Category: Writing

  • How much time do you spend worrying?

    If you’re like me, you spend a fair amount of the day worrying. Especially during these uncertain times in the middle of a pandemic in an election year!

    On day two of the writers’ conference, I became feverish and sick which landed me in bed wrapped in blankets. My caring roommate, Noreen, attended to me bringing what food and drink I could handle. She even offered to drive me home if I wanted to go. I chose to remain at the conference in hopes the bug would pass quickly. Deferring her own needs and health, she compassionately cared for me. Thankfully, I recovered and was able to enjoy the remainder of the conference.

    When I regained strength, I marched into the conference with my head held high expecting God to disclose His vision and great truths. My desire is to carry on with His mission of writing through me. Regardless of anything and everything going on in my life, I just needed to be at the conference. I needed to let it all go and be present here and now.

    Maybe you or a loved one has or is experiencing the flu or COVID-19. Your body is worn out, dragged down, and tired all over. Try and take this time to rest and relax your physical and emotional muscles. Use this time to reflect on your blessings.

    “If you worry about what might be, and wonder what might have been, you will ignore what is,” unknown

    • In your spare time, what do you immediately turn to first … your computer, social media blitzes, news on the television, your Bible, devotional, etc.?
    • When did you last spend time engaged in a productive, positive activity? What did you do?

    Prayer of Encouragement: 

    Dear God, thank you for putting guardian angels in my life to care for me. I know You are in control of my life even though the entire world seems to be spinning out of control. Help me put aside issues which might cause me to forget You and concentrate on what You’ve prepared for me. I willingly accept the path You’ve charted in my life. Whatever the outcome, I choose to praise You. Amen.

    ** excerpt taken from Life is: Good, Fragile, Precious—Loving yourself so you can love others book; Day #20.  

    “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” —Luke 12:22–26. 

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  • Don’t Give Up

    Needing some me-time, I traveled to my sanctuary place near the water and pen these words:

    I go to my Sanctuary
    Quiet reigns
    Except for quacking geese
    Nearby culinary smells of
    Freshly baked bread
    American flag flutters over the boat stern
    A solitary sailboat with jib hoisted
    Moves slowly across the lake
    Peace prevails without
    From within, my spirit begins to calm

    There are no guarantees for a happy or healthy life. Even or especially in the middle of this all-encompassing COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a verse that’s meaningful to me. I hope it is for you too.

    The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged – Deuteronomy 31:8.

    He tells us not to be afraid or discouraged. I have to admit that I’ve been both throughout most of this past year. Even today I wrestle with fear, anxiety, and doubt. I feel jittery, tense, wanting to be someplace else. If I can keep the above words in the forefront of my mind, they’ll give me calm assurance. Confidence. Trust in the One who’s got this whole mess under control. He knows the beginning from the end.

    He will not abandon me or you in the middle of a crisis or afterwards. Just knowing He is there beside me each step of the way causes my mind and heart to feel at peace.

    When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn,” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

    *When’s the last time you felt unable to focus because of anxiety and worry? What’s it like for you?

    *What are you fearful or discouraged about right now? How can you get past those negative thoughts?

    *****

  • Place

    Trying to find my place in this whole big world. I feel I’ve been trying to do this my entire life. Where is my rightful place? From the beginning, I was the oldest of three siblings. My younger sister came two and a half months later; then my brother years later. I don’t remember a time when it was just me. Then I married young, as a teenager, not long after graduating from high school. I went from under my dad’s wing to under my husband’s wing.

    Children came quickly. I learned I was again pregnant when our first delightful baby boy was only 3 months old. Shocker of shockers! But then our smiley, lovable daughter came to us 9 months later.

    Caring for two little ones took up the majority of my time. When they became school age, I researched for a long time trying to discern God’s will. We chose a combination of parochial and public schooling. When homeschooling began to become more well known, I chose to be a home school teacher to first our ADHD child, and then later to our daughter.

    Now both children are out of the house—empty nesters. At first, I was thrilled to think of no more chauffeuring back and forth, fees for various events, and out of my hands now. But that’s not true. Once a mother; always a mother! Then came precious grandchildren. So now, I add long-distance Nana under my titles. Which I love being a Nana, but hate the long-distance part of the equation. I like the saying: Grandparenting is a chance to make right the mistakes you made with your own kids.

    Daughter, sister, wife, mom, homeschool teacher, coach, referee, driver, mother of the groom, writer, Nana. Now back to just wife, writer. Where is my place now? I feel displaced and exhausted. With all the roles, I’ve been handed in the past, where do I fit in now? My energy level and zeal has waned.

    Life seems to happen to me and there’s precious little time for doing what I’d like to do—what I feel I was called to do years ago. To write another book sounds like a monumental task. Yet, I feel the story is in me. The story needs to be told for further generations, don’t you think?

    God planted the story within me along this journey called life. To not tell the story would be wrong. Tell my children and grandchildren what God has been teaching me along the way. Hoping they will excel and not make the same mistakes I did growing up. Maybe this is my place now.

    As I think of other family relations, Timothy was a much better person and follower of the Lord because of his grandmother and mother. Paul (an apostle in the Bible) tells us in the first chapter of 2nd Timothy:

    “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.”

    *****

    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.

     

  • Go and TELL

    Today my Five Minute Free Writing prompt is: TELL     apples

    Go and TELL. What is it that I need to TELL? Who do I need to TELL? Those are questions that need to be answered before I can go and TELL. I have within me Good News. Good News about the One who created me, died for me, and rose again. I can TELL of His awesomeness. His self-sacrificial entire life while here on earth and beyond. When I keep the secret to myself, there are many who remain untold, clueless, and without hope. I don’t want to be a person who withholds information because I’m too busy or afraid of what others may think of me should I share with them the hope that lies within me.

    As I think forward, who in my life remains untold? Who within my reach does not know of this free gift offered by the Creator of the Universe? Jesus, John the Baptist who came before Him, His disciples, etc., all were bold in declaring the Gospel. If they can be a witness, so can you and I (Mark 1).

    Speak to me Lord. As I walk this path, who did you put in my path that needs to hear about You today? Here I am, Lord, send me.

    Thoughts to ponder; questions to consider:

    • Where should I go today?
    • Whom would You have me speak to, be a witness to this day?

    *****

  • There’s No Place Like Home

    There’s No Place Like Home                                                                                                                  

    Spring sprung while we were away.                       Red Dogwood at Home
    Jonquils pop tiny yellow & white heads.
    Trillium burst forth in uniform whites.
    Purplish buds appear from Red Bud tree.
    Pink-red colored Dogwood blossoms
    Surge out alive and well.

    To think I would have missed
    This grand display
    Had I not traveled this way!
    Iris whites shoot forth.
    Leafy rose leaves waking up.
    Assorted green tree buds say hello.
    Grass blades stand tall & proud.

    I’m so thankful for this chance     Trillum at Home
    To re-acquaint myself with
    My blessings I oft
    Forget amidst day-to-day routine.

    All shout Happy Spring
    Glad you are here now!

    Daffodils at Home

    Iris at home

  • Water Therapy

    beach at Wrightsville Beach Atlantic
    Atlantic Ocean – Wrightsville Beach

    Ocean waves thunder & roll
    Crashing unrepentant against the shore
    Greenish-blue water with froth on top
    Wind blasts sand on my skin
    Children chase seagulls
    Birds hover overhead
    Carried along with the breeze
    People play … enjoying life
    Others rest after a hectic week
    Some immersed in their favorite read
    Carefree feeling
    Place to unwind
    Absorb sun’s rays
    To just be!

    I stoop low
    Spying a smooth peculiar shell
    Purple hued edges
    Catch my eye
    I gather grains of polished sand
    As they trickle past my fingertips

    Praying
    May the wind smooth and polish
    My rough and jagged edges
    May I be beautiful and useful
    In Your sight
    For Your glory!

  • Pot of Gold

    Recently I had the opportunity to sit at a book signing table with another talented writer, Kerry McAvoy and a dear friend, Vicki. Just like in past signings, I am amazed at the similarity of people who cross our paths (or stop at our table). We received words of affirmation, shared stories, and even received hugs from total strangers. Connectedness.   Womens Expo Book SigningRelational. Each of us has a story to tell; some put the words down on paper, others tell their story with just the words from their mouth. Either way, the story deserves to be told. Told to the current generation and then the next generation will become a part of the original whole.

    In conferences I’ve heard that if you intend to go into the writing business to make tons of money, you’d better chose a different vocation because that probably won’t happen. But then again, maybe those people weren’t counting new friendships, words of thanks and praise. Today my gifts equaled much more than money can buy. Like finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Thank you all for the vital part you play in shaping my world which causes me to thank my Creator. The one who gifted me with insight, courage, and the talent and motivation to write my story.

    *****

  • do not merely live life to survive …

    “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style,” Maya Angelou

  • Teachable Spirit

    ‘Seek My face with a teachable spirit. Come into My presence with thanksgiving, desiring to be transformed’—Jesus Calling. Sarah Young mentions further, “I want you to be all Mine … I gave everything for you … hold back nothing from Me.”   Book Cover Template Life is Good v2

    I wonder just how much I hold back. He desires all of me, but oftentimes I cling to my rights, my will, my desires. Do you find yourself doing the same? When I hold back little things such as choices and priorities, I lose on a much larger scale. Reminds me of a favorite quote of mine, Let go and let God.

    Now that my first book is FINALLY out there, can I ease up? I’m told no by the experts. Even though the work was long and sometimes difficult, my journey (or at least the next chapter) has just begun. Now comes the marketing and promotional end of publishing: book signings, talks, interviews (check out interview with Jan Holst from MLive) , social media posts, etc.,

    I am so very thankful for all my angel helpers along the way, but I still cannot do this alone. Engaging others will serve to further a mission and purpose for writing my grace story. So I now seek His face with a teachable spirit. Not a spirit of knowing-it-all or pretending to have my life all together. Such is the contrary! I need my Heavenly Father and a team EVEN MORE NOW. Transform me into a useful vessel. Useful for Your service, Your plan, and purpose. Keep me grounded in Scripture by sharing my grace story and showing others that Life is truly Good, Fragile, and Precious!     

    • What ways can you exhibit a teachable spirit?
    • Is there some area of your life you are holding back from God? If so, name it.
    • Can you place three items on your thankful list today?

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  • Birthing a “baby”

    I’ve heard it said that writing and releasing a book is somewhat akin to birthing a baby. Now that I’m on the other side of that equation, I agree.   Book Cover Template Life is Good v2

    Life is: Good, Fragile, Precious just released to the public this week, and I find myself with mixed emotions. Mostly joy and elation, but there’s also that tinge of fear and anxiety. What if my readers do not like it? What if they don’t understand what lies between the pages? Worse yet, what if no one reads the words?

    No, I cannot allow the enemy’s words to ring louder than my Father’s gentle nudging. I remind myself that I was ready to give up on this project years ago, but then … He came through. Again.

    I set out a type of fleece with one last effort to attract a publisher’s attention. It was at a writer’s conference in Muskegon I’d attended for years. This year they sponsored a contest. I’m a sucker for contests and freebies. Okay, God, I will do the work, but if nothing comes from this last effort, I’m finished!  I decided, what did I have to lose? I put together a painstakedly created book proposal along with the first three chapters of Life is: Good, Fragile, Precious (only that wasn’t the title I used then). You can imagine my ecstatic joy and surprise when my name was announced as a winner at the tail end of the conference.

    I cannot give up now. Too much prayer, toil, and time has gone into the making of this piece of hope. My grace story from the viewpoint of a brain surgery survivor needs to be told. I hope you chose to read my story of seeking balance in this crazy-mixed up world. Thank you, God, and my loyal supporters for not giving up on me.

    p.s. my book can be found on Amazon.com. My first book signing will be on Saturday, June 4 at Rockford City Hall parking lot, 10- 1:00 p.m. Love to see you there in person!

    *****