Hustle. Build. Grow. Increase. Work. Network. Sleep when you’re dead. No time for rest. Hustle. Hustle. Hustle. Every message around me was about the hustle. I was exhausted just reading the bombardment of messages. I had gone through the trainings. Countless books were scattered across my desk. I was doing what the gurus said, but the promised increase was not happening. I sat praying, “God, would you bless my work? Would you begin to open doors for me? And if this is not the road you want me to pursue, please change the dreams in my heart.” While the reply was not audible, I ... Read the Post
Just Jump
I’ll never forget that day. The anticipation began to build as we walked toward the ladder. My excitement rose higher as I climbed up, reaching a fever pitch when I stood in the open air. The sun’s rays warmed my skin as the seemingly perfect, gentle breeze kept me from feeling overheated. When I slowly reached the edge, I looked down. I had watched my friends do it and couldn’t wait to take my turn… that is until it actually was my turn. I’ve always had an irrational fear of heights. I experience this sensation that something is trying to pull me over the edge and yank me down toward ... Read the Post
Lesson in a Nest
Our house is in a woods, so my family and I have ample opportunities to observe nature. Squirrels, bats, mice, groundhogs, deer, possum and even an occasional red fox have made appearances around our home. Not to mention the countless varieties of birds that frequent the trees nearby. One of my favorite forest visitors are barn swallows. Nearly every year a swallow couple will build a nest on one of our downspouts. I’ll always remember our first pair. Shortly after their nest was constructed, I stealthily climbed to a spot where I could see inside without making mother bird too upset. ... Read the Post
Writers on the Edge
Thirteen years ago I wrote my first novel. A step of faith that I never thought possible. Our pastor asked us do “something” for forty days. That “something” could be working out, dating our spouse, speaking positive words, stopping a bad habit, etc. It needed to be a step of faith into an area God wanted us to push through—something uncomfortable, difficult and life-changing. Mine happened to be to write a book. I wrote half the book in the forty days, and it took me a few more months to finish it. My anticipation leveled out at maximum as I sent my book out to publishers. ... Read the Post
My Cup Runneth Over
After three breast biopsies and a mammogram, I wanted to hear good news. The news would not be good for me in early 2002. I had breast cancer. There was that dreaded word no one wants to hear. I was in a tailspin wanting to know how and why this was happening to me. I kept thinking about the 23 Psalm (KJV) and the first line: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.” I wanted to be free of this disease and not have to deal with it. “He leadeth me besides the still waters.” The waters would not be still for I had a long road of recovery ahead of me. I knew that Jesus was always with ... Read the Post