Category: Words

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Words

The Heart of the Matter

The week before she died, Lydia and I visited Mom and Dad in Florida. I’ll be forever grateful to the Lord for those four days together. One day, in a brief moment of reflection, Mom mentioned how each of her kids is like her in certain ways.

Her words felt somewhat like a blessing, so I committed them to memory: Mom looked at me and said, “Livi, is bold and strong, but kind. Patrick, he’s got my sense of humor. Now, Micah is the most like me. Not much gets in his way. But you, you have my heart.”

It is cool to see how my parents’ traits are spread across each of us. We all love learning and are uniquely creative. We all rise to the occasion and use our strengths to help people. Let me explain… I’m the second oldest, but I’ll write about myself last.

To start, the picture above is one of my favorites. It was taken right before Dave and I (right) moved to Fargo in 2010. We were so young, lol! Up top is Patrick, then Olivia, and Micah, next to me.

Olivia is the firstborn and a great leader. Livi always went before us and prepared the way. Even now, she can pull the ‘big sister’ card, and we all fall in line. She also didn’t balk too much when I tagged along. She has always been gracious and patient with me!

Coming in third, Patrick is so funny. He clearly has my mom’s quick wit and way with words. Pat is full of one-liners and movie quotes. Pat is super smart but humble. He can be serious and deep, but we all appreciate his lighthearted joy. 

My youngest brother, Micah, has the best mix of Mom’s fire and Dad’s drive. As a classic strong-willed child, he most certainly required the most discipline—perhaps more than the three of us older kids combined! Yet, this has served him well, as he is very responsible, playful, and a good friend. I love seeing how God has matured Micah over time.

I am perhaps Mom and Dad’s most compliant one on the surface. Cheerful, quiet, and patient, I’m go-with-the-flow… more cerebral, like Dad. However, internally, I can also be equally stubborn and “particular.” I want to do what is right and will stand on principle! As a child, I was fairly emotional, but I learned to hide my feelings at times. Somehow, I thought showing emotions was a weakness, and I did not fully realize the error until years later when God went to war against all my fears.

Through my grief journey, Mom was impressed by my resilience. Our weaknesses can become great strengths if we let God work in our lives. In my case, I dug deep and clung to Jesus as He remade me! During this time, He graciously showed Mom and me some problems in understanding each other. Our differences were getting the best of us.

God challenged us to get to the heart of the matter. Moving past our annoyances and personality quirks, we soon discovered that we shared the same passion for those in need! Our hearts were one regarding compassion and serving others. We might go about doing things differently, but we often arrived at the same conclusions! Isn’t God good?!

Mom was always quick to tell us how proud she was of us. In the same way, make sure you tell your loved ones how much you appreciate them. Spend time together and challenge each other to grow. Focus on the good, and don’t take your time for granted.

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Father God, thanks for all Your blessings. Thanks for challenging us and infusing our weaknesses with Your strength. Give us wisdom and courage as we share Your heart with the World. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you more like your mom or your dad… Or, are you a really good blend of their traits? How do you resolve conflicts with others who are different than you?

Tasks: Listen to this song. Thank God for His blessings and favor!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fruit, Gratitude, Kindness, Little Free Library, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Wisdom, Words

Be Kind, Not Just Nice

My mom, Debbie, had what some people have called the face of an angel. Funny, I know! But several people have told me that lately, and Mom also heard that often. 😀 I suppose people think “cherub” when considering the unique shape of her face combined with her cheerful, sunny side! She looked so sweet and nice.

That said, Mom was often vocal about things that mattered to her. Not content just to talk, she often got involved, too! She volunteered at various places, including women’s shelters and pregnancy centers. She loved being hands-on.

For instance, Mom volunteered at our local schools for many years as a “mother helper,” even after her kids were out of those grades. Perhaps she was most passionate about listening to kids practice their reading. She patiently would help them “sound it out,” and she would call out their other strengths. In some ways, she was the parent they needed at the time. One boy struggled throughout school and did not seem to have much support at home. But, he always reminded himself that Mrs. Yeagle believed in him. As an adult, he later tracked Mom down to thank her for the difference she made in his life. He didn’t know how he would’ve made it otherwise.

Volunteering is good and nice—absolutely. Being community-focused is vital. But there is a difference between being nice and being kind.

Romans 2:4 explains that “the kindness of God leads us to repentance.” Mom demonstrated this whenever “Debbie Torpedo” came around. She wasn’t just nice, she was also kind. She spoke the truth in love so people would change. (Change doesn’t usually occur with badgering and belittling!)

Being nice is not a fruit of the Spirit, but kindness is! An example of being nice is complimenting someone. Kindness is letting them know they have a piece of spinach in their teeth. It is nice to greet someone on a hike. Kindness means telling them they are walking directly toward a tricky drop-off. They may still choose to proceed, but you warned them. More importantly, telling people about Jesus’ love and the consequences of sin can impact their eternity. It is worth the risk!

Mom often influenced other women as they parented their young children. When a mom caved at her child’s whining or temper tantrum, my mom would say, “You wouldn’t let me treat you that way. Why are you letting your three-year-old act like that? Be the parent.” Usually, the woman caught on and learned how to correct her child. Mom would coach her until she was confident, explaining that it is good for children to have boundaries.

The tough love approach can be intimidating sometimes. It takes a lot of courage to speak up! But Mom empowered these ladies to do what was needed. She showed them what they could be, and many of them thanked her later.

As a mother myself, I appreciate good advice. Thankfully, Mom didn’t have to tell me to “be the parent” specifically, but I have seen these situations fester. Over time, a child might stop being invited somewhere if they don’t behave well. This affects their future friendships and opportunities. A child that lacks discipline becomes a hindrance and a liability of sorts. Frankly, they are not fun to be around! So, my mom was doing a kindness in pointing that out to those who would listen.

Bottom line: Being nice is a good start. But niceness is not enough. We must also accept the challenge of being kind.

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God, thanks for Your lovingkindness. Thanks for loving us enough to correct us when we need it. Help us be wise with our words so we may be kind and draw people to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What would it look like for you to speak with kindness today? What if God was only nice to us, not kind? (I find that to be a little scary!)

Tasks: Consider your words before speaking. Think through whether the situation calls for being nice or being kind. If you don’t know, ask the Lord to show you!

 

Posted on in Being Gracious, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Personality, Wisdom, Words

Debbie Torpedo

Well, it’s been about a week and a half since my mom, Debbie, went to Heaven. I miss her so much and know I’m not the only one. She was like a mother figure to many people. Mom took many people under her wing and encouraged them. She was gifted at identifying their strengths and helping them grow into who God made them to be.

My family has received many messages from people about how Mom changed the course of their family’s life. She taught a friend to pray in public; now that friend’s son is a pastor. Mom challenged another woman to love her husband by making time for him. That marriage has never been stronger. Mom mentored many and called us all a little higher.

Mom knew how to get right to the heart of the matter. Although she sometimes spoke harsh truths, she did it with love and grace. Her conviction was always mixed with witty charm. I don’t know anyone else who could do that like she did!


Most of us would just keep quiet despite seeing a glaringly obvious problem in someone else. Not Mom. If she loved you, she would not let it go. She would speak up so you could make it right. She was a force, but came from a place of love. Mom wanted the best for and expected the best from her friends and family.

Mom did not worry whether someone liked her. She gave tons of compliments but would also risk telling someone the truth. She did not do it to demean or gloat, but to correct an error. In essence, she loved you too much to leave you that way.

Mom looked sweet, but she could pack a wallop when needed. One of her favorite lines was, “Don’t let the freckles fool you!” Similarly, a dear family friend called her “Debbie Torpedo”—because you never saw it coming!

If you’ve experienced “being laid flat” as I like to say, I’m happy to report that God really refined my Mom over many decades of walking with Him. When I was little, she was still working on controlling her fiery temper… So, I know how it feels! But, as my parents and siblings often discussed later as adults, it was just the forge we needed.

Mom and Dad didn’t set out to raise weak kids who would flounder in the real world. My parents have been through some tough circumstances, and they wanted to prepare us. So they taught us first about Jesus and second about showing up and doing hard things. They promoted independence and standing on our own two feet.


My parents held us to high standards and expected us to rise to that level. For every gift we received, we wrote a thank you note. She would tear it up if it weren’t “thankful enough” or legible, and we would have to start over. We can laugh about it now, but there were many tears. 😉

Mom and Dad didn’t ask us to do anything they weren’t already doing. They lead by example. Mom was well known for writing cards to people. She cultivated this discipline over decades. When her arthritis flared up and she was in so much pain (often daily), she would reach out and bless others.

Indeed, I have learned so much from my mom. At the end of her life (though we did not see it coming), Mom, aka “Debbie Torpedo” still had some of that fire, yet her faith in Jesus tempered it. She was born a fighter, but He made her into a warrior. She did not blame Jesus for the pain or complain about it. She praised Him and blessed others. That’s an example worth following!

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God, You are so good and wise. Thanks for working in each of our lives and transforming us. May we submit to You and use our strengths for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions:  Have you ever had someone speak a harsh truth to you? Was it done in love or spite? Did you resist change or did you grow through the process?

Task: If you want to read my mom’s obituary but haven’t, here it is.

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Finding Grace Weekly Recap, Fruit, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perfectionism, Pivot, Prayer, Travel, Words, Worship

Finding Grace #455

You may have seen the acronym GRACE as God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Grace is also God’s unmerited favor, or God doing for us what we cannot.

I find grace overflowing with God’s love, joy, peace, blessings, mercy, power, provision, protection, and wisdom. Thank You, Jesus!

Free Forest Path photo and picture

Where did I find God’s love and favor—His abundant grace—this week?!

This week was thankfully less busy than the last two.

Sundays have been more relaxing since we’ve been attending the early church service. We’ve had time to prepare for the next week at a slower pace. It feels like a longer day and I feel more refreshed!

Work was a bit slower, though still steady. I simply had less patients scheduled but still got a lot of things done. It was nice to have a lighter load. As such, I had time to call some extra patients and finish a few small projects.

We received a few inches of snow on Tuesday night and Wednesday. I did a little shoveling but left the main part for the snow service. It is nice to have them come help me, though I still do a fair amount of work throughout the season!

Lydia’s birthday was on Thursday, and she was tickled by the special letter I wrote for her! She wanted to go to dinner and then watch a movie at home with some ice cream. In a way, we have already been celebrating for a week or two. That’s becaue she received various gifts when my mother-in-law visited and through the mail from family.

Friday after work, I ran a few errands and then called my mom to catch up. We had a great time chatting and it is always so encouraging. Later, my dad called to say hi, too. I always appreciate those calls!

Today, we saw Wicked (part 1) at the movie theater. I saw the Broadway production years ago, but it was fun to introduce Lydia to it. In fact, I like Wicked better than the Wizard of Oz! The movie version had some fun cameos and great music. The flying monkeys were still a little scary, though!

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These are only a few examples, but God’s grace never runs out!

There’s grace in every situation—we just need to look for it. God promises if we seek Him, we will find Him (see Jeremiah 29:13)!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Personality, Prayer, Wisdom, Words

A Letter to Lydia

Lydia’s having another birthday this week! As we enter the teenage years, I am grateful for God bringing us this far. When she was little, I wondered how I’d be able to parent her as a single mom. I knew I needed God’s help and prayed for just that. He has been such a faithful Father and provider!

Lydia is kind and thoughtful, funny and intelligent. She is a good listener and friend. She is growing in responsibility and learning to handle tough topics with wisdom. She is the perfect blend of Dave’s strengths and mine. Watching her grow into a young lady who loves Jesus has been an honor. If I could only have one child, I am so glad it is Lydia!

I was recently reminded of some of the fantastic prayers in the Bible. The prayers consist of many things, including praises to God, blessings, deep anguish, repentance, wisdom, and encouragement, among various requests.

Did you know you can personalize certain prayers by adding your own name? We pray to God, but we can use them for our benefit, too. In essence, we are applying God’s Word of Truth, agreeing with Him, and taking it to heart. I will use Lydia’s name below as an example in a birthday letter. But feel free to use your own name in the Scriptures!

Here are just a few of the verses I am drawing from today:

2 Thessalonians 1:11 says, “With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”

Ephesians 1:17-19 says, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe…”

Numbers 6:24-26 says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Dear Lydia,

I am so proud of you! I am grateful God gave me you. I love who He made you to be.

I pray you will always choose faith and pray first thing. You don’t ‘have to’ be afraid or settle for ‘safe.’ Instead, you can have confidence in trials, knowing God will never leave you nor forsake you. God is with you and for you! Seek Him first in all you do, and everything else will fall into place.

Lydia, I pray God enables you to live worthy of your calling. May He give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then God’s name will be honored in the way you live. All this is possible because of His grace working in your life.

May you rely on the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.

Lydia, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

Draw close to Jesus, for He is your life, strength, and joy. He who began this work in you will be faithful in completing it. Therefore, Lydia, never grow tired of doing what is right and good. Keep moving forward! XO 

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Heavenly Father, thanks for all Your many blessings. Help Lydia as she continues to grow. May she always feel your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What are you reading about in the Bible this week? What is the best birthday gift you have ever received?

Task: Add your name, where applicable, to Bible verses and prayers of encouragement. We are not trying to elevate ourselves or take the focus off Jesus… but I hope it helps you apply His word and move forward in your faith!

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Words

Words Can Change Your Brain

I recently saw both a social media post and an article about a book, Words Can Change Your Brain. Certain neuroscientists have conducted several studies, and the book compiles part of their research. One quote stuck out to me: “A single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.”

The post mentioned how any negative word or phrase you think or say during a workout (or trial) makes stress hormones in your body, hindering your progress. Thoughts of worry, fear, or inferiority can scramble neurochemicals and reinforce what you are thinking. In this context, the word “NO” shuts things down. “I can’t. This is too hard.” Our brain does not correctly distinguish between fact and fantasy – it just assumes the worst, that there is a valid threat!

However, one positive word can make all the difference. For example, “YES” is full of possibilities! It reduces stress and turns on genes and neurochemicals for our well-being. We make more adrenaline, dopamine, epinephrine, and endorphins to help us overcome the challenge.

Over the weekend, I applied this to lifting weights and found it helpful! I felt good and did more reps than usual with a higher weight. I will keep it in mind moving forward!

This made me think of other reasons to check our thoughts. Our brain chooses either a path of faith or fear. It cannot choose both at the same time. “YES” often correlates with faith, while “NO” tends to run with fear. I’m not talking about those times when we need to set healthy boundaries but rather when trying something new, which can be scary! We must face our fear to move past it.

Instead of ruminating on our thoughts (negative or positive), we can meditate on God’s Word. There are so many wonderful verses… His Word is the best!

Here are some faith-filled Scripture verses to consider:

John 1:1-5 (NIV), “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Romans 8:31 (NIV), “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV), “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV), “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”

1 John 4:18 (NIV), “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

God, in His infinite wisdom, programmed our brains to run on faith, love, joy, peace, and hope. We can trust that He has good things in store for us. He is our YES and AMEN. We don’t have to choose fear!

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Heavenly Father, thanks for taking such good care of us. Thanks for teaching us Your ways. Help us keep moving forward in faith; may we stand firm against fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What is your favorite Bible verse? How can you use it to grow your faith?

Tasks: Replace fearful thoughts with faith-filled thoughts. Next time you face a challenge, say “YES” and watch God’s power work through you!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Pivot, Wisdom, Words

On Peace vs. Chaos

For the last two mornings, I woke up earlier than my alarm. I thought about returning to bed, but I decided I probably wouldn’t get much rest. Then, the Holy Spirit has reminded me that I requested extra time in my day to Journible through the book of Galatians. I decided to just go with it!

Even though I am trying to go to bed earlier, I have still been a little short on sleep. But, I know if God wakes me up, then He will cover me. His mercies are new every morning, and His grace is sufficient!

So far, I have spent about twenty minutes copying God’s Word before heading downstairs to exercise. Sometimes, just taking the first step is the most important thing! It has felt good to start my day in a peaceful manner, and it has set my whole day off on a good path!

Galatians is about the Apostle Paul setting early Christians straight and clarifying some significant issues that were creeping in and causing chaos. Some thought they had to keep all the former Jewish laws and were trying to enforce them on others. However, Paul writes about God’s gospel of grace, found in Jesus’ death and resurrection alone.

It’s not about doing more; it’s about drawing close. Nothing more, nothing less.

Free Mountains Lake photo and picture

In light of Jesus’ Good News of grace and forgiveness, there is a stark difference between peace and chaos. Sometimes, chaos results from personal choices, and sometimes, it happens to us (cancer or 9/11 or grief, for example). Chaos feels inevitable if we don’t actively pursue peace. Yes, we must challenge ourselves to remain at peace!

Over the years, I have seen a disturbing pattern. People around me living in chaos, unable to find true peace. They run all over trying a million things, ignoring the Prince of Peace, Jesus. Sadly, the chaos often spills over to affect their families and others around them. Indeed, their poor decisions can impact generations after them in a ripple effect.

Signs of peace may include quiet, clarity, harmony, unity, joy, gratitude, generosity, patience, rest, and a slower pace. Sticking with something long-term and not giving up just because it is difficult indicates a sense of peace. To some, peace may align with boredom, but it brings freedom and space for doing life’s essentials. Not rushing around means I can maintain my priorities and have flexibility in my schedule.

Chaos may come with noise, confusion, distraction, fear, anxiety, anger, blame, flashiness, busyness, frenetic speed, and exhaustion. Ideals and commitments are often tossed aside. Frequently switching jobs, relationships, vehicles, or jobs (chasing novelty) may indicate chaos. There is nothing wrong with novelty, but it can’t be the main thing.

Peace involves guarding your heart, while the trainwreck of chaos causes major heartbreak. I have seen people panic and make huge mistakes that ruined their careers, marriages, and reputations. Some have even lost their homes. Yes, there is forgiveness, but people don’t forget or trust again so easily, and they have struggled to make their comeback. But, there is hope in the midst of turmoil.

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.” This verse is from Nahum 1:7, but we see God calling us to Him all throughout Scripture. Jesus said His peace is different from any ‘sense’ of peace the world offers (overused words like self-care and wellness come to mind… good to a point, but not the final solution!).

In another letter/book, Paul tells us to “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15). This means we must give all the chaos to Jesus and let Him calm our hearts. We must give Him full reign and let Him dictate our course.

I sure don’t do everything perfectly, but I am determined to maintain my God-given sense of peace, whatever the cost. That means staying close to Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit. Asking for His input first, not just making my own assumptions.

Jesus promised us His very own peace, a gift from the Holy Spirit, who lives in those who follow Christ. He planted the spiritual fruit of peace, but we must cultivate it in the right environment. I’m grateful that He is faithful and trustworthy to help us! If we let Him!

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God, thanks for Your overwhelming peace, which anchors me! Help me move at Your pace so that I can maintain my peace. Let my gratitude, generosity, and grace grow so I can spread Your peace to others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Are you in a season of plentiful peace or constant chaos? What are you doing about it?

Tasks: Be humble and check your heart. Let God lead and make any changes with a joyful heart.

Posted on in Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Personality, Pivot, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Four Kinds of Sight

My friend and coworker – the other Natalie! – posted a link online yesterday encouraging people to watch and listen. It was a recent homily from Father Mike Schmitz, a priest in Duluth. I am not Catholic, but I can learn from anyone. And, I appreciate hearing about different branches of Christianity. We can always come back to the commonalities we have in Jesus!

We have many deep and spiritual conversations in our downtime, so I gave it a go! I am glad I did. Father Mike referenced the Israelites complaining out in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt. We sometimes think they were fools, but we are much the same.

Father Mike talked about four different kinds of spiritual sight or vision. This has less to do with our actual eyes and more with our attitude or heart. I will only capture the main points here, with a few of my own thoughts, but I strongly encourage you to listen. It’s really good!

To start, Father Mike mentioned that we become short-sighted when we can only see what’s right in front of us. That might include focusing on our circumstances, such as grief, problems, or lack. In these moments, we refuse to admit there is more beyond what we see right now. We grow impatient, place blame, and want to give up or return to our comfort zone. Egyptian slavery wasn’t all that great either, but at least the Israelites knew what to expect!

Free Sinai Desert photo and picture

He then talked about having foresight when we want to know the future. It is fine to look forward knowing the best is yet to come. The problem is that we fail to appreciate and trust all God has done. We just want answers… and to skip ahead of the pain! Instead of worrying, we can rest and lean on Jesus. He is faithful and good.

His third example is relying on hindsight. This occurs when we look backward. Instead of reflecting and learning to move forward, we stay stuck in the past. If we only trust in what we can see or know, that’s not really trust or hope. We have to learn and let go to keep growing.

Finally, Father Mike said the only real option is using insight. Insight happens when we slow down to gain Jesus’ perspective and see what He is doing. We acknowledge the trials and accept His presence. We understand God has led us where we are, and He has not abandoned us. It might be dark or crazy, but He will help us get through it. We can wait for Him to move on our behalf. 

There’s so much more I didn’t jot down here, but I hope you are blessed as much as I was. After listening, I thanked Natalie for sharing the link, and we chatted about which of these ‘four sights’ we most relate to right now. I appreciate having friends and coworkers who know Jesus because we can pray for and encourage one another. God is so good!

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God, thanks for being with us in every stage of life. Thanks for leading us and giving us vision. Help us see You clearly and follow You wholeheartedly. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: What type of sight do you relate to most right now?

Task: Listen to the homily linked above. It is about twenty minutes long. I’d love to know your thoughts after!

Posted on in Food and Nutrition, Fruit, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Words

A “Walk-By Fruiting”

Recently, I had a really funny patient who wanted to make some nutrition changes. He loves cooking and preparing meals for his family, which is good because he said his wife only knows how to order pizza for her turn in the kitchen!

This Veteran made me laugh and certainly had unique ways of saying things. For instance, he said that butter means love in his family. So, when someone makes potatoes or toast (or whatever!), they “add a little love.” He had been “adding a lot of love” based on his lab work! Yet, he had already made a break with butter by the time we met. He was still using some but had reduced it.

He also “had a feeling” for Baby Ruth candy bars since he associates them with comfort and good memories of his youth. Regarding my recommendations, the Veteran was willing to get rid of something else, if needed, and leave those alone. I was 100% okay with that since he is not eating too many.

Finally, he used the phrase “walk-by fruiting” to describe the little basket of fresh fruit in their walkway between the kitchen and living room. If he is hungry, he can grab a piece of fruit as he walks by! It makes total sense, right?!

March is National Nutrition Month, and of course, fruit is food! But, fruit is also used to describe evidence of growing closer to God and becoming like Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Words matter, and I have been thinking of walk-by fruitings ever since!

Whenever I read my Bible or hear a verse from Scripture, I will think… walk-by fruiting! It’s catchy and encouraging! Whenever I reconnect with God during my day to find new strength… yes, that’s a walk-by fruiting!

I am also reminded that one of my friends had a funny word for extra food after a meal. Many of us call them leftovers, but he called them “remainders” like he learned when doing long division in math class. Spot on, really!

That is not too much of a stretch here. Jesus calls us to remain in Him; in doing so, we will bear much fruit. Just by staying connected, we can’t help but grow. Conversely, if we cut ourselves off, our faith will wither and die. It’s not really about doing more but resting in God’s love. Jesus has already done the most difficult work on the Cross.

Remaining in Jesus is a matter of the heart as we let Him position us where He wants us. So, let’s remain close to Jesus because we have Life and Victory in Him!

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Father, thanks for showing us new things daily through the people we meet. Open our eyes and hearts so we can learn and grow. Help us stay close to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: Does your family have any cute sayings that have carried through the years?

Task: As you connect with God throughout your day, think about the growth that will occur over time. It takes diligence and intention, but I hope you are encouraged and keep coming back for walk-by fruitings!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Prayer, Words, Worship

Praise Him Anywhere

On my way to work yesterday, I heard the song “Praise You Anywhere“ by Brandon Lake. It’s a good song, but I hadn’t paid much attention to it until yesterday. I sat in my car for a few minutes, thinking about various places I could praise God.

I like to sing in the shower, in the car, and while cooking. I’m sure there are other places I worship God, but I haven’t thought much about it lately. Sometimes, I like to just be quiet and feel His presence.

That said, I don’t have to sing in order to praise God! I often thank God for various things, either out loud or in my heart. I might praise Him for the weather, or a kindness I perceived. I may thank Him for light traffic or meeting someone else’s needs. I pray blessings of over people I love dearly and complete strangers I see as I go about my day.

I love that praise can be a part of prayer, which is just talking to God. I like to check in and pray at meal times, when I wake up and go to bed.

Currently, I am thanking God for sending us less snow than usual. I’m sure we will get plenty of it soon, but it has been helpful for my current role at work. The cold weather is important and beneficial at the same time. There is beauty to be found in every season!

With the winter we’ve had lately, my sister sent a picture of a sun dog. We see them a lot in North Dakota, but she hadn’t seen one for a while in Illinois, where she still lives. It was a praiseworthy thing to photograph!

I love what Psalm 113 says about praise. Here is part of verses 1-3:

Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you his servants; praise the name of the Lord.

Let the name of the Lord be praised, both now and forevermore.

From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Praising God doesn’t have to be awkward. Really, it is the most natural thing we can do. If you don’t know what to say or do, start with what you see. Tell Jesus how thankful you are for objects in your environment. Next, move through the other physical senses (hearing, touch, smell, taste, and proprioception). Make it a full-body experience!

Then, tell Him how you feel emotionally. Praise Him for His help, provision, healing, and anything else that comes to mind. If you are struggling, that’s okay. He understands. Praise Him anyway!

We were created for a relationship with our Heavenly Father. Whether you sing or talk, you don’t need fancy words! Just bring your heart!

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God, we praise You! You alone are worthy. Help us praise and worship You with our whole hearts and all of our gratitude. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Where do you like to sing or praise God? Do you find it easy or a bit awkward?

Tasks: As you go about your day, look for ways to praise God. Consider tracking your praises and see how long your list gets! For another great Brandon Lake song, check out “Gratitude.” Praise Him anywhere!