Category: Self-help/Encouragement
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The Face of God in Every Place
The sage replied, “You must remember that when you look upon each other, you are seeing the face of God.” I once read a story about a ruined town, heavy with resentment, its people withdrawn and distrustful. Hatred and conflicts among people prevailed. Cooperation had vanished, and the town was crumbling. One resident, desperate for…
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Lost in the Woods: A Journey of Self-Discovery
The Forbidden Woods As a kid, my mom cautioned me not to wander into the woods alone. Unfortunately, I wasn’t always known to be the most obedient child. Curiosity got the better of me and I decided a fun romp in the woods was just what I needed. We lived at the foothills of White…
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Finding Awe in Ordinary Moments
“Pay attention to what you pay attention to.” ~Amy Krouse Rosenthal My pursuit of new skills started as a healthy habit. Now? It’s a full-blown addiction to workshops. I crave the learning, the new ideas, and the chance to grow. A recent workshop also sparked a memory of an unexpected moment of awe. I rediscovered a…
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Cultivating Patience: A Path to Spiritual Growth | Thought, Word & Deed
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 In today’s fast-paced world, exemplifying patience has become a rare but valuable trait. Patience allows us to navigate challenges with grace and resilience, fostering understanding and growth. Patience is…
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Snakes and Anxiety: Navigating the Stigma of Being Afraid
And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So, he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. Exodus 4:3 (NKJV) I don’t blame Moses here in Exodus 4:3. I would have done exactly the same thing. I’m terrified of snakes. The Bible often gives serpents a bad…
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The Ripple Effect: How Receiving Support Leads to Paying It Forward
In a world of kindness and compassion, every act of support creates a ripple effect, inspiring others to do the same. Receiving support can lead to paying it forward, which spreads positivity and goodwill throughout our communities. In my years in the healthcare field, I have noticed a great number of people who refused to…
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The Importance of Self-Reflection in Assessing Your Love for the Lord
When I was 18, I joined the contemporary ensemble at the early service of our church in Chattanooga. I stood on stage with others in front of hundreds of people and sang about God. It was a privilege and the highlight of my week. I was overwhelmed with the talent of this group. There were…
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Cappuccino Chaos: A Laughter-Filled Brewing Blunder
I started the day with gusto, but my energy was starting to wane. 86 coffees hadn’t sustained me through my morning, so I decided to kick it up a notch. I was going to make my first cappuccino. All on my own. My husband had made the last 300 or so, and it had looked…
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Bloggers are Big, Fat Whiners
The statement caught me off guard. I was among a group of strangers, a common phenomenon with my everlasting love of workshops. Whether in writing, spiritual direction, dreamwork, leadership group, photography circle, spiritual retreats, DOK, or you name it, I love workshops. Our group was given the theme of rebirth and renewal and how we…
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Discovering Magic in the Everyday: Elevating Routine Activities to Moments of Wonder
“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.” Ralph Waldo Emerson The Art of Paying Attention We were running late. My then three-year-old son was jumping and hopping around the driveway as I worked to wrangle the infant car seat with his sister in place. He started pulling at my…
