Claiming joy

Claiming joy

by | Nov 2, 2022 | Faith, Joy, Obedience

A year ago, I stepped out in faith to write and publish a book. Oh, I had written some before then, but it was intermittent at best.

But last November was a turning point for me. And what a journey it has been. I can’t even count the number of obstacles there have been to get to the point of releasing it.

The joy stealer

Even yesterday, I received news that set me back a bit. As I sat with my head in my hands and tears threatening to overflow, I thought about the theme of my book Grief Unwrapped: Discovering Joy in a Season of Sorrow.

Joy. Would I let the enemy steal my joy? I thought for a second. No, I’m not going to let him steal my joy over this.

Because that is what he wants to do. Like David defeating Goliath, we need to come against Satan in the name of the Lord Almighty.

So, what will I do? I will stand firm in my faith. With Jesus by my side and His name on my lips, I will press on and accomplish the task. He is in control. May His name be exalted. May His name be praised.

A simple request

So with that, I am excited to say all three versions of the book will be available to the world this weekend. The paperback has already been published and is available. The Kindle and hardcover versions will be available Saturday, November 5th. If you would feel led to buy and read it, I would be grateful. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts about it.

Many people have asked how they can help. If you believe it will benefit others, you can help by

  • Writing and posting a review on Amazon or goodreads
  • Telling others about it, especially if you have found nuggets that have helped you
  • Sharing it on your social networks
  • Asking a library to buy it and make it available on their shelves

Thank you

Many have been alongside me as I have grieved. You’ve cried with me; you’ve laughed with me. You’ve met specific needs and you’ve encouraged me in countless ways.

And if I don’t know you personally, I pray that you have received these same blessings and that God has or will give you opportunities to be there for someone else in their grief journey.

I am living proof that God

  • Still works
  • Still cares
  • Still speaks

I am proof that you can experience joy even through trials and loss because of faith in Jesus Christ. I can attest that you can find a deep connection with the God who knows you. My experience proves that your life can be fulfilling again.

You CAN discover joy in your season of sorrow.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19 (NIV)

Used for good

Used for good

by | Oct 27, 2022 | Blessing, Encouragement, Support

My books fell off the delivery truck. 

I could write a complete page of issues, problems and just strange things that have come up as I have prepared to launch Grief Unwrapped: Discovering Joy in a Season of Sorrow.

I ordered books for my Kickstarter backers and to have on hand for the upcoming launch party. 

But I had a call one day from a friend to tell me someone from a few streets over found my book in the road. One lone book.

I had already received a box that was partially open on one end with books missing, so I can only assume that box’s contents somehow fell from the truck.

As issues have surfaced, I have felt battered — like someone was trying to discourage and hinder me in my goal to complete this book process.

Satan himself is the father of lies and has a multitude of ways to influence our thought processes. Words of discouragement. Words to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. From the beginning of my book-writing adventure, I have stopped and started many times, questioning what I believe God was asking me to do.

And now, two weeks before the book release date, my books fell off the truck. Not one, but a second box arrived a couple of days later – repackaged. All the contents inside were battered, smudged and swollen from water damage.

I believe what was meant to discourage, God used for good.

Stand strong and press on

That neighbor who found my book researched and found me, too. Before she did, she read the book. And then she hand-delivered it to my door with words of encouragement that blessed me and gave me new strength to stand strong and press on.

So . . . should you find my book somewhere, remember this story. And let it encourage you to keep moving forward in whatever God has called you to do.

And while you’re at it, thank Jesus for the people he places in your life to encourage you and when needed, even to hold you up.

Let God use for good what Satan wants to use for evil.

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 

 

When Jesus calls

When Jesus calls

by | Oct 21, 2022 | Belief, Blessing, Faith

The blind man’s shout for mercy stopped Jesus in his tracks. Then Jesus told his disciples to call the man.

I love what the disciples said next.

“Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”

The blind man jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

Jesus knew what was on the man’s mind, but he asked, “What do you want me to do for you?”

“I want to see,” he answered.

The blind man was bold. He didn’t want to miss his opportunity so when others tried to silence him, he shouted even more.

 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. Mark 10:52 (NIV)

Jesus by my side

This story reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend who is now with Jesus. It was years ago, but it has always stuck with me.

As she was driving alone, she envisioned Jesus sitting beside her. He asked her these same words. “What can I do for you today?”

My friend, stop for a moment and call out to Him. I assure you; He’s calling for you and that fact alone can lighten your load and cheer you up.

When Jesus calls . . .

  • We can rest assured He knows what’s on our mind. He knows the longing of our soul.
  • We can cheer up because the King of the world wants to do something for us.
  • Our faith plays a role in the outcome.
    • We need to believe He is who He says he is.
    • We need to know that He will do what He says He will do.
    • We need to believe he can heal.
  • When we really encounter Jesus, we want to follow Him.

Oh, how I needed these words today. It has been a week. I’m sure you can relate.

But I am resolved to put my focus on Him – not my environment or my circumstances.

The Bible tells us we have not because we ask not, and we have because we ask. Our next move should be to pray until the answer comes. He welcomes our communication with Him.

Romans 3:20 supports this same message.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

I want my faith to strengthen as I follow Him. I want that for you too. Today, let’s call out boldly, listen and be encouraged as He calls us and receive the blessings He wants to give us.

Life is an adventure

Life is an adventure

by | Oct 14, 2022 | Blessing, Support

It was not quite the adventure I had in mind when we left a rainy Branson, Missouri morning.

On our way to visit the first town mom and dad lived in after they married, we stopped in Joplin, Missouri. There we visited Grand Falls, The Route 66 Mural Park and the Precious Moments Chapel with plans to stay over in Wichita, Kansas. We envisioned eating a nice steak dinner in Wichita, (well except for the one vegan member of our party), and resting before our two-hour trek north to Concordia, Kansas the next day.

About an hour from Wichita, we stopped for gas and a rest break. As soon as I turned off the car, I got a message that my car remote was missing. I didn’t worry immediately, as I thought it had just slipped off the console and I’d just need to find it and get it close enough to the ignition as I had done before.

That didn’t happen. We found only loose change and trash scattered from our four days on the road.

I remembered unlocking the car from a distance at our last stop. But that was as far as my memory went. Evidently, the car will start once without a remote, but you’d better find it because that’s the only chance you get without a remote nearby.

After an hour-long wait at the gas station, OnStar was still unable to locate an Uber or Lyft driver to come to our location and take us to Wichita. We did get a tow truck for the car. And Richard was nice enough to offer us a ride with him; however, dad definitely couldn’t make it up into the truck. And he certainly couldn’t carry all six of us, much less the scooter and a week’s worth of luggage. He suggested a better drop-off location and a closer hotel.

Desperate to get my parents settled into a hotel for the night, I called the local county Sherriff’s office at the suggestion of the nice ladies working at Pete’s convenience store. At first, they turned me down, but at the suggestion of Deputy Taylor Cordell, the Sergeant agreed to let her drive to pick us up in the inmate transport van and take us 40 miles to the next town. Four hours from our initial stop, we gratefully walked into the hotel lobby.

Why did Taylor do it? She said she had been stranded recently and knew how it felt. I believe God sent her our way. She made conversation the entire way, making us feel at ease as well as teasing my boys about the ankle cuffs in the back seat. We even have pictures to prove it.

A lesson in blessing

So why am I sharing this? I kept thinking God must have a lesson from our predicament. Taylor knew how it felt so she wanted to help us.

Can we also stop for a moment to think of situations we’ve been through and how, because we know how that experience feels, we can be a blessing to someone else?

That’s what I wanted to do by writing Grief Unwrapped: Discovering Joy in a Season of Sorrow (launching November 5). And I won’t think twice about being the hands (or wheels) to someone else in need.

I know you’ve been in desperate situations too. You know how it feels to depend completely on someone else to help you get through it.

Take some time today to think of how God has rescued you, and how He’s put people in your life to get you where you need to go.

Do you know someone going through a trial? Think about how you can stand in the gap for that person. It could be through a prayer lifted. It could mean making a visit. It could be providing a meal or even a much-needed ride with a smile on your face and kindness in your heart.

I know why birds sing

I know why birds sing

by | Oct 7, 2022 | Beauty, God, Moments

God is an artist.

And he must love music.

  • He created the birds to sing and praise him
  • His angels sing praises to Him.
  • People worship and sing praises to Him.

I know, I know — scientists say birds sing to sound an alert of a predator, or to snag a mate. But God wanted them to sing for His enjoyment — and ours.

We create things for enjoyment too.

  • A favorite dish or entre’
  • A painting or other work of art
  • A song played
  • A poem written

Creativity. Some people have an overabundance of it. Matthew did. Parker is following in his footsteps with that talent. Garrett’s creativity comes out in his relationships. Connor’s is released through his favorite sport.

Me? I’m still trying to figure that out.

Recognize the wonders of the earth

How can someone recognize the wonders of the earth, yet not believe in the God who created them? We can find God’s beauty no matter where we are. Author Sue Monk Kidd writes it excellently. “Something deep in all of us longs for God’s beauty, and we can find it no matter where we are.”

God’s creation is beautiful. Creation’s beauty points us to Him.

So, where God is Almighty and worthy of our reverence and worship, He also delights in creativity — the tiny bird’s song, the things that are awe-inspiring, things that are beautiful, things that give us pause or make us laugh.

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For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20 (NIV)

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