Number my days

January is my birthday month. Today, I’m reflecting on Psalm 90:12 (NIV):  “Teach us to number our days,  that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” I think about the time I’ve already lived. On Sunday, it will be 19,710 days.  That number surprises me. It in itself, doesn’t seem very large, but when I…

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A new name

At an animal shelter, we looked through the glass windows studying the names and faces. Each cubical reflected affectionate looks silently screaming, Choose me, PLEASE! Some dogs had stories, others had no known background. Our gaze met with blue eyes. I chuckled at the sight of him. “Is he a little cross-eyed? He looks like Kevin from the…

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Life lessons from the South

Once a year, I go on a girls trip with my best friend, Julieann, whom I call “Buddy.” We’ve been friends for over 38 years. This year’s trip was to South Carolina and Georgia. Every time I’m with her, I inadvertently learn new life lessons and discover a deeper dimension within. First, the life lessons…

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Sitting in the void

 Zorro, full of life and wearing a black bandit mask, rescued us in 2011. Over a decade of doing life together, he filled spaces in our hearts with love—places we didn’t know that needed tender loving care. So as Zorro’s hips began to weaken over the past few months, David and I honored him each…

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I wouldn’t change a thing.

An older (or shall I say, wiser) friend texted me yesterday.  As we exchanged words, we landed on how time is fleeting. Mesmerized by her response, I lingered. “I wouldn’t change a thing.” So many questions came to mind. Does she live without regrets?  How does one get to a point of such acceptance of…

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When all joy is lost

Laughter abounded while visiting with my friend.  We shared deeply.  Tears formed. I felt her sufferings. Some I hadn’t experienced, others were close to my heart. Life has an ebb and flow; happiness and heartache. And the two can merge like serene ocean and hurricane ravaged land. It can feel like you’ve lost your joy…

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Tend

I was listening to Lectio 365 which is an app that shares a daily devotion in the morning and evening.  I’ve been journeying with Pete Greig, Pastor and founder of Lectio 365, who’s on a three-week pilgrimage through Scotland.  This week, Pastor Greig read from Genesis where God created man, put him in the Garden…

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I received a coin

He listened intently as I shared my story. He stepped back into time with me and was there in that moment. I looked at him as I finished sharing. His eyes were filled with emotion. Blinking away tears he said, “You did it. You didn’t hesitate. You didn’t freeze up. You were able to defend…

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Reading each other’s journals

We were headed home from Tennessee, preparing ourselves to step back into reality. Buddy handed me her journal—her heart placed on pages describing our week together. I handed her mine. I cracked open the beautiful book, noticing her incredible penmanship. I sunk into my chair knowing that mine looked like scattered thoughts, scratch marks, and…

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