Tag: joy

Posted on in Being Gracious, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #428

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!

Free Nature Wildlife photo and picture

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

This was another good week. Thanks for all your support and encouragement on Wednesday, the eleventh anniversary of Dave’s death. I really appreciate your kind words and prayers!

On Wednesday, I took the day off work, had some car maintenance done, and received a relaxing facial. Later, Lydia and I went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with a friend. Dave always enjoyed that restaurant, and my friend and I hadn’t been there in years – perhaps since we last went with Dave!

Lydia had her last orchestra concert this week, and I am happy to report she will continue next year. In fact, she tried out for chamber orchestra at her school and made the cut! I look forward to more orchestra concerts in the future! Lydia has made several new friends this year. There are only about ten violists are in her grade, and she said they are all pretty close. I love her confidence!

Work went well, and we had some important meetings about good changes ahead. However, I also took off yesterday since Lydia got sick right before school. Thankfully, I was still home to help her! I will have to catch up on work next week, but I am glad to have the ability to be there for Lydia, too!

Lydia and I finished our screens, and they turned out really well. I was able to clean all the windows and windowsills, which was probably a good thing anyway! Then, this morning, I finally reinstalled the screens. Overall, it was easier than I expected, but still a drawn-out process (about a month!). I could do the other windows around the house, but I don’t really want to!

The weather was great this week, with cooler, wet mornings and warm/hot afternoons. I mowed the lawn last night between potential rain showers, and it took me two hours because I bagged the grass (twice as long as usual). But the yard looks good, making the effort worth it! The little blue and white tree swallows are back and sitting on my deck to survey “their” domain. It has been fun to see them flitting around.

Speaking of birds, I also saw a downy woodpecker this week! I took a walk on my lunchbreak and was so surprised to see it! It was so cute and the highlight of my day.

I am still sore from all the work last night, so I am really glad I could relax today! I made some banana muffins, and Lydia had a friend over. They are in viola classes together, and she seems really sweet. Otherwise, it’s just been routine Saturday things!

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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, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Staying Power

Today, Lydia and I are celebrating eleven years of Dave being in Heaven. As you can imagine, the month or two leading up to this day can be a little heavy. I try not to think about it much, but I can’t help it. I know it’s coming.

I tend to get a little emotional, which might show up as a soft, sensitive heart or with a short temper (not my usual!). I might get fired up or not care at all. It kind of depends on the day and the circumstances.

Typically, I am known for being steady and reliable. The one who shows up and follows through. But, during this brief period, I tend to do whatever it takes to keep moving forward.

Generally, that means pulling back from unnecessary activities to focus on what is. ‘No’ is a wonderful word! I used to apologize and try to explain, but this year, I have allowed myself not to worry about it. It has been a relief to show up as I am that day and be present.

It is funny how that has turned out. I have more energy, which has led to more courage to speak up about what matters and wisdom to let the other stuff go. I have been in tune with Jesus and have come into more of my own. His joy is my secret weapon and strength!

Reflecting on all this, I am grateful for all God has done. He has caught me, carried me, and sustained me. Right away, I knew I wanted to stay in Fargo, at least until Lydia was old enough to understand what happened. Moving is a lot of work, and I also wanted her to have closure.

Moving closer to family would have been easier, and maybe we will someday. But, for now, we are here. In the meantime, staying has meant asking for help and seeking God’s provision. He is the faithful One draws us close. There’s no place I’d rather be.

Years ago, I was inspired by various widows, such as Elisabeth Elliot and, later, Huldah Buntain, a missionary to India. When their husbands tragically died, they chose to stay where God had planted them, offering themselves to His work. I had my own reasons, but I have also seen God’s blessing in and through my life. I am so glad we stayed.

Staying put has helped me stay in-step with Jesus. This means going at His slower pace, not racing ahead or dragging my feet. As I wait on Him, I know when to move and when to rest. I have to lay aside daily distractions to ensure I can hear His voice and understand where He is leading me. After all, He holds me together (Colossians 1:17)!

While we often miss Dave and talk about him, we rejoice for the time we had with him. We are grateful that God has us in a good spot. Work is going well, and Lydia is thriving in school. We don’t know the future, but we know the best is yet to come. As we rest in Jesus’ presence, we rely on His staying power to see us through.

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God, thanks for Your grace and faithfulness all these years. You are so good to me, my All-In-All, always protecting me and providing for me. Help me keep moving forward. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Whose power are you relying on? How is that working for you? Are you living in your own limited strength or relying on the infinite, unmatchable power of Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe?

Tasks: When you want to run away from your emotions or problems, run directly to Jesus. His name means Salvation. He can handle all the craziness, but you have to bring it to Him!

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

Finding Grace #427

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!

Free Northern Lights Aurora Borealis photo and picture

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

This was a good week. I am grateful it was a fairly normal week of work and school.

The weather has been absolutely perfect this week. We were able to take some walks together. We noticed some pretty flowering trees, bunnies, birds, and more. I enjoyed hearing Lydia’s chatter about all she has been thinking about lately.

Work went well, and I had a bit of downtime this week. I had a couple of cancellations and used that time to chart and catch up, which was nice. I also took a short walk outside a few days during lunch. Taking those breaks helped clear my mind, and I felt more productive in the end.

My house projects are still in process, but my neighbor came to help remove the screens so I can replace them. It looks fairly easy, but I might need Lydia to give me an extra hand.

This week, the biggest surprise was seeing the Northern Lights (the picture above is from Pixabay, an online repository, not mine)! Last night, I stayed up late and went out to the countryside for the best lightshow in twenty years. I had never seen two colors before. Glorious! Lydia was at a sleepover but sent me some of her pictures, too. I’m glad she thought they were cool!

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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, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom

A Secret Weapon

The last couple of weeks have been a bit…maddening. I’ve lost my temper once or twice and been a little grouchy. Some of it could be subconsciously being aware that the eleventh anniversary of Dave’s death is next week. But really, things have just built up.

At home, unexpected issues have popped up, including trouble replacing my screens after getting egged and picking up a ton of dog poop from my yard (though I don’t have a dog). Then, the fence at the edge of my property fell again (after a two-year fight to get it put back up). It’s just been a lot lately.

I’ve been tempted to have a little pity party, thinking things would be easier if Dave were still here. While that may be true, I know life is full of problems, so even then, something else would likely happen unexpectedly! I can be grateful my problems are not worse, and I know many people are facing greater trials.

Work has been busy as usual, too. Good, just not much downtime to think straight. LOL Thus, my patience has been a little short, but I have been trying to bring all these things to Jesus. I talked with my mom yesterday, and she reminded me that His joy is my strength!

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV

I recently heard Jesus was the most joyful person who has ever lived. In His presence is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11)! But He also had a very difficult life. He was born to suffer and die at my expense (and yours!). If Jesus can have abundant joy despite His circumstances, so can I.

Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means He wants to grow that in me. The seed has been planted, I just need to cultivate it. This goes for love, peace, patience, etc.

Fruit is meant to be shared with others, to refresh and encourage them, similar to grace. As my mom pointed out, God wants people to see Him in us, so how we display the fruits of the Spirit matters. This is a good reminder to keep looking for ways to serve others and take the focus off myself.

Here are some questions to consider: Do I show joy or grouchiness on my face? Do I bring love and peace to a situation or chaos? Am I loving, kind, and patient even when I don’t get my way? Do I call out the good in others? Do I speak gentle words or bring wrath? Am I faithful even when it costs me? Do I show self-control when life flings out of control?

While I don’t expect my house issues to suddenly disappear, I know they will all work out in time. And I can choose to enjoy life in the meantime. I can find fun and creative things to do, or at least look for ways to bring joy into small moments of my day. Joy is my secret weapon as I stay close to Jesus, for therein lies my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

When things feel out of control, I will take them to the One who controls the Universe and cares for me infinitely (1 Peter 5:7).

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God, thanks for the fruits of Your Holy Spirit. Specifically, help me cultivate more peace, joy, and patience as I work through these challenges. Thanks for all You do for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Out of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, which ones do you need to cultivate the most right now?  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Task: Next time you feel bent out of shape, consider why. Do whatever it takes to protect your peace and joy. Remember, people are looking for Jesus in you!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Finding Grace #425

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!

Free Flowers Tulips photo and picture

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

This week was good and fairly normal.

The weather was mixed with some warmer and cooler days and a bit of sun, wind, and rain. It has been a pretty Spring so far, and I am glad to see the green grass and buds on the trees. I will probably have to mow next week, though it will be sooner than I ever have while living in North Dakota!

As I mentioned on Wednesday, my house was egged this week. I am grateful for the help of neighbors, and I still need to look into getting a new screen. If it is not too much work, I might rescreen all the windows in the front part of my house. That way, they all look clean and fresh again.

School and work went well this week. I had some great conversations with many of my coworkers, but overall, there’s nothing too important to report. It was nice and peaceful!

Today has also been a fairly calm day. I have done a few little projects, but I have mostly been talking on the phone, watching Bible archaeology videos by Appian Media, and reading. It is a welcome chance to relax.

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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, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Travel

Finding Grace #424

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!

Free Tulips Tulip Field photo and picture

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

This week was bittersweet. We laid my Aunt Deb to rest in my small central Illinois hometown. It was a long way to travel, but I am so glad we went. We even visited with my mom’s side of the family for a little bit. Being with extended family was good, and I feel blessed to reconnect with my roots.

The weather was warmer in Illinois, and I had forgotten the grass greens up quicker than in Fargo! The tulips and crabapple trees were blooming in full force—so pretty! Lydia and I were gone for nearly a week, and I was so happy to see our own grass had started turning green by the time we returned to North Dakota!

During our road trip, we stayed overnight with my mother-in-law in Rockford. We enjoyed hanging out with her and Dave’s brother before heading downstate the next day. We then stopped by my brother’s house to hang out before the rest of the family rolled into town. On the way back, we stayed in a Chicago suburb with my sister and her family.  It was great to see where each of them lived because they all had moved since we last drove to Illinois. Now, when they tell us about their day, we can envision it a little better.

Seeing old friends in Illinois was heartwarming, and I appreciated the kind comments about my blog and book. Thanks for your ongoing support and encouragement!

Lydia and I went back to school and work on Friday. I was so honored when several of my coworkers sent me texts to say hi or stopped by to see me in my office. I shared some goodies I had brought back from my trip and thanked them for covering for me. It was nice to be missed, but I was also glad to be back.

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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 Books and Movies I Like, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Ducks In A Row

Spring means a lot of birds are arriving daily! I have noticed songbirds, geese, and ducks lately. Did you know there are over fifty types of ducks worldwide, including geese and swans? (This site reports 165, to be exact.)

Apparently, there are thirty-three different duck species in the United States. Some are friendly and some are territorial. As a side note, loons are not ducks. Now you know!

Not too long ago, I saw a picture of a duck with seventy-six ducklings following her! This article describes it as a ducky daycare of sorts. That makes me smile just thinking about it!

Just like God cares for the sparrows, he absolutely cares for the ducks, too!

Free Ducks Ducklings photo and picture

When life gets busy, we may say, “I need to get my ducks in row.” This expression suggests that we need to get organized or ensure all the details line up just so. It can be difficult because no one can keep all their ducks in a row for long! The ducks (or tasks) are constantly changing, even if they all cooperate and things go smoothly.

I definitely feel that way sometimes, and I am sure you do, too. I try to bend several ways to accomplish much more than I probably should. Lord help me!

I am listening to John Mark Comer’s book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. He writes how hurry and busyness lead to distraction and burnout. We tend to run, run, run, and leave little room for margin.

As Christians, this puts us in a dangerous position because if we are so busy all the time, we don’t take time to check in with God. Doing something FOR God is different than doing it WITH God.

King Saul learned that the difficult way in 1 Samuel 13. His soldiers were afraid and leaving the battle, and Saul got tired of waiting for God’s prophet to come. He took matters into his own hands, and because of his impatience and disobedience, Saul eventually lost everything.

Free Duck Ornithology photo and picture

God’s pace is SLOW compared to the world’s pace. We can only survive spiritually if we roll back the busyness and walk with God at the pace He sets. Not several steps ahead without checking in to see if we are actually supposed to go in that direction.

The author mentioned that God is love, and perfect love takes time. So do joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. For example, we need to slow down to love people well, enjoy the present moment, and have peace of mind. Helping people or listening to them takes intention. When we are faced with temptation, we are at risk if we jump right in before weighing options.

Slowing down likely means having fewer ducks overall (tasks on my to-do list). I won’t shirk my responsibilities or give away my little duckies, but when it’s time for them to fledge (our time together is complete), I don’t have to get more ducks ‘just because.’ I trust God to help me know what I can handle and what that looks like.

After all, God cares for the ducks, and He cares for me, too. All the world’s ducks are His. And all circumstances and the tasks in my little world are under His guidance, too. Or, at least, they are if I ask for His help and go at His pace!

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God, thanks for the gift of ducks! Thanks for the new life they represent and the joy they bring. Help me submit my daily schedule to you. Give me just the right amount of tasks and help me stay focused on You. I want to walk with You, In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How many “ducks” are you in charge of right now? Is it too much or just enough? Are you trusting God?

Tasks: Let’s honor God by checking in with Him regarding our schedule. We can trust Him to give us just the right amount of ducks. Keep in mind chaos and overwhelm are NOT from Him… don’t beat yourself up if your ducks are running wild. Just bring them to Jesus and let Him help you!

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

Finding Grace #422

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 was a great week. Most of the week was fairly normal with work and school. Friday probably had the most excitement, as you can read further below.

On Sunday, we celebrated Easter. Lydia and I went to one church service and volunteered at another. The kids were very excited, and we had some funny experiences together.

The weather was perfect this week. Although the mornings were cooler, by afternoon, temperatures reached the 50s and 60s.

One cool thing that happened on Thursday was that I finally hit 100,000 miles on my Subaru! I will have had it for eleven years in August. At first, I put a lot of miles on it, driving back and forth to see family in Illinois. But I haven’t done that for a few years, so this milestone took a little longer than I expected. Thankfully, my car is in good condition. I am going to try driving it another 100k!

Lydia’s orthodontist’s wife apparently works at a spa next door to his office. So, on Friday, I received one of three free hour-long facials as a courtesy. Orthodontics are expensive, so this perk is appreciated! Lydia said my face is now glowing…. I’ll take it!

Yesterday was also my parents’ 49th wedding anniversary! They are a blessing to so many, and I am so proud to call them Mom and Dad. I appreciate how they have invested in my life, and I continue to learn from them!

Also yesterday, Lydia and I went to a the funeral visitation for a coworker’s dad. I wanted to go support her, and I also wanted to make sure Lydia had the experience. She has been to funerals before, but it is always good to know how to act in those often sad and uncomfortable experiences. 

Today, I was on-call for work, though I didn’t get called in. I woke up early to prepare and then did a lot of cleaning while waiting for my phone to potentially ring. I descaled my coffee machine, did three loads of laundry, helped Lydia organize her bedroom closet, made some Amazon returns to UPS, and caught up with some reading and bills. It felt great to be productive!

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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, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Prayer, Procrastination, Wisdom, Worship

Living Redeemed

Spring is in the air, and I sense God doing something new! In some ways, I feel like this season has already been drawn out since we had hardly any winter snow. But, I also feel a little behind the game because it is easy to coast along when I am busy with other things. Sometimes, it is nice to have some urgency, and at different times, it is good just to relax. Either way, I am excited to see what God is doing.

On Easter Sunday, Psalm 103:1-5 was shared, and the sermon was about what it means to be redeemed. Essentially, redemption means that a ransom was paid (Jesus’ blood) so we can live freely with new purpose. Living under God’s grace has many benefits, as you can read below:

1 Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Free River Stream photo and picture

Below are a few of my notes. I certainly have some thinking to do, but this is a good place to start. I hope you find these points useful and can personalize them for your circumstances! 

As God’s children, we are redeemed from sin, death, and fear. We are given new life and have the freedom to walk it out in faith and Victory. Collectively, we are redeemed to participate in God’s Kingdom and do good works, which He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

But what good works did Jesus redeem me for specifically? They will be unique to me. I have a special purpose and hidden potential. My life belongs to Jesus, and what I do matters, but it will likely look different from everyone else.

What are the consequences of not living my full purpose? What will I miss out on? Who is depending on me to be faithful? Whatever the answer, it affects me, my family, my community, and the Church in general. If I don’t do my part, everything suffers. Jesus already did the main work, but He still has a plan for me to complete. Get going!

Sooo… What am I waiting for? What is holding me back? This could be apathy, rebellion, fear, etc., depending on the situation! It’s definitely worth thinking through and dealing with the root causes. Otherwise, I’ll never get started.

Each of us will have different answers to the questions I listed above. But, it is worth praying about what God wants you to know and do. There is great blessing joy, and peace when we are on His path for us. That doesn’t mean we won’t have a struggle, though!

Living redeemed takes courage, but what an adventure it is! Do your best and focus on progress, not perfection. Remember, we live under God’s abundant grace! He is committed and more than able to complete the good work he started in you (Philippians 1:6).

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Heavenly Father, thanks for redemption, new life, and grace. You are good, and so are your plans for me! Help me understand Your work in my life and how You have equipped me for it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What do you think God has redeemed you for specifically? Do you anticipate any changes, or are you already where you need to be?

Task: When praying for specific next steps, consider your personality, talents, passion areas, and life experiences. All of these can help determine if you are on the right path.

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous

Finding Grace #421

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!

Free Robin Red-Breasted photo and picture

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

This Holy Week was good. I did a daily Bible devotion on YouVersion about Jesus’ las week, and it was good to keep that at the forefront of my mind.

On Sunday, I met with a dear church friend for coffee. She has been growing in her faith but is working through some tough issues. I am so proud that she mentioned her questions to me, and we were able to discuss them. She was dealing with fear, and I encouraged her and challenged her to not give up. As long as we keep moving forward toward Him, we will have Victory!

Work was surprisingly slow! I had a lot of patients, but a few canceled or no-showed, and some rescheduled or just didn’t want to talk long. I was able to stay on top of my charting and am fully caught up! I was able to do a few projects and even cleaned my desk!

Otherwise, it was a quiet week. I have enjoyed the calm, and often, during these peaceful moments, I can hear from God best. Of course, He has given me a few new things to think about and pray through. 🙂

Today, I saw my first robin of spring! I had just woken up, and the bird was singing on my deck. I was delighted and am sure there will be many more in the coming days!

Finally, three people mentioned my book to me. One asked how to get a copy for a friend, and two gave positive feedback. I love that my works are encouraging others! It’s been awhile since I shared the link, but here is how you can get one (or three!).

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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)!