At the back edge of my daughter's yard there stands a gnarled, withered old apple tree. When I spent several days with her last week, I found myself drawn to this tree each morning. It was the aging of the fruit scattered on the ground and the withering of the leaves that felt familiar … Continue reading Mercy in the Withering
Category: Chronic Illness
His Ways Are So High
Just when we thought spring was finally on its way, our tricky Midwestern weather decided it needed another backwards dance with ice and snow. My heart can sometimes feel that backwards pull. Maybe yours does also? After decades of praying for relief for my husband's chronic knee injury, when the actual surgery for … Continue reading His Ways Are So High
A Letter to my Friends
Hello, My Friend, I am so thankful that you asked how I was doing the other day. You see, on many days it’s hard for me to get out, and I really do appreciate your concern. Sometimes when people look at me, it’s hard to tell that anything difficult is going on because much of … Continue reading A Letter to my Friends
A Hiding Place
It was late in the day before I could flip the calendar for that day's Scripture. But when I saw the verse, my heart felt a sweet stirring from the Lord as I realized that only God could have brought about such perfect timing: Psalm 32:7 Six years ago this week our oldest … Continue reading A Hiding Place
Worry and Concern — An Allegory
When I joined the Feedback Team for Finding Purpose, Book 2 in Chronic Joy’s THRIVE Study Series, I was so intrigued by the activities included with the study questions. One of the options was an invitation to write an allegory based on the differences between worry and concern. Writing this story became a way to … Continue reading Worry and Concern — An Allegory
Stillness
I sat on the bridgestill as a stoneAnd watched the fishdarting and dashingunder the rocksand into the shadows. And my heart felt as one knew the quiverthat a stirring in the watercould bring. Two and a half years ago, when my man and I walked to that bridge, I did not realize that I had already begun this … Continue reading Stillness
As the Holidays Approach
The holidays were approaching, yet another specialty medication wasn’t panning out in the way we had hoped, and I found myself in a full-blown Rheumatoid Arthritis flare, longing for any kind of relief from the pain. I called my Rheumatologist to report on my condition and his instructions were, “Lay low and be patient. We … Continue reading As the Holidays Approach
Day 24: Listen for Instructions
Have you ever felt that nothing you are doingis making any difference?Perhaps you have felt that you are doing everythingyou know to do,and yet the results have turned outfar below your expectations? Or, what if you are in the place where nothing makes senseand there seems to be nowhereto turn for any answer? You are not alone, … Continue reading Day 24: Listen for Instructions
Day 7: Listen for Answers to the Doubt
Once again, I had a vision shaped in my mind for what this next post might be about. You see, I had chosen this verse, and worked on its accompanying graphic early on in this #Write31Days Challenge. And I had let my mind drift . . . Maybe this verse means that you will answer … Continue reading Day 7: Listen for Answers to the Doubt
Discovering Hope
( In exchange for my review, and being part of the Launch Team for this book, the author provided this book, for me. All opinions expressed are purely my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”) … Continue reading Discovering Hope
