The touch of your hands

The last time I felt the touch of your hands was November 30th of last year. That was 189 days ago. I would do anything to feel your touch again.

We had a rocky exchange of messages yesterday. Those exchanges hurt deeply when you are on the other end of the world. In a small way I had let you down. I understand why. Your packages arrived and I did not rush to open them.They were filled with gifts for others but every item had been touched with your hands. The box folded up and taped also held by those hands I long to have hold me.

You called a few hours later. Technology has been a blessing allowing me to see your face almost daily during these many months apart.

Now you must go on a mission . . . a mission which may prevent me from seeing your face or hearing your voice for days. Tears flowed from my side of the screen. I miss you so much, dear, and simply want to feel the touch of your hand.

You lifted up your hand and touched your side of the screen. Your eyes saying what I needed to hear. "I miss you too, my love."

God gave me a precious gift in that moment. Through the screens of our phones I could feel the touch of your hand. He gave me the desire of my heart (Psalm 37:4). He has surely been my strength; never letting go of my hand. Thank you, Lord.

Be safe, my love. Soon we will spend our days holding hands again.

A letter to my husband

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: "WRITE."

Today's post is an old Five Minute Friday post written when the prompt word was, "LETTER." Please pardon me for reusing. I'm limiting my writing as I focus on time with my family before my husband deploys. When I saw what today's prompt word was this post seemed appropriate to share again since I will soon begin writing letters to my husband again.

My love,

I remember clearly the day when the boys and I said good-bye to you in the parking lot of the hotel you would depart from the following morning. Our eyes were filled with tears. Letting go of you to send you on your way to become a soldier was a mixture of excitement for you and sadness for us. The months we would spend apart would be hard.

The first thing I did that evening after saying good-bye was write my first letter to you.

"Dear, I just returned home from saying our good-byes. We cried for a bit longer on the ride home and then one of the boys made a comment to make us laugh. I miss you already but I'm incredibly proud of you."

Here my love for writing began. Here my love for a written letter began.

I waited patiently for you to write me. When the first letter arrived my heart leaped with joy. Holding a piece of paper you had touched brought you a little closer to home.

"Dear Beth, I have started writing this letter at least five times. I really don't know what to say other than I miss you and I love you. I will hold on to your last words to me with every ounce of strength I have."

Our mailman quickly became my favorite person as new letters written by you were delivered.

Then it became time to send our oldest son off to become a sailor. Could I survive another good-bye? Yes, I could because I had learned the secret to survival: WRITE!

Letters to both of you were written, sealed and mailed daily. Every day (except for Sunday of course) I would be filled with hopes of opening the mailbox to a letter from one of you. I remember the day I received a letter from our son. He had written only four words, "I love you, Mom." Those four words were enough.

I'm filled with wonderful memories of watching you both become a soldier and sailor. My greatest memories will always be of the joy found in every letter written and every letter received.

As we prepare to send you on your way to do the very thing you set out to do, my heart aches over saying good-bye again but I will wait patiently for you to write me. Oh how I will be ready to write to you.

My love, thank you for what I consider precious treasures: letters of love written by you.

Love, Me

What is true today?

 

I've gone back and forth on whether to participate today for Five Minute Friday. This has become a common occurrence for me. The prompt word twirls around in my head—true, true, true.

What is true today?

I'm overwhelmed.

If I'm overwhelmed wouldn't the next right choice be to pass on writing today. My mind still plays out what to write. So which is it God? Do I write or do I take a pass?

While I wait for His direction, I keep on writing. I hope the answer will come somewhere along the way. It's only five minutes so what's the problem? Seriously though, how do you write for only five minutes? Am I the only one unable able to do this? My question now becomes, should I be joining in for Five Minute Friday every week if I'm unable to write for only five minutes?

Okay, maybe we should go back to my first question.

What is true today?

I'm overwhelmed.

I'm probably overwhelmed because I'm still figuring out how to say no. I need to get over the belief that to be good enough I need to say yes to everything.

I'm tired.

I love my early mornings with HelloMornings but maybe God is not asking me to rise as early as 4:30 a.m. Then again, I look forward to the additional time with Him.

I'm sad.

A recent argument with family has me sad. I'm battling over right vs. wrong. I'm battling over knowing I did not handle the situation in a Christ-like manner. Yet, I call myself a follower of Christ. Even though I may have been wrong there's no desire to make it right. I only want to stop being sad.

I'm lonely.

My husband hasn't even left for his deployment but I'm already feeling the loneliness. I need to snap out of it before these days we do have together slip away.

If I slow down for even a moment these feelings take over and tears fall uncontrollably.

What is true today?

“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” ~ Psalm 56:8

For now, those words bring comfort. I'm not even sure why. The only thing I know to do is to trust in Him and lean on Him.

What is true today?

He is always with us. If you feel overwhelmed, tired, sad or lonely today, trust in Him. Lean on Him. He is there.

P.s. What is true today? I had no idea what to use for a photo. I choose the one I used because it felt peaceful.

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: True.

She belongs

She is chosen.

She is adopted.

She is redeemed.

She is forgiven.

She is marked with a seal.

She has a guaranteed inheritance.

She was previously dead in her transgressions and sins because she followed the desires of the flesh.

She was lost but now is found.

She is saved.

All because she believed.

The old is gone the new creation is here.

She has been made new by His blood poured out for her on the cross.

It had nothing to do with anything she had done.

What could she possibly do to earn such love and mercy?

"Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." ~ Eph. 2:4-5

She will not forget where she once was: without hope and without God.

She now has hope. She always has hope.

Where does her hope come from? 

Her hope comes from the Lord who she now has access to through his Holy Spirit.

For she now belongs.

(Eph. 1-2)

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: She.

Mercy

Before heading to bed last night I signed in to Twitter for my usual #FMFParty lingering and I arrived just in time for Lisa-Jo Baker's tweet announcing the prompt word. Her tweet... "This week's five minute writing exercise with special guest @AliaJoyH is on MERCY bit.ly/14QaiTC #inmercy." One of these days I will stop lingering and actually join in for the #FMFParty.

I crawled in to bed feeling overly exhausted—mentally exhausted. The week seemed twice as long with my husband being gone.

As I laid there thinking about the word mercy I was convinced writing on this word would be too hard. I didn't know where I would begin. Maybe I would skip Five Minute Friday this week. I was too tired to even think about it. Before long I was sound asleep.

GO

It's a new morning and another morning with HelloMornings as we study Ephesians together. Friday is an application day. This week we've studied from Ephesians 2:1-10. For this particular book I've become quite attached to The Voice translation. I review my notes from the week and on one of the pages I wrote the word MERCY. It's underlined and underneath is the definition.

     Mercy: a blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion

I don't remember where I pulled this quote from, I believe from Matthew Henry's Commentary, but after the definition I wrote, "God's eternal love or goodness towards His creatures is the fountain whence all mercies flow to us; and that love of God is great love, and that mercy is rich mercy."

This past week the verses that stood out to me in my study time were,

"But God, with the unfathomable richness of His love and mercy focused on us, united us with the Anointed One and infused our lifeless souls with life—even though we were buried under mountains of sin--and saved us by His grace." ~ Eph. 2:4-5 (The Voice)

It is the verse shortly after that spoke most to me. In Ephesians 2:7 Paul tells us why God focused His love and mercy on us.

"He did this for a reason: so that for all eternity we will stand as a living testimony to the incredible riches of His grace and kindness that He freely gives to us by uniting us with Jesus the Anointed." ~ Eph. 2:7 (The Voice)

The Glorious Grace study guide we are using for HelloMornings asks, "What is one thing you want to remember from this part of the letter?"

For me, it's never forgetting what God did for me. He took this "lifeless soul" of mine and gave me life. It's a life I never dreamed of having; a better life. He saved me by sending His son to the cross for me. The love and mercy He has shown me has me on my knees saying, "Thank you, God. I'm not worthy but thank you."

I want to be a testimony to His amazing grace and kindness. "Please God; help me to stand as your living testimony."

I pray those words and know the only way I will ever come close to showing this same grace and kindness to others is when I make the choice to follow His son. Jesus is my example. Jesus is our example. I will follow Him all the days of my life.

STOP

Red Shirt Friday

RedShirtFridays.org has a tag line that reads, "They Bleed Red So We Wear Red." Who is Red Shirt Fridays? It's an organization that exists solely to show support to our servicemen and servicewomen. They do this by wearing red every Friday. They do this so our servicemembers know we have not forgotten them.

This past week I attended two military memorial services. For me, it felt like losing one of my own. Two mothers lost a son. Two wives lost a husband. A child is now without a father and another child, soon to be born, will never meet his father.

I watched as my husband kneeled before the father of a fellow soldier and presented him with an American Flag in honor of his son's service.

I stood with other military mothers and presented a Gold Star Banner to a friend as she mourned the loss of her son.

I quietly listened as my son, who is a sailor, told me of his first time folding the American Flag for a servicemember recently killed in active duty. This is far from his first funeral. He has helped honor many as they are laid to rest.

But this is what we do. We honor them. We remember them. So today I will wear red. How about you?


I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: Red.

The Heart of Worship

On a Saturday afternoon in Guatemala, women from two different countries came together for a Women's Retreat. Although we did not speak the same language, that afternoon:

we sang together,

we prayed together and for each other,

we told stories of faith,

we broke bread together,

we made crafts together,
we shared tips to stay healthy,
we served as Christ served His disciples,

we witnessed unsaved give their life to Christ

and saved re-dedicate their lives to Christ,

and we laughed, cried and shared many hugs.

That afternoon, we worshiped God together.

Lives were changes—
maybe ours more than theirs.

This is the heart of worship.

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship
And it's all about You
All about You, Jesus"

The Heart of Worship, by Matt Redman

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: Worship.

Whisper My Name.

I woke this morning and went through my usual morning routine of preparing for coffee to brew and then taking a shower. Once I have a cup of coffee in hand it's time to meet Jesus. Lately I have begun my morning time by turning to my Jesus Calling devotional. I'm lost in the first two sentences for today's reading.

"Whenever you feel distant from Me, whisper My Name in loving trust. This simple prayer can restore your awareness of My Presence." ~ Jesus Calling

I read those words over and over again. My heart is aching for His presence.

You see, last night my husband and I had an argument. It was rather trivial, many times they are, but instead of not letting the sun go down while still angry (Ephesians 4:26) we went to bed angry with one other. I'm the one to blame. We argued over a new fence in our yard when there are so many reasons to express gratitude for that fence.

This morning I felt a little like Moses wanting God to reveal Himself to me. I needed to see Him. He did not feel present.

My morning time bounced from Jesus Calling to trying to park myself somewhere in His word. I had just finished reading from Galatians. Someone recently shared words from Hosea so I tried going there. He was still not revealing Himself to me so I turned to Ephesians sure I would find Him there. I got as far as Ephesians 1:4.

Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. (AMP)

I'm not feeling all that holy and blameless.

My husband finally wakes. The silence between us continues and every part of me is aching for God. Please God, reveal yourself to me. Be present.

Before I depart for work I walk up to this man who has been my husband for almost twenty-three years. My eyes search his wondering if this silence can be broken. He walks up to me with his eyes now searching mine. He wraps his arms around me and holds me close. It was then, right at that moment, when God revealed Himself. His grace once again covered us and gave us another day to learn to love more like Him.

As I made my morning commute to work, the words from Jesus Calling came to my mind again.

"Whenever you feel distant from Me, whisper My Name in loving trust. This simple prayer can restore your awareness of My Presence." ~ Jesus Calling

He was present. He's always present. All I needed to do was whisper His name.

I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker again for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created such a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: Present. God works in amazing ways.

He is always present!



A birthday note for Rick.



From Pinterest

Dear Rick,

We don't know each other, although I feel like I know you. Alene Snodgrass has shared with us that you will soon be celebrating a birthday. There is something we have in common...it's that beautiful Alene. I'm thinking that makes us friends too. 

Alene has asked her many friends to share a little something on how the words you contributed to Graffiti: scribbles from different sides of the street had an impact on us. I'm writing this to you as part of Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker because the word is beautiful and I immediately thought of you. There is a good chance I will go over the allotted five minutes. Can I tell you a secret? I always do. Shh.

How do I tell you in five minutes how beautiful you are?

I read Graffiti many months ago and my heart longed to meet you right away. I longed to hear more of your beautiful poems. The hearts of you and Alene came together and while you are both beautiful in your own unique way, your words together told of how we come from different sides of the street but our differences shouldn't keep us only on our side.

You taught me how to look across the street and see that those on the other side are beautiful too. We are all created in His image so how could we not see each other as beautiful?

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. ~ Genesis 1:27

Your beautiful heart was seen through the words you shared. You helped change this heart of mine and led me across the street. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have met my new friend Bob. It's been weeks since I've seen him again but I know because of you I was able to touch his heart. I was able to tell him how beautiful he is.

For this Rick, I say thank you. Thank you for being a light to God's truth. His truth that says we are all His masterpiece no matter which side of the street we are on; even those living on the street.

May your beautiful words remain on my heart and keep leading me across the street.

I end with a small prayer. A prayer that one day you and I will meet. A prayer that one day I will wrap my arms around you and tell you in person how beautiful you are.

Happy Birthday, Rick.

In between is Hope.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13 

The greatest of these is love (1 Cor. 13:13) but let's talk about the word that sits in between faith and love: Hope.

I hope you have been following along with me and others in this Graffiti Summer challenge. God is doing some amazing things. It's not too late to join in on this study. This week our assignment was to open up to others. We were challenged to share from a deeper level which then gives others the freedom to do as well.

All week long I read the words of other Graffiti Summer writers. Hop over here and read what all these amazing ladies have shared. They all dared to be real. Over the past four weeks these writers have connected by leaving comments on each other's posts and giving shout outs on Twitter. New friendships are being formed. It's a beautiful thing.

One of the Graffiti Summer writers wrote on being addicted to connection. Stop in and read what Tammy Werthem @ iwokeupyesterday had to say. Her addiction to connection is contagious. In an earlier post Tammy got real and shared at a deeper level. As I write this morning I think of my new friend and the connection we've now made because she was real. She gave me hope by reminding me God never wastes a hurt.

Before I called it quits for the night I connected with another friend who asked me to write a guest post for her blog. Our connection has us brainstorming on bringing hope to those who struggle with worrying about how they are perceived by others. Oh what a familiar struggle.

My hurt for years has been worrying about how I'm perceived and believing I needed to be the same as others to fit in. This worrying has taken on many different forms with one of them being a long-time struggle with bulimia.

Yesterday, someone dared to be real. She then opened up the door for me to be real with her. Being real struck a chord with my friend Jessica @ Prayers and Apples to say come share your story on my page and let's bring hope to others. I've discovered my friend Tammy shared powerful truth when she said to me, "God will use this challenge with bulimia to heal you, so that you can lead others out of similar struggles."

The struggle is more than a struggle with bulimia but a struggle to believe that inside and out I am enough. It's a struggle so many have. The message I hope to deliver is one that reminds us all that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God and his works are wonderful. (Psalm 139:14)

This amazing leader of our Graffiti Summer challenge is right, freedom can be found when we get real.

Hope is found through connections because connections lead us and others to the one who gives us hope. Our hope comes from the Lord.

****

Friends, I'm joining Lisa-Jo Baker again for Five Minute Friday. Lisa has created a wonderful community where many others come together and write for five minutes on a prompt she provides. It's a beautiful thing. Today's prompt is: In Between. I need to keep it real and tell you I wrote for more than five minutes...much more. Once I got started I couldn't stop. I hope you don't mind me still linking up.

A new rhythm.

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."


Today's word: Rhythm

GO

I've spent the morning debating whether I'd join the many others in these five minutes of writing. A part of me needed a different rhythm to this day. I wasn't sure if I was up for the rhythm of pounding away on the keyboard. It's the first day of summer and a quiet rhythm is needed. I sense God is beckoning me to be still before Him.

Then it occurs to me how the rhythm of my days has changed. (I'm drawn again to these five minutes of writing.) There are no longer two young boys flying in and out of our house with friends in tow. I feared losing that rhythm. I miss the sounds of the older one. Today's his birthday which makes me miss him even more.

The younger one no longer has friends in tow, but enters our home with a beautiful girlfriend by his side. His sounds consist of the strumming of a classical guitar which blesses our days.

We are able to connect with our older son using this thing called Skype and witness how he moves to a different beat as a sailor and also a husband.

And this rhythm to my days that I never would have imagined are those times spent in prayer, those times spent worshiping a great God we previously did not know. My husband and I bow are heads together every evening in prayer and thanksgiving and I hope this is a rhythm that stays.

I have found I love the new rhythm found outside of our home. With our days no longer needing to be spent following our kids around, we follow God's lead in embracing new friendships. Some maybe not so new but the beat of the friendship is new. It beats with love and no longer fear. It beats with laughter and tears when spending time with lifelong friends who love you no matter what your rhythm is. There is the quieter beat of sitting on the patio with a new friend and then the beats of hearts souring as families of friends are formed.

Maybe I've gotten this whole rhythm word wrong. All I know is when Jesus found His way in to my heart, every beat of my day changed. My heart dances to this rhythm.

STOP

Listen to what he says. {Graffiti Summer}

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Listen

Remember my homeless veteran friend, Bob? Oh, if you do not know about him, would you please take a moment to stop over here? I'm not sure why, but God has given me a soft heart towards Bob.

GO

He sits on a busy corner I happen to pass by every week day on my way home from work. I've seen him a few more times since the day when I finally stopped and crossed over the street to greet him. Since that day, I drive on by and ask God, "How do I really help Bob?" As I wait for God to respond, I feel not up to the task of crossing over to the other side of street again.

There he was again yesterday. It was a warm sunny day. I almost missed him as I got carried away singing along to a new song I've been listening to again and again.

"I'm longing for You, Lord

I need You to fill me more and more
I'm desperate for You, Jesus
Whatever You have to do
Make me more like You"
More Like You, by Kim Hill

God's voice came through over the song and He told me exactly what He wanted me to do. "Stop your car, Beth. Grab those McDonald's gift cards you've been waiting to bless someone with and make your way over to Bob. But this time I want you to really listen to what Bob has to say."

So off to the other side of the street I went to listen to what Bob had on his heart to say.

I listen as he tells me about his eight children and many, many grandchildren. He could live with any one of his children, but he manages to squeak on by on his own.

I listen to his words soften with a hint of sorrow when he mentions his autistic grandchild. He's been reading books on how to care for him as he may soon spend his days watching this grandchild of his.

I listen as he shares about his days in Vietnam. His voice gets a bit agitated over the men and women still fighting for this country. He wonders why.

I listen to him even closer when he opens his heart about ministering to children who gather in the area he calls home for now. Their mothers are addicted to drugs and oh how he hates to see these kids suffer.

I listen to him—I really listen—when he says he talks to Jesus every day. My heart breaks as I listen to him say, "Beth, He never responds."

Before we parted ways I told Bob, "Don't lose your faith, Bob. Keep talking. He is listening. And so am I."

STOP

To read more on my #GraffitiSummer journey, go here.

He will not let me fall

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Fall

GO

There is a chill in the air and it feels a bit like fall. The heat has been turned back on as warmth is needed in this home of mine. My husband is gone for several weeks playing Army and I miss being able to wrap myself in his loving arms for the warmth he provides.

I'm afraid the warm summer months will skip on by. Fall will be here all too soon. Then will come winter which brings us to this looming deployment. It will be his first deployment—our first deployment. If I allow myself to spend too much time thinking about what the time apart will be like all I want to do is fall on my bed and cry. Can we skip over all those months instead?

Before my husband left he provided instructions on keeping up with our yard. Quite honestly though, I can't seem to summon up the strength to do it all. I fear everything will fall apart.

Our home is left undone. A maid has been called. It's the first time I've ever called a maid.

My Graffiti Summer challenge has me focused on other things. My mind is always three steps ahead of me wondering where next I should be. Many things are falling to the side, but I hope and I pray that my heart and soul is where God is calling it to be, bringing a ray of light—bringing Christ—to those who have fallen on harder times.

As David writes in Psalm 55:22, I will cast my cares on the Lord and take comfort in knowing He will sustain me. He will not let me fall.

STOP

Would you stop on by and read more about this Graffiti Summer journey I'm on? You can catch up on my posts here.

More than you could ever Imagine.

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Imagine


GO

There was a time when imagining a different life for my family seemed pointless. All I could imagine was continued heartache. Our life was dark and loveless. I mean we loved each other but we didn't do a very good job at loving each other.

When I'd dare to imagine, a life without my husband looked like a better life. The image led me to leaving my husband.

Then came the time while going through extensive outpatient therapy for an eating disorder when the therapist asked me to write—to imagine—what my future could look like. I was surprised to find myself imagining my husband and I back together and being blessed by the addition of a little girl to our family of four.

I was certain of the image I had of my husband and I together again. A life without my eating disorder I could not imagine so having another child never came to be.

Soon, imagining it could be more than it had ever been just left me in tears. We would never have all that my heart could imagine.

The problem was I never imagined God finding a place in our hearts. Even if I had, I could have never imagined how God can transform. I don't think God ever intended for me to imagine what it could be. He wanted me to believe. He wanted me...us...to believe in Him.

Do we spend our days imagining or do we believe? Maybe we first imagine and then believe. But He will do so much more then you could ever imagine.

He took our family of four and redeemed. He filled our hearts with love.

Believe...and then leave your future in the hands of the One who already knows what it holds.

"You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed."
~ Psalm 139:16

STOP

If you would like to read more on how God redeemed our family, below are two posts I wrote:
Redemption for a Family - Part 1

Redemption for a Family - Part 2

Sing a New Song

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Song

"Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples." ~ Psalm 96:1-3

GO

My heart sings a new song, a song I never thought I'd sing. It sings a song I pray it will never stop singing because my heart now dances to this beautiful song.

I sing a new song to God, a song of praise and gratitude for He saved me from a heart that no longer sang.

It's a glorious song, oh yes it is. It's a song of love. It's a song that sings thank you Lord for loving me. The song never leaves my mind even on the days when I'm feeling weary. It sings a bit louder on those weary days as He takes a hold of my heart and reminds me in Him I will find rest.

God planted this song on my heart two years ago. My heart was lonely and He appeared. He said, "Come, follow me" and let's sing a new song as we go on a journey together. My heart is still dancing to the beat of this song and the sound of His foot steps as I wake and choose again to follow Him instead.

It's a song of love. It's a song that sings thank you Lord for loving me. Could there be a better song?

STOP

****

What else makes my heart sing and dance? My husband! And since he will soon be spending a month away from home as he trains for a deployment later this year, I've decided to take a small break from writing. I may still pop in and leave some quick words, but otherwise he will have my devoted attention. Pray for him and his fellow soldiers will you please? We would be so grateful.

Finding Comfort in Community

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Comfort

GO

I was thrown into a new world of being a military family as my husband and oldest son headed off to train to become a soldier and sailor. There was comfort in knowing my strong and fearless husband would be just fine, but sending my son off to begin this new chapter in his life left me in need of being comforted.

Shortly before my son departed I made my way to an online community where connections were made with other moms and a few spouses whose children and husbands would go through Boot Camp with my son. After we said our good-byes to our soon to be sailors, a new friendship began. Many evenings were spent in our online chat world both laughing and crying, but in the end always finding comfort in knowing the roller coaster of emotions was understood.  These women...they were my comfort.

We had nicknames for each other, used way too many emoticons, decided that together we sparkled and couldn't wait for the day we would finally meet.

The day that stands out most is when we were unable to pull away from our computer screens as we chatted online waiting to hear from our sons, daughters and husbands to inform us they were now sailors. Graduation day was only days away. Our hearts were beating frantically with excitement.

When our calls came our online world exploded with delight. We had heard their precious voices and those three words, "I'm a Sailor." For many of us, tears quickly came.

It's been a little over two years since we came together to watch our loved ones graduate and then enter the world as United States Sailors. These ladies remain some of my dearest friends. The comfort we gave each other did not end on graduation day. Comfort is still found when we share how those good-byes never get easier and we rejoice over reunions with our sailors. We all agree the days between are far too long.

What I love is how we comfort each other beyond those difficult moments of being Navy moms and wives...we comfort each other in the daily life. Many times when I post a status update on Facebook the comments found are primarily from these fabulous ladies. They have not only comforted me, they have blessed me.

To these women...you know who you are...I love you with all my heart and I hope one day we are reunited beyond our online world. Until then, I'm grateful that comfort is always within reach.

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{Yes...this went over the allotted five minutes but these ladies were worth breaking the rules.}

There were also some very special friendships made with a few lovely ladies who had husbands and children attending basic training with my husband. Please don't think you were forgotten...five minutes is such a short amount of time. You comforted me greatly during those days, especially once receiving news of my husband's injury and the delay in his graduation. Oh how grateful I am that we were still able to meet. Much love to you all.

Never forget how brave they are.

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Brave

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Acts of bravery take place around us every day. Because really, being brave comes in many different forms and being brave doesn't only require putting on a uniform and making the choice to serve and protect our country.

But today I do want to write about those brave men and women who put on that camouflage uniform. This is where my mind immediately went when I pulled out my iPad, browsed through new emails and discovered the word Lisa-Jo was asking us to write for five minutes on was Brave. Maybe this is because my evening was spent sharing with a ladies group at my church on supporting our military.

Never forget their sacrifices.

Their sacrifices require bold acts of bravery—acts of bravery many of us may never fully understand. Too many times their acts of bravery lead to an ultimate sacrifice. This is where my heart lies friends...to never forget how brave they are. We are the land of the free because of the brave.

Forgive me for using this space to make a simple request. The month of May is Military Appreciation Month. To my many, many writer friends...could today be a day where you take another five minutes and write a letter to a service member? Your letter can be sent to the address below and will be included in comfort care packages sent to our men and women bravely serving in harms way.

Operation Support our Troops - America
1807 S. Washington Street
Suite 110, #359
Naperville, Illinois 60565

God Bless.

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My friend...my Kuleana

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Friend

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My morning began with reading the latest devotional from Girlfriends in God, titled "Who is Your Kuleana?" With having the opportunity to recently spend a couple days in Hawaii the post title caught my attention. Apparently, "Kuleana" is a vital island phrase and means your "path" or your "posse," those people for whom and to whom you are responsible.

"They include family who really know you, friends who walk beside you, your children and grandchildren and anyone who looks up to you. Also included are any mentors or leaders who have poured into you. And it definitely includes your spouse."

When I discovered that today's word was "friend" and learned about this Hawaiian phrase, I asked myself Who is my Kuleana?

The answer was easy...my husband.

As Pam Farrel shared in her devotional, my husband and I need to be Kuleana (responsible) to each other first.

We have been through so much together, but I'm grateful for where God has brought us today. God has taught us that we are responsible for carrying each other...we are responsible for ensuring neither of us falls. This requires always putting God first in our life and asking Him to show us how to continually support each other in this daily journey of a life together.

There is a bond between my husband and I that is stronger than ever. He is my best friend...my Kuleana. Throughout the day I will look at this amazing man and simply say to him, "Dear...." His response is always the same, "I know, I love you too."

This year we will celebrate 23 years of marriage. Twice our marriage was almost cut short. What brought me back to him was discovering without him by my side I had lost my best friend.

I am forever grateful that by my side he remains.

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Jump in the Ocean

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Jump



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This word "jump" made me think of an article written by author, Jon Gordon, called "No Fear in the New Year." In it Jon writes, "And as I take my leap into the ocean I want to invite you to jump in with me. Perhaps not in the ocean, but in the depths of your mind. This jump doesn't necessarily require water but rather a leap of faith in your belief system and a shift in your mindset. The antidote to fear is trust and it is only a thought away."

After the events that took place this past week in Boston, and as you continue to watch the events unfold on the news, I'm sure fear is lingering in the hearts of many. It's in moments like these when we hear others asking, "Where is God?"

We can question where God is, and maybe we need to be asking this question. But it isn't a matter of God not being present. I believe it's a matter of are we allowing God to be present in our hearts.

When I think of this word "jump" and I remember the words shared by Jon Gordon, I realize we need to lead more to the ocean and say, "Take a leap of faith and jump. Because really, what do you have to lose?" When we take that leap of faith and choose to jump, God will be found. He is surely present. The more we allow Him into our hearts, this evil that exists will begin to fade away.

God is found in the hearts of others. In Boston, God was present. He was present in the many who responded in those moments of evil and reached out and didn't let evil have the final say. He remains present in those who instead say, "we will overcome evil with good."

Jump into the ocean...take a leap of faith. God is only a thought away.

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Trusting God Right Here

I am joining Lisa-Jo Baker and others for Five Minute Friday. Lisa-Jo provides us with a word prompt and we are to write for five minutes with "no extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation."

Today's word: Here



Original Photo by friend Judd Johnson

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Here I am. It's Friday and I'm at the office trying to avoid accepting that this cold has grabbed a hold of me. I shouldn't be writing while at work, but it will be short as five minutes is the limit.

As I sit here I can't help but to find myself asking again is here really where you want me, God? I keep wishing His response would be different because I'd rather be anywhere but here. As I anxiously await my mission trip to Guatemala later this year, I hope there is where He will leave my heart. I hope there I will discover my calling.

Every time I find myself questioning if here is where He has called me to be, I'm reminded of these words from Colossians 3:23 said by Paul, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." These words were previously pinned to my cork board in my office as a daily reminder. I'm not sure why I chose to take them down. Maybe it's time to put them back up as I know God is asking me to trust Him right here.

Here I am, going over the five minute limit and still wishing I was in some other place. I don't like to find myself questioning God. It's okay to question Him, right? Even though I find myself questioning God, making the choice to trust Him always finds its way back to my heart.

Right now, here is where He's called me to be.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

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