As you know, here on the blog and generally as I navigate life, I love to speak positivity. It’s my happy place. The reality is, though, life isn’t always fair, kind or happy. Sometimes, there are ways we can juggle bad things or tiptoe around them. Sometimes, there’s no other way but to just plow right through the situation. As …
When Spring Came With Growing Pains (Part Three)
Ahh. Spring. I sense it. Can all but touch it. Last week we hit the upper seventies in my little corner of the Ozarks. Yesterday? We struggled to make it past the freezing mark. Last night? A hard freeze. My poor crabapple trees, laden with fresh, new buds and ready to bloom, may not—at least, this spring. Alas. There’s a …
Hope in the Hard Stuff
“Does it seem more real now?” My eyes lingered on the teacher’s desk. “Sometimes. Other times, I can hardly believe it.” Our son’s hand glided across the row of hardbacks, scooting a few wayward titles back into a neat, organized row. How was it possible that he was still so young, and yet a lifetime had passed? The student, now …
“Easy” is Fun, but It’s The Hard Things That Deliver
I had the opportunity to visit our educator son’s classroom this week. The experience was surreal. Where there was once a little boy, now stood a man. A survivor. The teacher. Our son. Because of spring break, the school where he teaches wasn’t in session so halls were silent and desks were empty. Still… I envisioned young minds as they …
Got a Problem? Here’s the Solution!
Many years ago, our then five-year-old son trudged into the kitchen, “I don’t wanna go back to school.” He dropped his Ninja Turtle backpack on the floor and crossed his tiny arms to emphasize the point. “Mrs. C doesn’t like questions and she doesn’t like teaching kids either.” Surely, he’d misjudged Mrs. C. The teacher we’d just met at Open …
What You Need Today if Life Is Hard Just Now
Greetings! I’m so glad you stopped by! If life is hard just now or you’re a tad at loose ends, then come on in, kick off your shoes, and sit a spell. What you need is a dollop of lovin’ and a dose of encouragement! And you’re in the right place. Today’s post is for YOU. I know. You don’t want to be …
Heart Blisters Will Come
My heart hurts. I have a heart blister. No, that’s not a profound thought or a scholarly witticism or even a nugget of literary genius. It’s not a reference to a physical malady, nor is it an awkward stage, a crisis moment, or a plea for sympathy. It is, to put it simply, a candid summation of a long season. …
Seasoning: It’s Not Just for Chili
(Today I’m continuing to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with my family. This is a favorite of one of my previous posts. I pray your day is blessed!) ****** I think in life we all experience difficulties, hardships, and trials from time to time. Some folks may endure these struggles temporarily. For others, the season of suffering may seem never-ending. (I’ve …
Seasoning. It's Not Just for Chili.
I think in life we all experience difficulties, hardships, and trials from time to time. Some folks may endure these struggles temporarily. For others, the season of suffering may seem never-ending. (I’ve talked about this in my earlier posts Comfort During Trials and Mountaintops.) As writers, we’re deeply in tune to these times of “seasoning.” These experiences mature us–not only as individuals, …
Comfort During Trials
When people are touched by heartache, why is it that sometimes we’re at a loss for words? Is it because we don’t care? (I’m sure that’s not true.) Can’t empathize? (Perhaps not, but we can try.) Bogged down in complacency? (Possibly, because our own lives still go on.) I think, also, it must be because we are truly in awe of the circumstances; sometimes, there …