rise up

You know sometimes we can just feel so weighed down by the worries and anxieties of life and we find ourselves settling, even unintentionally, into a realm of shallowed perspective where disappointment and hopelessness take hold and keep us anchored in those cares. But the Lord always calls us up to a higher plain, to […]

My Story: World IBD Day

World IBD Day is observed each year on May 19 in order to raise awareness for inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis, and to show support for the millions of people worldwide (including the 1.6 million Americans) that suffer daily with these these diseases. I know firsthand the seriousness and severity of […]

Take the pressure off.

I was so encouraged by these powerful words and declarations over us made by The Crowning Jewels back on International Women’s Day, that I wanted to share them with you, especially in light of Mother’s Day this Sunday. We as women, whether mothers in the natural or not, all have a sphere of influence, a God-given […]

My Story: Modern Witnesses

It was such an honor to be interviewed by Gabriela Yareliz of Modern Witnesses, a public forum and ministry representing the modern Christian woman. Gabriela is amazing and has created such a powerful and inspirational space for women to openly tell their stories, share their faith, their struggles and their triumphs and to bring about […]

Stop it. Please. Stop it.

Right before falling asleep I said, “Lord, show me the ultimate life you have for me.” Well, how many of you know that God speaks to us in many different ways and that night, I believe He responded by showing me something that was actually keeping me from experiencing that “ultimate, abundant life.” I dreamed […]

My Story: Afraid to die.

*Original story, “Too Young to Die?” written January 15, 2017. **Edited and published January 15, 2018. Interestingly as I begin to draft this piece of my story, it is the day before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, only now it is 8 years later (2017).** The number “8” in scripture relates to new beginnings, and this […]

His strength, not mine.

Inspired by a past journal entry and conversation with the Lord: I stood there that day loaded down by the cares of this life, the sum of which felt like one BIG, loooonnnnnggggg, HEAVY, harDDD, never-ending upWARD climb. My mind says, “There’s no way this is the pathway to the abundant life promised me. Have I […]

Onward.

i think it’s about time to shake off the dust yesterday’s cares last season’s disappointments all the what if’s and why didn’t’s that hope deferred feeling the weariness and fatigue from the travel the fog of trying to remember what it is you’ve been clinging to all this time the lines get so blurred after […]

Content, at last.

“I’ll be happy when….” “I wouldn’t be stressed out if…” “I would be content if only…” “Life would be so much easier if…” “I’ll be relieved when…” “I wouldn’t always be worked up if…” Who can relate? Can you easily fill in the blanks? Are there situations in your life that you tend to add […]

Who you are.

Sometimes you don’t feel good enough, you feel so unqualified, you lack that confidence and you’re biting your nails on the inside. Well, here’s the deal (like my husband would say): whenever you start to feel timid, shy or afraid, or if the world ever tries to make you feel inadequate or not enough, you […]

The better way.

why me? seriously. hope? i need it. fret. stress. worry. soul so unsatisfied. peace? what’s that? so jumbled up inside. heart longing for more. emotions all over the place. so connected to circumstance. striving. performing. perfection. why do i have to work so hard for it? for anything. for everything. for something. confident much? yeah, […]

A trust rooted as deep as the trees.

a journal entry: As I lay here tonight with one worry or another racing through my mind, keeping me from resting peacefully, I exhale and whisper, “Jesus take me away. Just take me away with you.” I immediately get a picture of a wooded area surrounding a body of water. It reminds me of Sandy […]

She dances.

My heart blooms like a sweet flower naturally arrayed in beauty. But not the striving kind of beauty… Rather, a beauty that knows it was created with such tender thought and care. Like fresh blossoms swaying in a cool breeze on a warm summer day, my heart dances. But it’s as if it’s […]

It is well.

My soul beams with gladness in the presence of my Savior. He has done marvelous things… more than I can truly comprehend. He is beyond what we can ever imagine. His mere presence brings light and healing and truth. My soul is transformed by the light that extends from his face. He shines goodness […]

The beauty of Jesus.

Your beauty envelops me. It hovers over me like a canopy of colors never seen. Beams and rays of sweet light surround me as I sit with you… and it brings healing to my soul. Oh Jesus, there’s just so much more to you than I know. This glimpse is good but it leaves me wanting more. […]