right now. It changes significantly depending on who you’re with and is often fueled by the winds of just a few. I’m also aware that many of us […]
Seven years ago, I was encouraged by my dear friend, Betsy, to join a Habitat For Humanity, “Women Build” committee. Our group was brainstorming fund-raising ideas and Annie, a member of our team (and now a close friend), came up with the concept for “She Nailed It!”—an all women, relay nail-hammering competition, that not only […]
Have you ever felt overwhelmed, defeated or exhausted because, in spite of how hard you love, work or “put yourself out there” it doesn’t seem to be enough? Have you ever stood at the door of hopelessness, believing that if you take one more step you could “walk off the edge?” I’ve felt that way. […]
DESOLATION she tries to ignore it, but the desolation demands attention. it won’t let her wander outside its constrictive boundaries; to simply be. it taunts her, saying, “you’ve failed in so many ways”, “do you know how often you’ve screwed up?”, “listen to me tell you about your weaknesses, your shortcomings, your pain”, “let me […]
In 2013, I was sitting on the deck on a beautiful, Saturday morning in October. It was my quiet time with God and I heard the words “peaceful home”. Believing in divine inspiration I decided (in spite of my skepticism) to see if anyone owned the domain “peacefulhome.com”. Of course, someone did, so I just let […]
The house is quiet except for the dehumidifier running in the background. We had the rainiest summer since 2011 and the rainiest September on record, in 117 years. It reminds me a lot of Portland, Oregon, where I’d visit my daughter, Erin, who lived there for a while. My prayer list is really long right […]
The box is elegantly wrapped with two layers of perfectly tied ribbon. It’s shiny and beautiful and creates a hushed, “what do you think could be in that beautiful package?” Next to it, sits an obviously previously used, dented and taped at the corners box with a stick-on bow, slapped on the top. Have you ever been […]
Rain is pouring down as the Bride walks to the two-hundred-year-old church. Four men, wearing yellow rain jackets, carry a canopy over her (and the beautifully embellished wedding gown with an eight-foot train). Her sister—the Matron of Honor—and her parents are all squeezed under the canopy as well. Horns blow, and people wave, as well-wishers watch the […]
One early morning, with the ground soaked from the previous night’s downpour, I walked to the garden and started pulling weeds. As I worked, I realized the many similarities between removing undesirable plants from our gardens and removing non-plant “weeds”—people, situations, painful memories, and hurtful experiences—from our lives. Both kinds of weed removal require effort, […]
The garbage truck came rolling down the street around 6:40, as I sat with my tea and my book, at the end of my twenty minutes of quality time with God (something I am trying to be much better at starting every day with). I watched as two men jumped off. One turned the trash […]
Tears—big, fat tears; the kind that make some men uncomfortable, and many women sigh—rolled down his cheeks. He lay on a hospital bed, his life nearing the end, spending precious moments with his daughter who sat next to him—this daughter who wasn’t his and was always his. He was only in his sixties. He talked […]
Last week, I was helping a client—who has a special place in my heart—get into the rhythm of starting the day with “God Time”. The morning after our time together I sent a note with these reminders: make a cup of tea or coffee; don’t do any “chore like” tasks other than this one—the things […]
It was 3:47 am when I opened my eyes. I didn’t know the time at first; I just knew it had to be early because it was still dark. There was no sound except for the whir, whir, whir of the ceiling fan. I lay there for a few minutes, then got up to look […]
You’re a third-grade child and you decide that you’re going to save your “special”, “important” papers in a plain folder. You write your name on it and start carrying that folder around with you wherever you go. One day you’re walking down the street and a couple of pages blow out of The Folder. You […]
peace full home®—intentional living 