Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, … Continue reading
Have you ever just wanted to say to someone, “Wow! You’re a terrible person!”? Maybe it’s someone you work with who is always being a jerk to the people around them. Or, maybe it’s someone closer, like a family member … Continue reading
Freedom Is Not Free
By: Kelly Strong
I watched the flag pass by one day,
It fluttered in the breeze;
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform,
So young, so tall, so proud;
With hair cut square and eyes alert,
He’d stand out it any crowd.
I thought…how many men like him
Had fallen through the years?
How many died on foreign soil?
How many mothers’ tears?
How many pilots’ planes shot down
How many dead at sea
How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves
No, Freedom is not Free.
I heard the sound of Taps one night,
When everything was still;
I listened to the bugler play,
And felt a sudden chill;
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant “Amen”
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of a brother or a friend;
I thought of all the children,
Of the mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
With interrupted lives.
I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea,
Of unmarked graves in Arlington.
No. Freedom is not Free!
“Surrender don’t come natural to me I’d rather fight You for something I don’t really want Than take what You give that I need And I’ve beat my head against so many walls Now, I’m falling down, I’m falling on … Continue reading
Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity! – Ecclesiastes 1:2 Sometimes the Lord has a funny, and subtle, way of reminding me of His truths. Today, after a chat with Nick, I sat down to … Continue reading
If you could address any of the communication or interpersonal issues at your workplace, what would it be? Would you tell your gossipy co-worker to keep her mouth shut? Would you tell your belligerent boss that you hear just fine … Continue reading
This song was my gift to Nick on our wedding day. It was beautifully arranged and scored by the amazing and talented Matthew Williams. It was an unspeakable gift to me when I heard it for the first time! It’s … Continue reading
Nick and I often stop to marvel at how we got here. Our journey was long and the road was winding, but we’ve finally arrived home. It’s beyond our comprehension that the Lord was gracious enough to work this out for us. We balance each other so well and yet, we are headed in the same direction. It’s not uncommon to hear one or the other of us say, “I was born to be with you”. It’s a beautiful thing.
Having met at 15, it took 19 years for our timing to finally be right. We learned so much in those years. There are times we are tempted to regret our journey, but the truth is, we walked those roads for a purpose. We are better people, better spouses, and better followers of Jesus for the hardships and loneliness we endured. We are grateful and deeply appreciate this gift we’ve been given. I imagine we would have struggled much as young newlyweds without the wisdom that comes with time and maturity. Maybe it would have been better. Who can say? All I know is the looks on our face in the moment God’s promise was realized for us tells our story. We want to tell of His goodness always.
“This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes; this is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad.” – Psalm 118:23-24
Photo Credit: Innamorata Photography
This post in response to the Daily Prompt
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones. – Proverbs 17:22
The link between body and soul has always been interesting to me. Have you ever been able to pull yourself out of the blues just by singing a happy tune, dressing up, putting on makeup, or just doing something silly? Growing up in a Mary Kay household, I grew up hearing things these quotes by Mary Kay Ash:
“If you think you can, you can. If you think you can’t, you’re right.”
“Don’t limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe remember you can achieve.”
“Aerodynamically, the bumblebee shouldn’t be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn’t know it so it goes on flying anyway.”
Our mind is powerful. Sometimes we can change our reality just by choosing to do so. Sometimes we really can “fake it ’til we make it”.
I know, for me, if I’m feeling down, doing something to physically change something makes a difference. I might take some extra time with my hair and makeup, or even just go for a walk. But, the best medicine is usually laughter. Our house is full of it. It’s a beautiful way to diffuse the blues and reset an attitude. “A joyful heart is good medicine” and it can heal so many of the things that ail us. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of getting the sadness out of me in some way. If I’m really blue about something, it usually comes out as a song. I sit at the piano and pour out the bad feelings so I can leave them there. Or, I take the time to write them down in a journal so they no longer float around in my heart. There are so many ways to fight the blues if we choose not to wallow in them. (Please note: There are times when “The Blues” are truly more than a feeling, it’s something that requires a physician. If you need help, please talk to someone. You don’t have to fight it alone).
How do you fight the blues? What’s your “good medicine”? Anyone know any good jokes? It all helps heal our hearts!
This post written in response to the WordPress Daily Prompt
In a conversation earlier this year, my husband mentioned that we would be people “of a certain age” this year. We are reaching our mid-thirties and thinking about the years ahead as well as the ones we’ve already lived. In all honesty, my thirties have been my best decade so far, so I can’t wait to see what’s ahead!
I have to laugh when I think about my reaction a few weeks ago when I thought I saw a grey hair! My heart skipped a beat and I did a double take. Nick was driving and I was in the passenger seat as I went on a frantic search for that one strand! It was just a false alarm (whew!), but it made me laugh at my own vanity! My Great-Nana had beautiful, thick, brown hair until the day she died. I’ve always hoped I would receive that gene! My mom is more and more beautiful each day and looks more like my sister than my mother. Again, I’m hoping for the same. I’d love to age that gracefully!
I just want to remember…
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Proverbs 31:30
As I begin this new season in my life, I want to continue in grace. I want to love people well, help where I can, and be a blessing to those I meet. Life is too short to fight the aging process or struggle with vanity. Live each day as if it were your last. Embrace it! We are not guaranteed tomorrow, so walk in grace and make a difference while you’re here!
This post in response to the Daily Prompt
The Giardino Journey 