Category: Mercy

  • November, 2022 Newsletter

    Grateful & Thankful ! 🙂

    Darlene Larson & Teresa Lasher with her new book!

    I’m so grateful this season for many things. As you can see from our smiling faces, I’m privileged to know a famous author and life coach, Darlene Larson. Her name, along with others, is listed on the acknowledgement page in the front of my new book, The Child becomes The Parent: Coping with Grief.

    Listen to what Darlene has to say:

    “About two years ago, I had the honor and joy of coaching Teresa Lasher (thank you, Teresa). A slice of her and her father’s story was talked about. It grabbed my heart. Then COVID steam rolled in and more of her story with her father unfolded. She published her book this fall and it covers MUCH in a loaded 50 page book about her father and her journey.”

    We continue as friends and write together in community. What are you thankful for today?

    Who would choose to walk a path of loss and grief? This path became Teresa Lasher’s story as caregiver to her elderly father. She wrestled with helplessness and exhaustion. Fighting for his physical, emotional, mental well-being and safety, he continued to slip further away during the Covid pandemic mandated isolation.

    Desperately needing wisdom and preparation for existing and unforeseen battles, Teresa had to learn coping strategies. Granting herself permission to take time off, she often escaped outdoors to write and muse. She chose to exercise forgiveness where needed. When dealing with fear, doubt, and grief, God sent people who showed kindness at just the right time. In Teresa’s story of incredible hope and insight, she learns there are unexpected blessings in the midst of her grief journey.

    If you’d like a copy for yourself, as a gift, or to be used in a group setting, local copies can be obtained through Kregel Parable Bookstore or online.

    What folks are saying about the new book:

    • This is a very well written book, straight from the heart. It’s very easy to read and very relatable, having also gone through the slow loss of a parent as they struggled with dementia…”
    • This book was well written and easy to read. Teresa shared a very personal, difficult journey. It was a great encouragement to me, and showed God’s faithfulness each step of the way. Highly recommend!

    Also available is my 90-day count your blessings & live life in the present devotional book, Life is: Good, Fragile, and Precious—Loving yourself so you can love others. What others are saying:

    • “A story of bravery in the midst of uncertainty…an inspiring and truth told book for those that are walking through a fearful and pain filled health diagnosis.”
    • “Teresa Lasher’s book has been written not only to tell her story of surviving a brain tumor but to give each of us hope and encouragement as we find our way through each day. It inspires us to live our lives to the fullest by learning to love ourselves so we in turn can love others.”
    • “This is a carefully crafted book that step by step helps readers look in the mirror and assess their own life journeys – especially when those tumultuous moments arise.”
  • Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

    Birthday Cake for Jesus
    Reading Christmas Story together

    MERRY, MERRY CHRISTMAS and Blessings from our home to yours,
    from Steve and Teresa and Skipper too

    Candles lit one by one
    Sacred moments
    Put aside exterior noise and commercial trappings
    Sit down to view birthday cake for Jesus
    One gold candle for the One to be crowned King.

    Focus as family take turns reading out loud verse by verse
    Oldest to youngest join in reciting the Christmas Story – the
    Birth announcement declared in Luke 2
    Rest of the world, life, put on hold
    Sets us back over 2,000 years ago to Bethlehem, the town of David in Judea.

    The angel speaks to Mary,
    Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.
    You will be with child and give birth to a son,
    And you are to give him the name Jesus.
    He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
    The LORD God will give him the throne of his father David,
    And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever;
    His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:29-33)

    Let these sacred words sink in
    Find a place to rest, take hold, germinate, and flourish
    We sing together: “Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You, dear Jesus.”
    Thank you for coming to earth.
    Thank you for saving my soul and saving the world.

    Thoughts to ponder – think back to how it must have felt for:
    Zechariah and Elizabeth
    Mary and Joseph
    Shepherds watch their flock by night
    Simeon, the Temple priest
    Anna, prophetess, who never left the temple awaiting the Savior

    Emotions:
    Joy, fear, doubt, and elation
    Surprise, confirmation, thankfulness, and devotion
    Trust, praising God in the Highest, brokenness, and pain
    Amazement and relief
    Just to name a few

    ***

  • FootPrints

    Gull Foot Prints in Sand

    We all leave footprints. Heavier prints in mud or wet areas. Lighter, fainter ones in sand or drier surfaces. Some take time to disappear. Other footprints, such as those created in sand, take merely a wave and they’re gone for eternity.

    While etched on whatever surface they land on, they make an impression. Question is: will it be a good, bad, or neutral impression?

    Will people remember me and you as being a positive encourager? Or, a Debbie-Downer, talk about herself and her life, all the time?

    Do you see signs of pride or humility? Helpfulness or selfishness? I LOVE being around and talking to folks who don’t have to be center stage. Someone who shows they care by listening and not filling in all the blanks for me. (I’ll admit that I struggle with this concept. My brain tends to go forward and search for the next thing I plan to say.)

    I attended an event where the speaker had the privilege of working with Mr. Rogers, host and producer of the popular kid’s television show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Earlier in life Fred Rogers studied for a pastoral ministry, but decided on a different career path. The lack of wholesome, educational television for our youth caused him to do something about what bothered him. He chose to devote his life’s work to creating wholesome, educational television programs for kids. What an impressive legacy he left behind!

    I learned from this event that everyone who came in contact with Mr. Rogers felt special. Young or old, able bodied, mentally or physically challenged, they were #1 in his book. He zeroed in on that one person—whomever was in front of him at that moment in time. Rogers possessed a gift. You felt you were the only one on Planet Earth. You mattered. Your thoughts, fears, dreams counted. Top Priority! Was he perfect? Of course not, and he’d be the first to admit his imperfections.

    At the symposium, the speaker highlighted a trailer scene where Mr. Rogers struggles to pitch a tent. He tried and tried to set the tent up properly. It turned out all wrong. The audience laughs and Rogers tries again to set it up, but it still doesn’t work. Rogers laughs along with the audience, admits defeat, and asks for help. He then patiently moves on to something else.

    We miss you, Mr. Rogers! Your positive influence, drive, concern for humankind will not be forgotten.

    He left a footprint wherever he walked, whenever he spoke. I came away from the event inspired and motivated to do better, be a better person, and be attentive to my neighbor. My neighbor is whomever God places on my path. Encourage, pray for, brighten the way for those in my sphere of influence.

    • What kind of footprint or mark do you want to leave for the ones you love?
    • Name some ways you plan to leave those kinds of footprints.

    ###

  • Rush

    5-Minute Friday

    the word’s: RUSH. Go …

    RUSH here. Rush there. RUSH everywhere. Never felt more aware of the term RUSH than during this month of the year. December should conjure up scenes of happiness, joy, peace, but it really doesn’t at least not for me. I need to work on this. God and I need to work on this together. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

    My life coach, Darlene, suggests: Simplify Christmas. Simplify Life. I try to cram too much in too small of a space. Results: sorrow, unrest, grief, regrets, and even anger. I’m guessing you feel the same way too. This is no way to live a life. Particularly in this season of love, grace and mercy. A season that our Heavenly Father chose to send His only son to come to earth, be born in a lowly manager, live and serve among humankind, die a horrible death on a cross for you & me. This month of all months should be a grateful, kind, and looked forward to (not dreaded) event of the entire year!

    Lord, guide me/us to what needs to be done, what can wait/be deleted, and what is the best for my life, my reader’s, and their loved ones lives too.

    We love you, Lord Jesus.

    This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.  Join me and others as we reflect on, and write about one word each week for only 5 minutes.

  • Supply and Demand

    And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:19.     

    Do I really believe that He will supply all my needs; some of my needs; a few of my needs? Which is it? There’s a huge difference between meeting/supplying all, some, or just a few of my needs. Where do you stand in this conundrum?

    Do I say I believe and then continue on in my own way operating within my own agenda? Seems to me if I believe those words in Philippians 4:19 that peace and rest would be the result. Worry, distress, discord, and doubt would exist far, far away from me.

    I recently attended Breathe Christian Writers Conference for the first time. The conference had been on my radar screen for years, but the opportunity didn’t present itself until this year. It took a short time upon entering the doors to KNOW that I was in the right place at the right time. His time; His place; with encouraging like-minded people surrounding me. A haven and sanctuary awaited me. My mind, body, and soul became infused with inspiration, motivation, information, and a burning desire to write my story. Even if my story is messy, unorganized, unorthodox—it is My Story. The story God gave me and expects me to share. You see, I am witness to the fact that He does meet all my/your needs. He prompted me to follow through with registration, planning, and showing up. You show up and God will supply the rest. I can vouch for that!

    His storehouse appears to be plentiful. No shortage of positive items to dish out such as grace, peace, and mercy. I need only ask and in asking believe the riches will be mine.

    Thoughts to ponder; questions to consider:

    • How about you? What needs do you have in your life right now?
    • Do you believe that God can supply those desires for you? If so, what thoughts and prayers need to be on your lips and in your heart?

    *****

  • Grip of Despair

    When despair wraps its
    Ugly tentacles around my shoulders.
    Squeezes, squeezes, then
    Squeezes some more.      

    Intense pressure weighs upon my heart.
    Impending doom draws nigh.
    Hope dashed—shroud of darkness envelopes.
    Guard my heart. But, how?
    Decisions made—I have no control.

    Acknowledge crushed dreams.
    Reject despair.
    Yet despair returns full force;
    Multiplied with mighty power.
    No resolve in sight.

    Then I hear a faint whisper,
    Tell it to Jesus.
    Tell it to Jesus.
    There’s no other such a friend or brother,
    Tell it to Jesus alone.

    *****

  • Turbulent forecast ahead?

    Dark, ominous sky overhead         
    Warns of rain and inclement weather.
    Tempest clouds
    Speak of turbulent forecast.
    Yet, we are docked safe and secure
    Naught to worry or fear.

    Even though outside the
    Weather is frightful, I know
    He has this whole world in His hands.
    Deep within my soul
    I can truly say,
    It is well with my soul.      

     

     

     

     

    The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit, John 3:8.

    *****

     

  • Sacrifice for You and for Me

    Thoughts while sitting on the Amphitheater steps of the Unknown Soldier Tomb:

    Oh, the tears, the blood shed
    Represented here in this place.      
    Row after Row after Row
    White tombstones
    Representing sons, fathers, uncles.
    Real live people.
    Real live losses.

    Days gone by.
    Ancestors, family, friends.
    What sacrifices!
    All to secure my freedom and yours.
    Words cannot describe
    The debt we owe
    To the many who’ve gone on before.

    I am humbled, speechless
    Driven to my knees.
    My only response
    Is Thank You.
    And then the tears flow.

  • Come to Me

    Come To Me                     

    Are you weary?
    Burdened beyond words?
    Rest is found in Him.
    In Him alone.
    Freely, generously without question.

    I can learn from Him.
    He is my Teacher; I am the student;
    ever learning,
    ever failing,
    then ever learning some more.

    He is gentle,
    humble in heart.
    Sweet, blessed, essential
    Rest is found in Him.
    He can satisfy my longing soul
    and fill an empty heart.

    thoughts taken from Matthew 11:28-29

    *****

  • Ready for Adventure?

    Today is day #28 of the Great Loop adventure. And, yes it truly has been an adventure. We’ve seen landscapes, waterways, and sunrises not seen before. Met new Looper people we would never have crossed passed with in our regular, daily life.  Learned to go without embracing the basics of life.                                              img_20160927_140010943_hdr-1

    Let’s stop right here and look up the definition for the word adventure. Here’s what I found for the word adventure:

    • Escapade
    • Quest
    • Journey
    • Exploration
    • Undertaking
    • Exciting activity

    Okay, I am kind of weird. I admit that, but keep tracking with me. I then went on to look up the word exciting. Here’s where the road may diverge for you as it did for me. Here’s a few definitions for the word exciting:

    • Thrilling
    • Exhilarating
    • Stirring
    • Stimulating
    • Electrifying
    • Inciting

    That’s enough. I have felt all of those emotions and I haven’t even been on this trip for a month yet. What does that say about the trip? What does that say about me? I am not sure, but I’ll let you fill in the blanks. I’m just putting it out there for anyone else anticipating or planning such an adventure. It doesn’t even have to be the exact type of adventure we are involved with. When I think about the word electrifying, it does not bring up a positive connotation. Certainly not dull or boring, I’ll give you that much. More like scared to the point of wishing I were anywhere else but standing in my own shoes. Admittedly, I have felt that. Like when we said good-bye (don’t like that word, so I say: see you later) to my daughter and my friends. Those see you later words are so hard to say even though I know it’s only for a year, or in some cases, months until I see their smiling faces and hear their precious voices in person.

    I go through this exercise to share with you my emotions hoping you, too, can relate. Even a simple day’s emotions can range from peace to utter chaos within a short period of time. From tears of sorrow and disappointment to tears of joy. Sometimes without any warning.

    Then God gives me a verse to ponder. To hold onto and call my own: Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence . This is a poignant reminder that He is approachable. He’s not a wizard that sits with a magic wand in never-never land occasionally swooping down to check on his created ones. The book of Hebrews describes this throne with the word grace (unmerited favor, mercy, or kindness). I like the thought of my Creator being available and that He is described with mercy and kindness. The verse goes on further to add that I can approach boldly and in confidence. I need not worry or fret; He’s got my whole life under control and in His competent hands—the Great High Priest.

    What do I take away from this?

    1. Approaching God and His throne is not reserved for nobility
    2. No holding back; no reservations
    3. He’s there for me anytime day or night
    4. God may not take me out of the storm/trial, but He’ll ride through with me

    God already knows all, so why do I hesitate to share my innermost feelings with Him?
    Is there a deep fear you’ve been holding to? One you hesitate to share with anyone?

    Reminds me of a tune I sang as a young girl called, Tell it to Jesus alone (words by Edmund S. Lorenz)

    Are you weary, are you heavy hearted?
    Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus
    Are you grieving over joys departed?
    Tell it to Jesus alone

    Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus
    He is a friend that’s well known
    You’ve no other such a friend or brother,
    Tell it to Jesus alone

    Do you fear the gathering clouds of sorrow?
    Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus
    Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
    Tell it to Jesus alone