Joy Comes in the Morning

    Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5 ESV   Throughout my years of reading the Scriptures, this verse has been one of my favorites. It has brought such a comfort into so many hard places. When night fell it seemed that the problems always loomed much … Continue reading Joy Comes in the Morning

The Gift of His Coming

Again my heart is so thankful for all of the prayers that have been lifted up for me.  Last week another procedure was on the schedule: my Ophthalmologist was finally ready to remove the small cyst on my upper eyelid. Praise God, the procedure went so smoothly, with no allergic reactions this time. 3 doses … Continue reading The Gift of His Coming

Chronic Joy Ministry

    Have you ever heard that still small voice of God asking something of you that felt impossible? Throughout my journey with Chronic Illness, every time that I have wanted to curl up in my safe corner and stay hidden away, Jesus has called me to open my heart and be honest in the … Continue reading Chronic Joy Ministry

A Spring Never Failing

    (photo taken at Como Park Conservatory, St. Paul, MN, 2014)   The therapist pushed gently on my back and at the same time rested her hand above my heart.  And I heard the Lord ask me to give Him my heart.  Like Peter, I was hurt by the question. "Lord, you know I … Continue reading A Spring Never Failing

The Gardener Plants

    Sitting around the table with a few of my loved ones, the conversation had shifted to the gardens around our homes. As my friend's suffering eyes transformed with a glow when she described her home, I heard myself speaking an answer,   "You've planted your soul in the ground of that place."   … Continue reading The Gardener Plants

God-Sight

Have you ever felt hidden and unseen?     Over these many months, now years,  of medication failures I have felt the pain of being minimized and unseen. And yet, God has placed such comfort for me in surprising places. When we walked into the office of my small-town General Physician last week, the nurse … Continue reading God-Sight

Delighting in Weaknesses

Not long ago a friend and I were pondering the mystery of how Christ opens our hearts to His strength in our weaknesses, how He transforms us in the deepest of places. From that pondering came a story, an allegory from my own past. May Jesus bless you as you read the story of my … Continue reading Delighting in Weaknesses

The Bowed Down Ones

    Her pain weighed her down Unable to stand She yet pressed in, At the Temple She bowed low.   “Daughter,” He cried, “Arise, be made whole!” Out of the crowd gathered There at the courts He called her forth.   Jesus saw her shame As the Pharisees Condemned Sited the rules To quench … Continue reading The Bowed Down Ones

He Will Carry Us

    Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave … Continue reading He Will Carry Us

The Song of the Father

      Over 20 years ago I had a dream that is still crystal clear in my mind today. In the dream, I was carrying a baby, and walking through a church parking lot. Standing under the awning at the Church's entrance was an older man who was singing this song:   I will … Continue reading The Song of the Father