New beginnings naturally trigger hope; like a new journal or freshly cleaned kitchen, one glance floods me with possibilites, creativity, expectancy! On the brink of a new year, my singular goal: triumphantly trusting the God of new beginnings wraps me in confident hope. Though not every new year prompted genuine hope and trust in God for the coming days, slowing…
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Triumphantly Trusting the God of New Beginnings
Mindfully Embracing the New Year with Hope
Praising God for new beginnings, my eye falls upon a fresh, new journal. Its stark pages beckon me come, linger, adorn the barreness with heart words, thought words, His words. Mindfully embracing the new year with hope begins with a retrospective glance, a final caress of the old year, a gentle release, and a reaching forward to grasp the hand…
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December Delights: Share Four Somethings
Easing the shock of yet another month all but concluded, I rejoice in a glance back at my December Delights joining Heather Gerwing 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. The four categories remain the same, something loved, something read or heard, something treasured, and something ahead. The premise…
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All Wrapped Up in Joy!
As a child, the anticipation of a special occasion or holiday filled me with such excitement, I repeatedly turned my wristwatch ahead by various time increments. Fully aware of the “real” time, I also believed by turning my watch ahead I actually manipulated the time in my world. As children we often desire time move more quickly, but as an…
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When All is Not Merry and Bright: Hidden Grief at Christmas
The simple task of writing Christmas cards brings me tremendous joy as I caress each card with words held in my heart for each recipient. Yet this year, like the cloud obscuring the sunlight present only moments before, sadness shadows the glitter edged cards before me. The hidden grief at Christmas reminds me all is not merry and bright. More…
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Christmas Mindfulness Mosaic
A Quest for a more meaningful Advent celebration this year prompted a welcome change with encouraging results. The reflective nature of Advent draws me in every year, inviting me linger with the Greatest Story Ever Told. Combining mindful scripture reading with traditional carols resulted in a Christmas mindfulness mosaic adding layers of meaning to my holiday quiet times. christmas mindfulness…
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The Gift of Grief During the Holidays
Scanning the crowd under the tent at an annual remembrance service, one cold December evening recently, reminded me of the nearness of grief in this season of Light. For grief bound the common thread among all of us present. We came whispering their names; those who left us too soon. We celebrated their lives, and the gift of grief each…
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Waiting with Hope
Each year I enter the holiday season with intentions of remaining present; embracing every moment of the glorious “season of Light” and savoring the precious truths God has for me. Alas, my noble intentions quickly dwindle amidst the daily distractions. As I began my Advent celebration, a thought struck me: “How would waiting with hope change my perspective on my…
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November News: Share Four Somethings
Easing the shock of yet another month all but concluded, I rejoice in a glance back at my November News joining Heather Gerwing 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. The four categories remain the same, something loved, something read or heard, something treasured, and something ahead. The premise…
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