Category: Miscellaneous

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #177

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was full of awesome surprises! On Sunday, we sat outside with neighbors to watch the ‘Fargo Airsho,’ featuring the US Air Force Thunderbirds. It was fun to see the jets doing tricks and circling around. We didn’t attend the show, but enjoyed it from a distance… and the comfort of our own homes!

Then, our neighbors gave us tickets to see ‘Freaky Friday’ at our local outdoor theater (pic). We went with a friend and had a great time. The show was so well done! Funny, great singing and acting, and great stage setup. The weather was also perfect.

On Monday, Lydia and I had an awesome day together. We ran many errands and accomplished everything on our to-do list (for once!). We bought school supplies, groceries, and went out for lunch. Then we bought some household goods, donated some gently used items, and got haircuts. It was great to spend time with Lydia and see what she likes and thinks about.

Lydia had an orthodontist appointment this week. It went well and she received a new (fourth) bracket. She received praise for how well things are going and enjoyed picking out new rubber bands. I never had braces, so this a new experience for me too. I’m so proud of how Lydia is handling the accompanying mouth pain. Thankfully, it is not too severe.

This weekend we are traveling! We drove to Duluth, MN, yesterday for a long weekend. We convinced a friend of ours to come with us for a fun road trip! We don’t necessarily have an agenda, more like a few key things we’d like to see. Here’s to a relaxing weekend with great weather as we explore the North Shore! It’s been on my bucket list for years!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Singing in the Rain

Usually, by this time in July, my grass is crispy and brown. But this summer, we’ve had more consistent rain. We’ve had some big thunderstorms lately, and the grass is still green!

One day last week, I woke up to a gentle rain pounding on the roof. It was still early enough that I could have slept more, but I kept listening to the rain instead.

As I thanked God for the new day, I heard a little bird singing in the rain!

What a cool surprise! Between the rain and my excitement about the little bird, I couldn’t sleep anymore. The bird caught my attention because it chose to sing instead of retreat.

The steadfast song really made my day. I don’t know if the bird expected the storm or if it caught him by surprise. But, I’m sure it thrilled God’s heart to hear him sing his heart out!

We have a similar choice to make.

When storms come, we can retreat into our comfort zone. Or, we can look beyond our difficulties and sing about God’s faithfulness and goodness.

Singing in the rain and stepping into uncertainty is not for the faint of heart. It takes a fair amount of grit to persevere. In fact, many of the beloved old hymns were written out of excruciating heartache. Despite all odds, these famous songs are filled with the truth of God’s loyal love.

For example, the author of “It Is Well with My Soul” suffered great loss including the death of five of his children. The song was his response to the painful tragedy. Powerful.

The author of “Amazing Grace” also recorded his thoughts and feelings of gratitude after God saved him from a life of sin and disgrace.

There is freedom when we see storms of life as opportunities to sing and shine for God. We release ourselves to God’s care and shift the burden back to Him, where it belongs. Then, He gets the glory for what happens next.

Peace comes when we realize we don’t have to figure out all the details. God already knows what to do. He is more than capable, and His mercies are new every morning.

God is worthy of our praise no matter what circumstances we’re facing. He is faithful and true. So come as you are… He longs to be with us, help us, and show us His loyal love.

Rest assured… it’s okay if you can barely carry a tune! All of us can still make a joyful noise. Let’s use whatever gifts we have and praise the Lord. 🙂

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Heavenly Father, thanks for your mercy and grace! We have so much to be thankful for, despite life’s challenges. Open our eyes so we can see all of Your goodness. We’ll give You all the glory and praise. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you a bird watcher? What can you praise God for today?

Tasks: Make a list of all you are grateful for, and start singing your praises! If you don’t know where to start, try Psalm 117.

 

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Finding Grace #176

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was a little calmer than last. Lydia still had swimming lessons, but we had fewer commitments otherwise. We were able to enjoy more time with friends as a result!

Early in the week, I finished some important paperwork. That freed me up to work on some projects later on. I made a lot of progress, in part because I really relied on God to help me be wise with my time!

On Thursday, Lydia and I enjoyed time together at Caribou Coffee. We had planned to do this for the last few weeks but finally got around to it. We bought bagels and fancy drinks. Lydia read some library books while I worked on my laptop. She had fun reading me trivia from one of her books. We ran into several people we knew as well!

Yesterday, my new treadmill finally arrived! It is really good to have one again, and I look forward to using it. This treadmill feels like an upgrade compared to my old one. It has several updated features my old one didn’t have. It seems more durable and doesn’t make excessive noise. I’m grateful!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Personality, Wisdom, Words

In Defense

“Maybe we should stop disliking people for what we have heard and be grateful God does not dislike us for what He knows.” –TobyMac

That quote reminds me of the impact of our words. Recently, someone was talking negatively about a friend of mine and put me in an awkward position. Yes, my friend certainly has faults, but I still enjoy their company.

I couldn’t discern if the person talking to me was jealous of my friend or actually had valid information. Either way, I heard an earful of unwanted gossip and was caught off guard.

While I tried to defend my friend, I don’t think I did an adequate job. Now that I’ve collected my thoughts, I’ll be sure to speak up next time. In the meanwhile, here’s what I should have said to the other person, but didn’t.

I don’t know about all that, but I really appreciate my friend! They have been good to me. They have selflessly helped me in countless ways over the years, often putting their own tasks on hold. I have learned so much from them, just as they have learned from me.

We have prayed for each other, and we have seen each other grow in Christ. Yes, perhaps they still have things to work on, but I’m grateful for how far they’ve come.

Furthermore, I want to see the good in people and hope they do the same for me. God knows I have faults too. But, because of Jesus, we have received mercy, grace, and forgiveness. We should extend the same toward others.

Similarly, let’s offer the benefit of the doubt. We weren’t there, so we don’t know the full story. Even if we were there, we wouldn’t necessarily know why things happened.

That doesn’t mean we ignore bad behavior, make excuses, or skip accountability. Yes, restitution is important, but there are many complex factors involved. It’s not always an easy, black-and-white answer.

Instead, when I sense an issue needs to be addressed, I ask my friend for their input and perspective. We don’t always agree, but we trust each other. We don’t make assumptions; we try to understand each other’s heart and intentions.

Remember, each person has God-given potential and a unique purpose. If we define someone by all their faults and failures, it’s likely they’ll never rise above them and fulfill God’s plan for their life.

They won’t come higher unless we raise our expectations of them. Let’s challenge them and encourage them along the way. Let’s agree with God and call out the good we see.

Let’s focus on everyone’s strengths, and cover their weaknesses with love. Let’s pray for people and mentor them, when possible. Not everyone is our responsibility to reach, but we can still set a godly example and point people to Jesus.

We need to be very careful not to ruin someone’s reputation with hearsay. So, let’s walk in a worthy manner and be wise in our interactions with everyone. We never know what they may glean from us… positive or negative influences that shape who they become.

We cannot change anyone, but we can extend grace toward everyone so they see Jesus and come to Him. Watching our words is difficult at times. But with Jesus, nothing is impossible.

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God, thanks for Your great mercy, forgiveness, and grace. Please help us continue to grow and get along with each other. Give us the unity of heart and purpose. Strengthen our relationships with each other so we can bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How do you deal with gossip? What else should I have said?

Tasks: Before you talk about someone, check your own heart. Memorize Ephesians 4:29, which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (NIV)

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Wisdom

Finding Grace #175

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was a little overwhelming… but still very good. You know it’s a busy week when you run into the grocery store for a few items before swimming lessons and notice bread is on the list three times in different places. 😉

This week and next, Lydia is taking swimming lessons in the late afternoon. Learning how to swim, is in my opinion, non-negotiable. It is a matter of life and death. Still, two weeks of lessons get kind of stressful. It’s two of the busiest weeks of our summer! But again, I am grateful for the opportunity for Lydia to take lessons!

On Thursday, a friend brought a homemade strawberry-rhubarb pie to our ladies small group Bible study. It was so yummy… a real treat with ice cream on top (pic). We all had so much fun talking and catching up. Then, my friend left a piece for the next day, too. Lydia and I each had a small portion for breakfast (no ice cream in the morning)! 🙂

This week was filled with important errands and paperwork and meetings. All good things, but each of those tasks was added to an already busy week. I reminded myself periodically to take breaks and have fun with Lydia. I can always catch up on housework and other tasks, but I can’t get more time with her or other important people in my life.

Today, Lydia and I went to the county fair with another family. We watched their oldest son play drums in a band. Then, looked at 4H projects and other judging events. We ate some fair food and walked around to scout out games and rides. It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun with our friends. I’m grateful!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Worship

Deluge

This week and next, Lydia is taking swimming lessons. I have enjoyed having time to catch up with a couple of mom friends while our kids are swimming.

We’ve been getting done with the lessons around 5:15 pm. We take the highway from the Minnesota side back to North Dakota. Traffic can be heavy at that time.

On the way home Monday, I saw an ambulance. I prayed right away for safety and healing for whoever needed the ambulance—and wisdom for all the medical professionals.

Then, the thought occurred to me that my friend, who was driving ahead of me, probably prayed too. Perhaps many people were praying for that one ambulance as it sped by.

Then, last night, as we drove home, it started storming. We made it to the car just before the rain hit. As we listened to the radio, a tornado warning was announced for a community about an hour away.

I prayed again, for God’s mercy, that the storm would subside. I’m sure others did too.

We made it home just before it started pouring…cats, dogs, buckets, you name it! A few minutes later, part of my yard and bike path were flooded.

Thankfully, the water quickly receded into the drain at the corner of my lot. And, my sump pump probably helped too. All of this makes me think how rich in mercy God is. He pours out a deluge, really!

Put simply, mercy is when we don’t get what we deserve.

As it rained on and off, I was reminded how we receive God’s mercy because Jesus took the punishment for sin (death) for us. He diverted the penalty away from us. Thank You, Lord!

A little while later, Lydia and I saw a faint rainbow after the storm had passed. What grace!

Put simply, grace is when we get what we don’t deserve.

Water can be life-giving and fun… or dangerous and unpredictable. Sometimes we can splash in the puddles and sometimes we need to take cover.

This life brings both calm and chaos, and we will certainly have some wild days. But God is constant. Sometimes He calms the storm, and other times, He calms us instead.

He God floods us with His tender, loving care. His showers us with mercy and grace.

He is quick to help and quick to come to our defense. He protects us even when we are unaware of the danger. He is mighty to save!

Last night, as the blue sky finally peeked through the clouds, I was reminded no matter what storms may come, God is always with us. His love knows no bounds.

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Father God, thanks for Your mercy and grace. How wonderful You are! May we always be reminded just how much You love us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you pray when you see an ambulance? Do you like thunderstorms or not?

Tasks: Listen to the song, “Alive,” by Big Daddy Weave.

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #174

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was a lot of fun. It was pretty normal as far as work and daycare go.

On Thursday, we celebrated the 4th of July. Lydia woke me up by marching down the hall with an American flag… on parade. She also made herself a red, white, and blue breakfast of toast, raspberries, blueberries, and a piece of Swiss cheese.

To celebrate Independence Day, a family from church came to set off fireworks. We had fun watching them all around the neighborhood. We also had a little campfire and s’mores! The weather was perfect and it was a fun, relaxing time!

On Friday, Lydia and I ran errands and did housework. I caught up with a dear friend on the phone, too. Then, we hung out with the neighbors and had another campfire! Needless to say, we’ve slept in the last couple of days!

Today, Lydia and I went fishing with some other friends (pic). We went south of Fargo and enjoyed fishing on the Red River. Lydia and I caught a few small(ish) catfish but opted to let our friends have them since they were kind to invite us. We were grateful just to have the experience, and hope we can go again sometime soon!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Worship

Sweet Celebrations

Here we are in July! This summer, I feel more relaxed yet more proactive than I have in the past. I am content to go with the flow, but I am also making plans and stretching myself more than normal. It feels good.

This feels like a season of celebrating for me. Each year that goes by, grief seems less strong. I don’t define my life by losses or challenges, but I am now grateful for them.

Right now, I am celebrating that Lydia is able to do more on her own. She can read to herself and is growing in independence. It’s a challenge at times to see her make mistakes, but she is growing and learning through it all. I’m so proud of her!

This summer, reading with Lydia is a joy. It has been so fun to see her interest in the stories. She can identify with the characters and is shocked when they go through their own trials. It is interesting how she is learning life lessons through fictional friends.

I’m really grateful for where we are right now. I know life constantly is changing, but God has us in a good spot. We are reaching out to those around us and have a lot going on, but we aren’t chaotically busy.

With the slightly slower pace, Lydia and I are enjoying good food, friends, being outside and being together. I’m loving fresh fruits and vegetables! She’s enjoying ice cream treats…

This summer, I’m learning a new level of trusting God. I always feel like I have a lot of personal responsibility as a single parent, and it is sometimes overwhelming. I’m being more intentional with my time, and there is freedom in not having to figure it all out.

I’m also celebrating sweet answers to prayer. Lately, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to see God come through for me in ways that I could have never predicted. Praise the Lord!

God always is working in our lives, but when we cooperate with Him, it goes much better! 😉 We do our part, and He does His. He is faithful.

This week, as we celebrate our freedom(s), take time to celebrate what God is doing around you. Praise Him for His goodness and faithfulness. Rest in His love, grace, and peace. He is so good!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for the freedom and protection we have in Christ Jesus. Thanks for all you are doing in our lives right now. Help us trust You for greater things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Do you have any 4th of July plans? How are you celebrating God’s grace in your life?

Tasks: ‘Let go and let God’ take care of all that concerns you. Imagine how freeing it will be when you see Him move on your behalf. Trust Him!

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #173

I love giving God a shout out for what He has done. We don’t do that nearly enough!

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?

This week was went really well. On Monday, I had the painter from last week come back to paint an accent wall downstairs. I really like how it turned out!

All throughout the week, I had great conversations with good friends. It is fun to see how many people God has put in my life from all walks of life. I’m so thankful for the encouragement, support, and wisdom they share!

On Thursday, my friends and I discussed our Bible reading plan on contentment. We had a good time catching up. Someone mentioned that contentment is when we turn our “what ifs” into “even if.” We give our worries to God and trust Him even if things turn out differently than we wanted. Wise words! We also had fun making indoor s’mores!

On Friday, I worked on a project while Lydia read some books and played outside with friends! Then a friend came over for pizza and catching up on a Netflix series we enjoy!

Today, Lydia and I went to Detroit Lakes, MN, with another family. It is about 45-60 minutes away, perfect for a fun day trip. We played mini golf and had a picnic. Then, we heard reports of severe weather at home. So, we came home early. The weather improved on the way back, so we hung out longer. Tonight, Lydia’s having an impromptu sleepover with the little girl (at our house). I’m thankful for God’s protection and summer adventures!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

On Being Content

This week I am doing another YouVersion Bible plan with friends. It is called, “The Power of Christian Contentment,” by Andrew Davis. It is so good. 

For this post, I wanted to capture a few of my thoughts in one spot. Contentment is a lifelong pursuit, so this simple post is by no means exhaustive.

The author talks about how rare contentment really is. I never thought about it that way. But I know many people (even Christians) who are mad at God for how life has turned out. They blame Him for what did or did not happen.

They choose to grumble and complain, but they refuse to take responsibility for their role in it. Not everything is someone’s fault, of course, but we have to do our part.

Sometimes, evil things happen and it seems like God has failed us. But God’s love never fails. He is always good, even when life doesn’t make sense. He is trustworthy!

To me, contentment means having peace and joy while going at God’s pace. It’s trusting Him, by not rushing ahead or setting lofty expectations, nor getting overly discouraged when disappointments come. We can’t avoid ups and downs entirely, but we can control our reactions.

The author mentioned that it takes supernatural effort to be content. Without Jesus, it seems we are always lacking something. In Jesus, we have everything we need. That doesn’t mean life is perfect, but He is with us and helps us through each of life’s challenges.

We weren’t meant to live with anger, anxiety, or fear!

God never sends bad or evil things upon His children. But, He will use everything (good or evil) for our benefit. Only He can orchestrate each of our paths and help us navigate life’s ups and downs while still bringing good out of it ALL! Wow!

The author mentioned the Apostle Paul and all he went through in spreading the gospel. To start, Paul was imprisoned, beaten, and shipwrecked. Eventually, he was executed.

Contentment is a lifestyle, an attitude, and a choice. Whether Paul had a lot or a little, was hungry or fed… in every circumstance, he persevered and learned to be content (Philippians 4:11-13).

In the ancient town of Philippi, Paul shared the gospel with a crowd. A woman named Lydia chose to believe the message and receive Christ. On Sunday, MY Lydia jokingly said, “No, they have it all wrong. She wasn’t from there, she was from North Dakota!”

It was funny, but it made me think. How often do we try to change or interpret God’s word to fit our goals and plans? We need to align ourselves with the Truth, that is Jesus!

Contentment comes when we know God’s heart for us and accept His path. It is not dependent on how much physical wealth we have or how little. It is not dependent upon whether or not all your personal dreams come true.

We can be content when our day takes a drastic turn. We can hold our tongue when people gossip about us. We can accept God’s will when we are not promoted or plans fail, knowing He has something better. We can maintain our joy, even when we have to make toast in the bathroom.

We can follow God wholeheartedly, even in the midst of pain. In fact, choosing to praise Him while suffering often brings an even better opportunity to show His goodness!

God loves working on our behalf despite the odds against us! That’s when His power shines bright and He gets all the glory! Woohoo!

We learn about God’s love by spending time with Him in two-way prayer, reading His Word and applying it, and learning to trust and obey the Holy Spirit.

Jesus showed us how to be content. He chose to follow His Father’s will, even to the cross. It would have been much more pleasant (for Him), had He done His own thing.

Jesus knew what was at stake, and He was strong to the end. Can you imagine how the story would have changed if all He did in Scripture is whine and complain?! Yikes!

Our Heavenly Father always does what is best for us. It’s our job to agree with Him and not run the show. Life is an adventure… but don’t be afraid. Be encouraged.

Jesus always leads us to Victory! May we be content and live in grace!

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God, thanks for You grace and love. Give us courage to let go and trust You. Help us grow in contentment. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Was this post on contentment comforting, challenging, or convicting? How can you cultivate contentment today?

Tasks: Check out the YouVersion Bible app for great reading plans that speak to everyday life. Invite some friends to join you!