Category: Life is Precious (soul)

  • 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

      ***

    • 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. 

      *****

    • Touch

       

      Touch of a baby’s skin                                                  
      Touch and pet a cuddly puppy
      Flower’s soft petals
      Spring tree buds

      Heartfelt, warm hugs
      Wet grandchild kisses
      Connected – Respected – Loved
      Desiring human touch
      Natural; longed for
      Affirmation of love, desire, and presence

      Do you love me?
      Do you care?
      Do you notice?

      One whom I know always loves, always cares. He proclaims, “do not fear, for I am with you. Do  not be dismayed. I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand,” Isaiah 41:10.

      His touch is sufficient.

      *****

      Each week, I join Kate’s Five Minute Friday link – [P.S. I’m #42; page 2].  The rules remain the same, each week write for five minutes, using the prompt  Kate provides, no editing, no overthinking it, just write raw then link up to her blog.

       

    • 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.

       

    • Loved

      Loved

      This week’s Five Minute Friday writing prompt is: LOVED

    • 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.

      *****

    • Breathing in His Grace

      Swan Creek anchorage by Rock Hall, Maryland

      All is calm.
      All is still.                                             Fish jump occasionally.
      Blue Heron glides overhead.
      Subtle creek ripples
      Gently past our vessel
      Sanctuary – tucked away snugly
      Within a protected cove.

      Take a few deep breaths
      Breathe in His grace and 
      Breathe out His praise  *
      Breeze cooling as sun sets
      Slowly behind pine tree line.
      Another day draws to a close
      Opportunity to thank the One
      Who made all things possible.

      Picture taken at Swan Creek at anchor, Rock Hall Maryland

      • Matt Redman – Your Grace Finds Me! 

    • 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!