Simplifying… me

Leaving.
We all leave at some point in our lives.
We leave a job. We leave a career. We leave a home. We leave a school. We leave an activity. We leave a group. We leave a grade level. We leave an identity.
It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do…eventually, we all leave.
I made a [...]

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I really, really hate to admit this, but there have been times when people get under my skin. Please forgive me. But it is true.
I get irritated, frustrated and annoyed. Bent out of shape, angry and drained.  Offended and hurt, perplexed by their behavior. It festers deep under the skin like an itch that can’t [...]

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

Looking out of the kitchen window I see gray skies. The springtime rain is more of a mist falling from [...]

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Grieving is a funny thing.
It’s amazing how you can be rolling along, smelling roses and such, and all of a sudden…BAM…it hits you. It comes out of nowhere, this longing for the old normal, and how unsteady you feel in the new normal. Maybe it’s a conversation with a friend or colleague, or maybe you’re [...]

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“…and after you have done everything, to stand…stand firm…” Ephesians 6
It’s never easy, is it?
The curveballs that come our way, the challenging people we engage with on a regular basis, the quick swipe through our social media accounts reminding us that we missed out on something, or we are obviously not as happy and fulfilled [...]

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I am here again,
Needing your grace again,
Pouring out my heart again,
You have proven faithful again.
I tried again,
To go my own way again,
And you drew me back again,
Your mercy sustains again.
I come weary again,
God, I’m empty and tired again,
I’m reaching for you again,
You hold me in grace again.
So desperate again,
My soul aches for your Word again,
My [...]

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We strive. We push. We plan. We pursue. Through blood, sweat and tears we power on to meet our goals, fix our problems and cling to control.
In our striving, pushing, planning and pursuing, we oftentimes find ourselves empty, weary, angry and spent.
We gained, but we also lost.
Ambition will eventually fade into either self-reliance and pride, [...]

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“Our significance is measured by the size of the cause that we live for and the price we are willing to pay to accomplish it.” – John York
Two years ago I felt a little nudge. Not just me, but my husband, Joel, as well. It was subtle at first – like someone tapping on my [...]

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Quiet Time (1994)
An early morning prayer
A song to the sky
My heart lays before you
The Spirit draws nigh
Adoration and music
Praise abounds from my soul
I fall in love with my Savior
His touch makes me whole
I whisper His name
The heavens rejoice
A new language unfolds
Ringing clear from my voice
In the name of the Father
I bow to the knee
I surrender with promise
My [...]

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“A divine romance exists between the broken and their Creator.” - Embracing Brokenness, by Alan Nelson

Before God can do great things through us, he must do great things in us. And oftentimes this work comes with a price.
Brokenness.
We see brokenness as failure, God sees greatness.
We see brokenness as the end, God sees it as a beginning; [...]

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