Recently sharing with a friend and spiritual mentor, I learned an incredible lesson about surrender as the pathway to healing through my almost nine-month-old dog, Shalom. When Shalom came into my life, at twelve weeks old, her name was already written on my heart. An integral part of my well-being, Peace tops my daily self-care list. After praying about getting…
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Surrender As the Pathway to Healing
April Acceptance: Share Four Somethings
Waving farewell to another month, I rejoice in a glance back at my April Acceptance joining Jennifer Goodwin as she hosts a monthly feature called, Share Four Somethings, where writers share the fourth Saturday of each month something in each of four categories from the previous month. Many readers notice I choose a theme for each month, which often reflects lessons or themes from…
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Vulnerability as Your Greatest Strength
Relevant for our times, the much talked about trait of vulnerability sparked much debate in my circles over the past month. One thing was common to all conversations, whether “for” or “against”, all failed to imagine vulnerability as your greatest strength. Routinely viewed as weakness, vulnerability actually demonstrates the courage to show up and be seen, regardless of the outcome….
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The Patience of Hope
While staying connected to my One Word Friend this past month, though without any specified direction, my new Friend spoke a Lent themed lesson into my heart. Introducing me to another friend well acquainted with previous cohorts Joy and Resilience, my One Word Friend took me on a journey through the Patience of Hope. Always at work in a believer’s…
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The Fragrance of Christ
Mornings hold a special magic for me. No matter the season, each day bears a charm unlike the one before it. As I sit quietly communing with God, often His Presence reduces me to tears. Breathing deep, I inhale the fragrance of Christ into the depths of my soul. A quick seasonal themed Pinterest search yields not only decor and…
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The Peace of Spiritual Vulnerability
Among the many lessons of Lent, my journey to the Cross this year yielded a deeper appreciation for the spiritual discipline of confession and a new understanding of the peace of spiritual vulnerability. Embracing authenticity before God and others through spiritual vulnerability, forges intimacy with God and connection with others in the bond of peace. But too often we prefer…
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When Faith Fails
The longer I walk with Christ, the more adamant my declaration of loyalty embeds itself in my mind. Yet a cursory review of my day often reveals the subtle ways I deny Christ. Throughout the temptations and challenges of my days, when faith fails, my denial echoes painfully in my heart. When our faith falls prey to our own self-sufficiency…
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The Last Song of Lent
If you knew your death was imminent, what song would you sing? Mark 14:26 recounts the end of the “last” Passover supper of Jesus with His disciples, and states, “after they had sung a hymn, they went out.” What was “The Last Song” Jesus sang before His death? Pondering the same question, I spent some time reviewing Passover tradition, and…
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A Heart After God’s Heart
Her response astonished me. Expecting her mild leading towards recognition of deeper sin in my life, my spiritual mentor spoke a truth into my spirit which never occurred to me over the course of the past few weeks of wrestling. “Your heaviness stems from the Spirit’s work in your life, as He gives you a heart after God’s heart.” Feeling…
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