Recently, I had friends and family over for Sunday dinner. Adults were seated around the dining room table laughing, joking and eating good food.  Children were running through the house, some playing cars and trucks, some playing soccer, some building towers with Legos. It was wild and wonderful. Some would call it chaos… but I call it connection!

When someone chooses you, it attaches value to who you are as a person. Whether you are eight years old, eighteen years old or seventy-eight years old, a woman aches to know she is worthy to be chosen. Let me assure you, my friend, you are chosen.

Jesus pours out his love on both Mary and Martha, even as he does for us today. But we might wonder how he can be such a close friend to us—after all, we can’t meet him for coffee. How can Jesus be our friend like he was for Martha and Mary?

You and I were made to pursue God fully … to dream without limits … and to worship extravagantly!  Those daily choices are the building blocks of what it takes to live a glorious and historic life!

Life is about perspective and wearing the correct lenses as we respond to what is going on around us. We can all probably share a horrendous story of pain and/or trauma in our life but I believe one of the ways to “get through” those times is to remember the times when God kissed our cheek with one of His signs and wonders! 

This world is such a harsh place at times, isn’t it? That is why it is so important to keep a tender heart. Social Media is cruel … people’s expectations are exacting … and the news is tormenting. Oh! How I long to keep a tender heart.

The enthusiastic rays of sunshine that creep into my windows and gently nudge me awake are the first gift of a new day. A fierce yet welcome sunshine defiantly foils the ability of the window shades to prevent its cheerful entrance. 

There will always be seasons in life that usher in rare change and vibrant beauty … but those artistic and resplendent seasons are not solely beautiful. These seasons also come with challenges and disappointments and noise.

This is the single week of the year in which we celebrate the calling and the cause of motherhood. We salute all types of moms this week … biological moms, adoptive moms, foster moms, grandmoms and empty nest moms.

You have an enemy, and he would like nothing more than to eliminate you. If you’re going to win this battle, you need to know your enemy, but more importantly, you need to know his strategies.

You know … when we all get to heaven … we will be invited to join in perpetual worship. We will rejoice and sing praises for thousands upon thousands of years. But we won’t be able to lead anyone to Jesus.

You know … when we all get to heaven …we will be able to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to His Words … His wisdom … and His power. But we won’t be able to lead anyone to Jesus.

You know … when we all get to heaven … we will be able to talk to God … and look into His glorious face. But we won’t be able to lead anyone to Jesus.

Does this not just make your heart stop with eternal pain? 

Significant events change who we are, and what we’re called. What we call ourselves generally directs how we spend our energy. For example, as a wife, a mom, a homeowner, and retired … I tend to spend my time and energy nourishing these areas of my life. Likewise, being victorious, free and secure in my eternity … they, too, direct my energy. On a day-to-day basis, in the crazy and often chaotic life on planet earth, they give me a sense of peace. And hope. 

In late winter, I love browsing the floral department in my grocery store. There are the usual assortments of cacti, cut flowers flown in from the south, and stunning forced-bloom forsythias. The forsythias are noble—long, leggy branches with yellow buds exploding through a thin skin of bark. Eye-catching. Almost prideful. 

A lightbulb went on for me when I realized that if my thoughts got me into a depression, then it could be my thoughts that could get me out. In other words, God helped me to think my way out of the darkness, and He can do the same for you!

We all encounter an unending March on our journey to spring, don’t we? We all must face a time of waiting with no visible signs of encouragement.  We all choose how to deal with the March grayness of life. I believe that underneath every discouraging, dull March moment is hidden an indescribable glory reserved for those who choose to wait well.