Abba's Girl

Ever wake up and feel like you are in a fog? I did today. My first thought was: Maybe this is a sign from God I should go back to bed. (I am not a morning person.) I threw a load of laundry into the dryer, made coffee, and went back to bed. The dog got in bed and snuggled under the covers, he seemed pleased with my decision. (He's still under the covers over an hour later.) As I sipped coffee and thought about my friends who are in need of much prayer as well as the situations in the world which also require much prayer, I decided going back to sleep was not an option. I need to remember this is a day the Lord has made and rejoice and be glad in it. I find on mornings like this it is a good idea to read uplifting passages in the Bible. One of my favorites is Matthew 5: Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of...

After my brother-in-law's funeral, we gathered in the fellowship hall of his church. Family caught up with one another. I had a short visit with someone I'd not seen in almost 10 years. It was a little awkward as we tried to converse. It seemed I was getting on her nerves and decided it was time to shut my mouth. There were several people at our table who could carry the conversation without my input. The next day I said goodbye to my dear, friend Patty. After her service, I reflected on the plans Patty & I had over the last 2 years. Many of the plans never came to pass because she was ill, but some did and I treasure the time we had together. My brother-in-law and I had a few plans that fizzled because of one thing or another. I found time 2 days in a row to attend funerals, but how often in life have I not made time for family? I want to make sure I make time to spend with family I rarely see. So it begins this December, several of us are going to meet at a restaura...

I am in one of those seasons of life in which I feel like I am standing on the Texas shoreline watching as very large waves crash over my friends and loved ones. We all have them. In the last 2 weeks one of my best friends died, my brother-in-law died, and suddenly a loved one is declining at a rapid pace due to Alzheimer's. My friend fought valiantly against cancer for 8 years, my brother-in-law fought bravely for 13 years, and my loved one has been fighting Alzheimer's for 11 years. Sometimes I think it would be nice to stuff down the fatigue, grief, and sorrow but I know it doesn't work and only festers when you bottle it up inside. The world offers a myriad of things to turn to when a person is emotional; however I am choosing to turn to my Lord and Savior and ask Him to help me in my sorrow. I encourage anyone in a difficult season to keep your eyes focused on the Lord. Stay in the Word and in prayer. Ask your friends to pray for you. I part with words of hope...

Sometimes there are friends who are such a blessing to us it we cannot imagine life without them. Patty was one such person in my life. For years we knew who each other were but our paths never crossed...until we began ministry training for a program called Community of Hope through the St. Luke's Hospital System. After being "locked" in a room each Sunday for 3 1/2 hours for 14 weeks - we got to know each other VERY well! I treasure the years she was in my life. I hope to remember her smiling face and loving words the rest of my life. We shared life's ups and downs from very serious matters to the sublime. Her mother-in-law was a very unique woman. When anyone visited her mother-in-law, we called it going to the Big House. One Christmas Eve, I gave her a beautiful cross taped to a miniature bottle of wine with a card saying to keep the wine in her purse in case of emergency at the Big House. She laughed so hard, her husband was too stunned to react since I handed...