There’s no sugar-coating it. This is a different Easter. An historical Easter, in fact. But then again…isn’t every Easter “historical”? Christ defeated death on the cross and rose from an earthly grave. Hallelujah! Sunday, as we celebrate Christ’s defeat over the grave, instead of rejoicing together in a church building, we’ll rejoice, in spirit, in our homes. For many, Easter …
Happy Easter Blessings
As Holy Week draws to a close, I wanted to pause for a moment and consider this poignant time of tragedy and triumph. For some, the holiday means little more than Easter eggs, baskets, and goodies. For Christians, we understand that’s surface stuff—fun and fluff secondary to the real celebration. When our kids were little, each received an Easter basket, though we …
The Best Thing About New Seasons
After the holiday season, the next few months can seem like an endless dose of blah. There’s the Christmas high, then the post-Christmas afterglow. Around late January, though, many of us start counting the days until spring. Winter is just not our friend. Now, if you’re one of those folks who favors colder weather, fuzzy sweaters, and gray, cloudy days—my apologies. This Ozarks …
Yes. You CAN Have a Nicer, Gentler Holiday Season.
Is it just me or have the naysayers run amok? Granted, the holiday season is a tough time for many. Job loss. Illness. Hardship. The list is wide and far-reaching. And let me just say—today’s thoughts are not in any way meant to diminish terrible circumstances or life’s realities. For those touched by sadness and upheaval, may we always uplift …
Thanksgiving Gratitude: 10 Goodies to Make You Smile
Ahh… Thanksgiving. The time of year when scents of roast turkey and pumpkin pie beckon. The season we give thanks and express gratitude for blessings and good things. As a child, I’m pretty sure the bounty enthralled more than other blessings. When we’re kids, it’s difficult to see beyond immediate gratification, especially, when tantalizing aromas entice and appeal. As we …
Revisiting Hope
Have you ever experienced those moments you knew you’d remember with vivid clarity? Maybe it’s your wedding day. Your children’s births. A family celebration or a special holiday. Maybe, though, it’s more specific than that. Maybe it’s that sixty-second encounter, a fleeting impression, or a few fractured seconds in your twenty-four hour day. Perhaps, it’s that one thing—the thing that …
Success… Is It Too Late?
There comes a point in life, maybe during a career crisis or a season of self-reflection, our confidence dips. Our belief wilts. Is it too late? Has my chance already come and gone? Has the moment of opportunity slipped past, despite my desire to move forward? For the baby boomer generation, advancing years are a reality. There’s no denying the …
Courage to Hang Tough
Sometimes, in light of world events, we find it necessary to pause—to step back from the craziness of evil and process the senselessness of it all. Some people rail and bemoan injustice while others seek solitude and retreat to their quiet places. Because we’re human, each of us grieves differently. We act and react in ways that are, perhaps, inherent to our …
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 …
My Top 10 Relaxing Blog Posts
Today as we gear down for the weekend, I thought it might be fun to share my Top 10 Relaxing Blog posts. I’ve included some nuggets of encouragement, as well as thoughts to coax a smile and a pleasant memory or two. If you like something you read, I hope you’ll pass along to others. Enjoy and have a great …