Beauty from Ashes - A Continual Process

gives us true hope. We don’t have to have life figured out. We can’t figure it out.  We can find comfort in just breathing the next breath as a gift.  And then the next... I’ve recently been learning to build strength in my body and manage fibromyalgia through yoga.  This practice reminds me of the truth God taught me a long time ago...live in this very moment, live in the presence of our amazing God - right now.   One way we can be present with Him is to soak in His love letter to us.  That's what I'm sharing today, His Words to our hearts. I'm not sharing my specifics of my story today, only enough to say, God does redeem all the hard...and will be redeeming the hard until heaven. I know that each of us have a story.  My hope is to encourage you today. He is faithful to turn many sorrows into many strengths, each time building our faith muscle.  The strength often comes slowly.  Just like the muscles we b...

It was 6 am Monday morning, May 20, 2019.  Steve and I were quietly sitting at the kitchen table, candle lit, Bibles opened.  We each read different passages so we are together, but not reading out loud. It is peacefully silent, apart from the burning wick.  It's been a gift to sit by this man and meet with Jesus side by side in the quiet of the mornings. On this particular morning, 3 weeks ago, Steve's sister called us at 6 am.  We both knew before he answered.  Steve's mom had gone ahead of us to be with Jesus.  By God's grace, she went quietly in her sleep in her own bed.  I had prayed for her peaceful release from earth, but honestly, I did not have full faith when I prayed for that.  It could not have been more peaceful. We were instantly in planning mode.  We had had our bags packed for 3 months because of many last minute medical trips.  But ironically, we were not packed that morning.  For all the planning, you a...

When HOPE is a blur, when it feels elusive, then what?  In my quest for answers, many of which I will never have until Heaven, I have leaned on faith.  But surely faith is tested!  Then what? Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 I challenged myself to read the book of Mark this Christmas season, and I can honestly say it was God who challenged me .  For many years I have talked about the Bible, the Word of God, as He describes it Himself in Hebrews 4:12, "full of living power."  I believe that with all my heart!  It's not a magic book.  It's a book, a letter, that God encourages us to read as a GIFT from Him.  He is the GIFT.   He. Is. The. Gift. What a gift then to read about WHY Jesus was born as a baby!  What a gift to see the HOPE that lies beyond the manger!   I even thought as I challenged others to read Mark along with me, that much of it would sound unbe...

A little encouragement for those in the dark places, feeling isolated, boxed in, and hopeless.  I have been in that dark place.  The causes may be different or the same, it doesn't matter.  What matters is that you need hope.  Proverbs 13:2 says, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." I write about what is most near to my heart at any given time.  If you've noticed a theme, it is because it is where I have been living and wrestling.  And for now, my greatest joy in writing is to give an answer for my hope.  1 Peter 3:15 says, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,..." So gently, I share my experience, not as an expert, but as a sojourner.  If darkness resonates with you, know that we are at different places on the journey of darkness, grief, dismay... I'm not one to point to hope u...