Tag: Fargo

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #37

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

snow-and-grass

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

  • This has been a fun week! A friend from Illinois stopped by to visit on Tuesday. She was in town for a few days, and we were so glad she made the effort to see us.
  • On Wednesday, we discussed the power of forgiveness at church. Per brain researcher, Caroline Leaf, when we forgive, endorphins and other chemicals are released in our brains. The effects of forgiveness are then carried all throughout our bodies. “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). Science shows what we already knew from the Bible…forgiveness is healing!
  • Lydia and I had a great day on Thursday. We took some treats and a handmade thank you card to our favorite drop-in daycare, since they are closing next week. We’ll miss those ladies, who have been a big part of our lives these last few years! Then, we had about an hour before preschool, so went to read books at the bookstore. As we were leaving, a man sitting nearby said thanks for the story time. We reminded him of several missed opportunities over the years with his kids, when he traveled long distances for work. Now that he has a little grandson, he’s happy to have another chance. (As a result, Lydia and I promptly decided we should do that more often!) 🙂
  • We had our first snowfall of the season early Friday morning. We only got a couple inches, perhaps, but it was a wet, heavy snow. Our temperatures should be in the 30s for a few days, so it is likely to stay. Thankfully, my driveway and the local roads weren’t too bad! I think Fargo was on the edge of a big snow storm in Minnesota!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Being Gracious, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Parenting

A Friend Loves at All Times

We have some really cute and funny kids in our neighborhood. For the most part, they all play really well together. And since many of them come over to my house to play, I have a prime opportunity to observe their social interactions.

teddy-bear

In general, Lydia appears to be an extrovert and thrives on being around others. She loves knocking on doors (with permission) to ask if friends can come out to play. Lydia talks about and misses her friends when they are unavailable. Even so, when several of these kids get together, it’s possible someone could feel left out.

Although most parents try to teach their kids to share, use their manners, and be kind, most of us understand how it feels on the other side. We’ve all had those moments.

I like to look out for underdogs and wallflowers and want Lydia to do the same. To help her understand what I mean, she’s had to apologize on occasion for hurting someone’s feelings. I make her ‘take a break’ from playing with friends when tensions arise…because I don’t want her to take them for granted.

I wish it was always that simple!

We also role play different scenarios, where Lydia is ‘left out’ or where she stands up for someone who is. I regularly challenge Lydia to be on the lookout for someone who needs a friend. It doesn’t always work out as I hope. But when someone is left out, everyone else also misses out… on what that person has to offer.

As I talk with the other parents, we compare notes. It’s good to be on the same page!

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I suppose the concept of ‘being a friend’ hits home for me because I have relied so much on my friends these last few years. Lydia does not realize this just yet…but we would’ve never made it without God’s grace and all the loving support we received, from people near and far.

When Dave was sick, friends and family around the world—in England, Greece, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, not to mention all over the United States—prayed for us and helped us. Almost every week, we received something encouraging in the mail: Cards, gifts, handmade items, food deliveries, books, and more.

Many of the Fargo friends who played such an important role in our cancer journey have moved away for various reasons. But from my limited perspective, I like to think that perhaps God had them in Fargo because they had a special part to play in our story.

It is fascinating to think of how God orchestrated all these peoples’ lives to intersect them with ours when we needed it most. Only He could set up such perfect timing!

They stood with us during our roughest moments. And when our faith faltered, these friends pointed us to Jesus. When we had no strength of our own, they carried us to Him.

Friends mowed our lawn each week, watched Lydia at a moment’s notice (and kept her overnight), or took our dog, Britain, for weeks at a time. Yes, these friends were the hands and feet of Jesus in ways we had never seen before!

britain

Thank you. I am still in awe.

Of course, this does not diminish the significant role our own families played… but indeed, many of those friends and neighbors became like family! Without a doubt, Lydia and I are doing well because of ALL the loving sacrifices made on our behalf!

I hope Lydia understands: When you’re at your worst, a true friend is still loyal.

Like a golden retriever! 🙂

It has come full circle for me lately. In many cases, I am now praying for and encouraging dear friends all over the world in their own trials. It is such an honor to return the favor!

Sooo…This week Lydia and I are reviewing Proverbs 17:17 (above) and parts of 1 Corinthians 13. These verses have been good reminders for me too! And though some friends have moved away, God has also given me many new friendships. He is so, so good to me!

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Gracious God, thanks for dear friends and family. Thanks for the encouragement You provide through them. Help us love one another! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What does friendship mean to you? When was the last time you told your friends and family that you love and appreciate them?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #28

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

flowers-and-butterfly

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

  • This week was a full week, but I saw God’s grace each day! On Monday, I hosted a team building event for my group at church. Six of us played mini golf and then went to dinner. (I’m sure I was last in scoring; the score keeper graciously filled my slot with a smiley face each time I went over the number of strokes!) We all had a great time. Interestingly, there was no obvious, identifiable reason this group should have been hanging out together. Age, gender, and stage of life varied quite a bit among the group. But isn’t that God’s specialty… connecting people from many backgrounds through a common goal and purpose as we serve Him! So cool.

  • Tuesday and Wednesday were fairly ‘normal’ for us. We had work, deadlines, preschool, and even daycare. Lydia did well with the early mornings and later evenings. Still, I decided to say ‘no’ to a few fun activities this week because it all adds up. I’m learning to pace myself and set reasonable expectations!
  • On Thursday, I ran errands during preschool and had a meeting over the phone. I had about a million tiny little tasks and was able to finish several of them! Then, we started ice skating lessons, which went really well. Finally, this full day was capped of by a meeting at work. Lydia had another late night, but enjoyed going to drop-in daycare. She loves preschool, but also still likes the “comfort” of daycare.
  • Yesterday, Friday, was a catch-all day, where I completed my errands, did laundry, cleaned, etc. We also had a surprise thunderstorm after preschool. Our neighbors were over playing in our garage and got “stuck” because of the massive downpour. We ended up ordering pizza and had a great visit…all because the unexpected storm! That felt like an awesome blessing to me!
  • Last, but not least, today, I went to a ‘junk market’ with upcycled antiques and other refurbished items. I bought a few smaller items for my house, and had fun celebrating a dear friend’s birthday at lunch. It was a great day, and I also got to ‘enjoy’ the beautiful weather … by mowing. 😉

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Being Gracious, Food and Nutrition, Miscellaneous, Parenting

Making Hungry Hearts Happy

Each week varies, but weekends at our house have become pretty relaxing. I complete a few routine tasks, preparing for the coming week. But, we also enjoy seeing friends or special events when they pop up.

Mostly, Lydia goes outside to play with the neighbors! At times, several kids will be in my garage or another one close by. It’s quite fascinating at times to watch them interact! I have learned so much about hospitality and life by watching these group dynamics.

chalk

Personally, I can get caught up on having things “just right” before someone comes to visit. The pressure to host Pinterest-perfect parties doesn’t help, does it?!

But, with kids, it’s much clearer.

Children don’t care about having the right foods, beverages, or atmosphere. They just want to have fun! If there is food involved, great! If not, they’ll make do with toys and friends (real or imagined). Kids create warmth and welcome with their own laughter and joy.

Kids don’t care if you cleaned or not. They easily overlook the fact their ‘playground’ is half a garage filled with balls, scooters and bikes, a wagon containing My Little Ponies, Barbies, and other toys.

Even my own ‘work’ table has become a place to color and build with play-doh… Yes, when given the opportunity, children will make themselves right at home! I don’t mind…

toy-mlp

Occasionally, I’ll coach a child (mine or otherwise) on including everyone or sharing. But, overall, everyone plays really well. Even little brothers join in on the fun!

Sometimes I offer light snacks… Thankfully, there are no food allergies! Popcorn, fruit, cheese sticks, and even popsicles have all made appearances. It’s pretty simple, really.

This past Sunday was especially fun… I had four little girls, including Lydia, in my garage and driveway playing “water buckets.” A few years ago, filling two five-gallon buckets with water was my solution for beating the heat. It’s been a hit ever since!

Sure, we could go swimming, play at the splash pad, or run through the sprinklers. But so far, water buckets seems to do the trick! On hot sunny days, the kids toss toys in the water and fish them out. The laughter mixed with splashing is well worth it!

I always enjoy hearing each child’s stories and funny perspectives. Talking with them is certainly a delight, but I also see it as an investment in building healthy relationships. I’m not sure who is learning more—me or them!

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On Sunday, the kids also went next door to play with an adorable puppy. When some of the girls went home for dinner, three boys came over for coloring and riding bikes. As I chatted with two of my friends, Lydia said she was hungry.

“Mom, can we please have a snack?”

Quickly, I considered the options. It was dinnertime… We could corral the kids and make them stop playing on a gorgeous day…. OR…I could feed the kids, avoid potential meltdowns, enjoy the weather and conversation with my friends… and head inside later.

After checking with the other moms, it was an easy choice!

romans-12_13

I ran inside to make a handful of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I cut them in half and sliced up a two apples. I headed back out to the garage, also armed with cups for water.

Feeling a little like a camp counselor, I set the food on a table and pulled up some chairs.

Voila!

These four hungry kids probably ate better because of positive peer pressure. It’s funny how something like a pb&j sandwich can pass for hospitality!

While the kids were happily filling their bellies, I got in some much needed time with my friends. Hopefully, these moms also left feeling encouraged and energized like I did!

Yes, on Sunday, the key to hospitality was making hungry hearts happy…

Peanut butter and jelly for the win!

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Thank You, God, for great neighbors and hospitality! Thank you for simple joys like a child’s perspective, laughter, and pb&j sandwiches. Please guide each of us as we learn and grow. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What was your last funny topic of conversation with a child? Did their perspective change yours? What did you learn?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #26

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

autumn leaves

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

  • Lydia and I had another full week! We had preschool orientation, where Lydia had fun meeting new friends. Truth be told, she did fine—but I was the one who needed the heads-up! Parent handbook, school pictures, fundraisers, and birthday treats…serious stuff!! I should have known, but somehow I hadn’t even considered the additional things to remember each week (or month)! Lydia will do great, no doubt. But I’m praying for a smooth transition…for ME! 😉

  • On Thursday and Friday, we had play dates with good friends at two different parks. Both families have two girls, and each of my friends has a girl close to Lydia’s age. It was great to catch up with my “mom friends” and encourage each other. In one case, the little girls came home with me while their mom ran an errand. At that point, it was just after the area schools let out, and the neighbor kids also came over. So there were about six lovely little girls all playing together! It was so much fun to watch them interact! (And by God’s grace, it was drama-free!)

  • Today, while I was mowing the lawn, I noticed one of my new trees is starting to change colors. About 30 leaves are already turning red! I have also seen a few red trees on our block—so pretty! We’ve started to have some cooler temps, though nothing out of the ordinary. In the next month or so, the weather will change dramatically! Thank You, God, for the beauty around us!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #24

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

orange dahlia

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

  • This was a full, but exciting, week! In addition to our normal routine, each day had something fun to look forward to. Lydia was pretty excited about her dentist appointment on Monday. 🙂 Then, on Tuesday, I worked with a client, at her office instead of mine. So, it was nice to have a change of scenery that day.

  • Wednesday brought the delivery of my new dining room table and chairs. Perhaps I will post later about this, but it made me feel really special. The table is so pretty and I was thankful for God’s help finding a good deal on it!
  •  On Thursday, we attended a special car show—put on by Dave’s employer to honor his memory. This is the 4th year of the car show, but Lydia was more aware of it all this year. Perhaps this will be another post as well, but it was amazing to see God’s grace all over again. I was reminded of how beloved Dave was and it was great to catch up with his old friends and coworkers.
  • Yesterday (Friday) was also very good. We met my friend, Amy, and her kids for bowling. Amy is also a widow, like me, so we have much in common. We discussed some big decisions and I was so glad to help her process them. While neither of us would have chosen to be in our circumstances, it is helpful having someone who understands how it feels!
  • And then today, I enjoyed texting back-and-forth with my friend, Kim, while watching the women’s triathlon on the Olympics. Kim is an Ironman Triathlete. Not me…though I did manage a little online shopping and paperwork… 😉 But it was fun to cheer on Gwen Jorgenson as she won the gold! Her husband’s family is from Fargo, so that is a cool connection!

Watching the Olympics is pretty much the same as working out, right?!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #22

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

flowers in the woods

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

  • This was a really fun week. Lydia had Busy Beaver camp all week (at the Y). She went with a friend and had so much fun learning about science. As a result, my work schedule was altered in order to pick up the girls. It seems God had it all planned out though, because I had some unexpected free time on two of those days I normally work. I had a great meeting with a friend and was able to finish off an important project as a result.

  • Later in the week, my mother-in-law came to visit. We went window shopping, enjoyed several new restaurants, and went to a new little zoo outside of Detroit Lakes, MN. We took Lydia to a park to enjoy the fabulous weather and took a family friend to dinner. We had a great time with her!
  • My mother-in-law is so helpful with Lydia and she often has good ideas. I will need to re-stain my deck in a few weeks, but I had forgotten how the process worked. It can be challenging to make house decisions on my own, when previously Dave was so knowledgeable. This time, my mother-in law helped me sort through the plethora of options at the store. Thankfully, I remembered the original colors! A few years ago, some men from church volunteered to help me stain the deck, organize the garage, and lay down mulch. By God’s grace, the fact that I can do it myself this year is a testament to just how far I have come!
  • I have been making some upgrades to my home lately. For the most part, I have simply been switching furniture around and hanging pictures. But, in a few cases, I have sold items and bought replacements. So, this week, my mother-in-law also helped me pick out a cute little bistro table for my deck. Since Lydia and I don’t need a large table with tons of chairs, I wanted something a little smaller. I already found the one I wanted, but couldn’t decide which color on my own! 🙂
  • The entire bistro table and two chairs came in one box. The directions were written in spotty English and it took at least 30 minutes to understand how to put it all together. Enter God’s grace! It would have been very frustrating to do it all on my own, but my mother-in-law was very helpful! She held chair legs in place and together we figured it all out!

  • Finally, this week, my mother-in-law suggested Lydia learn to ride sans training wheels. With her at our house, there was more motivation! Next year, Lydia will probably be too big for her current bike, and this one is closer to the ground should she fall. Considering my mother-in-law helped Dave (Lydia’s Daddy) so many years ago, I am sure she took special delight in helping Lydia!

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

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

Finding Grace #12

I love the concept of 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 in God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

full rainbow

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

    • On Monday, I went to an all-day women’s conference in Fargo. I wasn’t thrilled about sitting down for almost 10 hours, yet we had several breaks throughout the day, and this year was the best yet! Each speaker was so good; I enjoyed every minute. I even met a Registered Dietitian I have followed for years. So that was really cool! I’m so thankful for a 10-hour drop-in daycare and that Lydia is fairly flexible and enthusiastic in these situations. “Lydia, you will get to eat breakfast and lunch there…but I will pick you up before supper time.”  I packed her bag full of fun, healthy foods and she was set. “Oh, YES! I’m so excited!”
  • On Tuesday, I mowed the lawn. Not super exciting, but the forecast predicted rain all week and I wanted to stay on top of it. Then, I decided to water the grass because it was extra crispy. I haven’t watered the grass in three years, but since it is so early in the season, I needed to do something about it! Lydia played with the neighbors the entire time. We didn’t go to bed until after 9pm that night. It was so beautiful and sunny. We thoroughly enjoyed our time outside!
  • On Wednesday, I woke up sore from moving the water hose around the yard…only to see it raining. (I actually love a good rain storm and even saw a rainbow later!) Lydia had been hoping for rain all week so she could use her new Hello Kitty umbrella! So, we headed outside to walk around in the rain for a few minutes. Then, we stayed outside so Lydia could enjoy the experience. 🙂 Hey, life is short! She rode her bike in the rain, jumped in a large puddle, and picked clover “flowers.” We also played catch with a tennis ball. It was great to see her delight in such simple joys.
  • Friday afternoon’s weather brought a thunderstorm and a couple ‘little’ tornadoes in a neighboring town! Later, we spent the evening with my friend, Amy, and her family. Amy recently graduated from college and I am so proud of her. We were introduced by mutual friends, after our husbands died of cancer. We’ve been encouraged by each other over the last couple of years, as we have shared our stories. Amy has three young school-aged children and has worked so hard these last few years to provide for her family by pursuing (and finishing) her degree. College is difficult enough, but I cannot imagine doing it with kids. Like me, Amy has also relied on God to get her through. What a testament of His grace in her life… empowering Amy to do the impossible!
  • Today, Lydia and I had a special day together. We went to the Fargo zoo, had a picnic lunch at the park, had a tea party, painted her nails at home and few other activities. Our week was jammed with many fun and interesting activities, but these are the highlights. I am continually amazed to see how diverse our experiences have been each week. God is writing a wonderful story, and I am so thankful for His grace as I see it unfold day by day.

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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)!

Where did YOU see or experience God’s grace this week?

Posted on in Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Wisdom, Words

Sharing Our Stories

Thanks so much for your prayers and encouragement around the three year anniversary of Dave’s death! My mom and aunt visited for a few days to celebrate Dave and comfort me.

I kept their visit as a surprise from Lydia, but the joke was on me. My sister also came…to surprise ME! We had a wonderful visit: shopping, eating yummy food, and sharing stories.

I love how each of our lives interconnect. I’m thankful we encourage and support each other through the ups and downs of Life. I also love a good cup of coffee. 🙂

I don’t need anything fancy! I’ll drink coffee at home with milk, most days. Even better, I enjoy coffee with a friend, sharing stories and experiences, learning from each other.

coffee

What’s more, I love how each of us can impact those around us with the stories of our personal lives. Never underestimate the power or significance of your story.

Whether you enjoy coffee or not, don’t be afraid to share your story with those around you. Even total strangers can benefit!

The night before my visitors arrived, my mom had an interesting conversation with the cashier at a certain store. She was picking up some snacks and a little trinket for Lydia.

“Oh you must be going on a trip!” said the cashier, an older woman.

My mom mentioned the reason for her trip, and told the cashier a little of my story. The lady grew quiet, and said, “My daughter is a younger widow, too. She doesn’t have small children now, but she is having a difficult time.” (Her husband died in a sudden accident.)

My mom is compassionate and understanding in these types of moments. Through the course of their conversation, Mom shared about my blog, and that God has taken such good care of us. We are not angry with God, and keep moving forward.

This prompted the cashier to say, “I don’t really know how to get ahold of God.” So, Mom explained the basic gospel message to her. They chatted a little more. Then, the lady wrote a few things down, and squeezed my mom’s hand as she left.

2 Corinthians 1_3-4

Isn’t God good?! He meets us right where we are, and longs to comfort us. After all, our personal life stories are just a small part of the greater one He is writing.

We overcome by the blood of the Lamb (Jesus!) and the word of our testimony (see Revelation 12:11). As we share our stories, we are healed. But it doesn’t stop there. It is not all about us. Our redemptive stories also bring God glory and bless others. Knowing this makes my pain more bearable!

We have the ability to affirm and speak God’s truth to one another! Once we have worked through our own mess, we become His messengers to others. When infused with His grace and wisdom, our words bring His power to set people free.

Please note: I am not suggesting to “spill your guts” or share other people’s secrets (gossip). If you need help processing your pain, please consider professional input.

latte with heart

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

Did you catch that? What was meant for evil—to hurt or stop us—God is working for good. Our pain does not go wasted. God collects each and every tear we cry. If we let Him, God will redeem our experiences and help someone else grow closer to Him, too.

Yes, grief and other emotions are normal. But we cannot stay there. Instead of dwelling on the loss, the anger, the negativity… Take it to Jesus. His love never fails. Let Him walk you through to Victory, and then share what He has done in your life with others.

At the end of you life, the only thing that will matter is your relationship with Jesus Christ, followed by how you treated other people. We can’t take our stuff with us!

Ultimately, the coffee won’t matter, but our stories will.

So speak up. Tell your story. See God heal your heart and touch the lives of others. Our stories (and lessons learned) can change lives—even to the point of eternity.

Isn’t that worth it?

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God of all comfort, thank You for healing our hearts. Give us courage to share the deep parts of our lives with others. Give us wisdom and grace as we encourage and learn from each other. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: If you like coffee, how do you like it best? What part of your personal story (testimony) could be shared to encourage or comfort someone else?

 

Posted on in Miscellaneous, Procrastination, Travel, Worship

The 12-Hour Turnaround

It is amazing what rejuvenation can come from a get-away. Lydia and I spent almost a week in Illinois, while we visited family and a few friends. It was just the ‘reset’ I needed.

Usually, we drive there and back in two days, stopping overnight each time. This adds a couple extra days to our trip—which is fun, but not always feasible. So, this time, we drove for twelve hours all in one day to Illinois and then the same road trip back to Fargo.

Now we have taken this route numerous times in nearly six years. And we have done the long all-day trek several times too. But this time was different.

sunrise from car

On this road trip, I needed a major turnaround. Yes, an attitude readjustment!

It could’ve been related to not sleeping well the night before. Perhaps it was the sense of leaving family and comfort behind. Maybe there were other factors too—like postponing breakfast—but I was in a funky mood at the beginning of the trip!

It was still dark as we started out. After a little while, Lydia fell back asleep. As I listened to her soft snoring, I started to reflect upon all we were driving back toward (in Fargo). There’s nothing like a little distance to give you some perspective!

Before, on the way to Illinois, we were driving toward family. But, as we drove back to Fargo, there was a void. I also realized as the third-year mark of Dave’s death approaches, we have been making these trips without him longer than with him.

I continued thinking about lessons learned, how many things have changed. Lydia has grown so much! Also, at least eight families—much of our support system—have moved away for various reasons. Though, God has been faithful to provide new friends and a wonderful drop-in daycare!

Other aspects of our lives are fairly steady. I’ve taken huge leaps forward, yet I feel there is still so much to do. Sometimes it is overwhelming. Though we love calling Fargo home—and have no plans to move—it has not been without challenges.

As we made our way North, I turned on the radio. I have a SiriusXM subscription which is awesome for traveling. I don’t use it often in Fargo, but on Monday, I was thankful for the encouraging words on The Message (Channel 63).

With God-focused songs, like Trust in You by Lauren Daigle, I knew I needed to give all my fears and frustrations to God. When I fear, I forget God’s faithfulness. But, the truth is, the Lord has been so, so good to me. He is kind, generous, and trustworthy. I don’t have to worry, because the He is in charge of all the details.

two arrows

As the hours rolled by, Lydia and I sang and talked. As I feasted on God’s grace and truth, a weight lifted. The closer we got to Fargo, the more light-hearted I became. Soon I was confident, hopeful, and trusting God again. What a relief knowing I don’t walk this path alone!

God continually gives me opportunities to trust Him at a deeper level. Oddly enough, I found new motivation to make some changes I previously resisted. My resistance is not on purpose, but I can be stubborn!

Being stuck in my car, I was open-minded to make changes regarding my daily routine. It’s funny how sitting in the car all day makes me want to switch up my exercise plan! 😉 Now, I have a renewed vision for Fargo and am excited to see all the Lord has in store!

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Following God is not always comfortable or easy. But, it is so worth it. God is for me not against me. He gently redirects me when I get off track. I can trust Him because He loves me so much!

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Father God, thanks for Your unrelenting grace and love. Thanks for never giving up on me. Lord, I need You—I cannot make it on my own. Help me trust You more and more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: What are your favorite music tunes for the car? Has God ever changed your heart during a road trip?