Steadiness in Changing Seasons

/
Steadiness in Changing Seasons

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

Spring turned into summer, and summer has turned into fall. I’m not completely sure how it all happened so fast. Time does fly.

I sit staring out the balcony window as leaves flutter from the trees in bright hues of gold, orange, and red. The temperature is 68 degrees (today’s high), and it will be followed by a low of 43 degrees tonight. I don’t know what your dream temperature is, but these days are like heaven to me. I would like for it to stay like this forever. But nothing in this life remains the same. It is ever changing––leaving us with the before and after.

Read More

Glorious Hope in Despair

/
Glorious Hope in Despair

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1 NASB)

My hands tremble and my body shakes uncontrollably as the cold air of loss blows deep into the hollows of my soul. Like a broken record, I keep hearing the words, “He has passed…He has passed.” In my mind, I’m running away. It’s as though my heart has grown feet and they leap in response to the runner’s gunshot as I speed to out-run my opponent—in this case, reality.

Read More

Finding Provision in Praise

/
Finding Provision in Praise

“Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises!” (Psalm 47:6 NKJV)

Anxious thoughts and an unsteady heart propelled me to my quiet place on the porch. Sitting in the old, paint-peeled rocking chair, I slowly began rocking as I opened my Bible. I plead with God to give me the words to pray because I felt empty.

Read More

When I Need Comfort

/
When I Need Comfort

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you”. (John 14:18 KJV)

In times of uncertainty, we look for someone to tell us that we’re going to be okay. We want assurance that we’re going to make it through to the other side and be better for it. For me, that woman was my grandmother. And, according to my recollection, my grandmother was a towering woman.

Read More

Three Keys After a Chronic Illness Diagnosis

/
Three Keys After a Chronic Illness Diagnosis

After receiving a chronic illness diagnosis of Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Chronic Fatigue Disorder, my world as I knew it shattered. Joy, excitement, and happiness were replaced by shock, fear, disillusionment, and despair.

Waking to a broken body, mind, and spirit at the young age of twenty-six-years-old left me reeling,
What will this mean for my present and my future? What will it cost personally and financially? The loss of independence and dreams seemed daunting.

Read More

Beautifully Broken: The Chronic Illness Diagnosis

/
Beautifully Broken: The Chronic Illness Diagnosis

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 12:24-25 KJV)

I stepped into the doctor’s office with trepidation. I had read enough online to be almost certain of the looming diagnosis. Honestly, I had avoided setting the appointment earlier in hopes that the symptoms would disappear, or miraculous healing would occur.

Read More

Finding God’s Provision in Panic

/
Finding God’s Provision in Panic

“And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.” (Exodus 13:21 ESV)

Slowing to a stop, I began surveying my surroundings. Cars blocked me on all sides. My breathing became shallow, my heart rate quickened, and my clammy hands clutched the steering wheel––with tunnel vision, my head swam. I was stuck!

Read More

The God Who Hears Our Cries

/
The God Who Hears Our Cries

"This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:6 KJV)

Looking into the mirror, the dark under-eye circles were evident on my thinning face. I hardly recognized the gaunt person staring back at me as I questioned how much weight I had lost. The totality of the loss was sinking in.

Read More

Trembling Faith: When Doubt Begins to Whisper

/
Trembling Faith: When Doubt Begins to Whisper

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ESV)

A lady once shared her testimony of healing from cancer. She attributed it to ”trusting and never doubting.” At the time, I was in a dry, barren wilderness and could see no way out. I was trembling. I was questioning everything I believed. Honestly, I was wavering. I thought, “Oh well, there goes my miracle. I’m never getting out of this pit.”

Read More