Speaking into the Silence

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We all have stories - not just the little stories of daily life - but stories of who we are and how we have developed into ourselves.

For some, the story spills out all the time for any listening ear. For others, the story comes out in small pieces, but only into the quiet.

Father, button my lips so that I am able to hear the stories of my sisters and brothers. Let my presence be a quiet sanctuary for the words of the silent and suffering.


Five Minute Friday - Today's word was Story. I didn't use all five minutes today. I think I said all the Lord wanted me to say in five little sentences.

Warrior Woman

Welcome to the Five Minute Friday link up. Today's word prompt is brave.

Every woman is a warrior, we fight for the souls we love with every prayer we can muster. But, even a warrior loses their courage at times, the brave warrior feels defeated and hopeless.

These are the moments when we look for reinforcements and muster other brave warriors to pray with us, to come before the throne of the Almighty, the eternal and mighty general who is never defeated. The One who makes us brave, and strong, and restores hope as we continue in the battle.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.




Image: jenniferellison/freedigitalphotos.net

Learning to Pray God's Way

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6-7 

I wanted to talk about prayer today, but thought instead I would send you visiting to another blog for an interesting explanation of the well-know Serenity Prayer.

Linda from Creekside Ministries has a wonderful way of sharing profound thoughts in a succinct and meaningful way. So please stop by and be blessed by Linda and the team at Creekside.

Learning to Let Go

Forgiveness is almost a selfish act because of its immense benefits 

to the one who forgives.

Lawana Blackwell

I think one of the healthiest mental and emotional changes we can make is to learn to let go. Letting go of anger, hurt, old grievances and the past is difficult and sometimes even feels impossible, but can be the start of a new approach to life.

For me, prayer has been the only means of throwing off the load of stuff I've carried along the way.

It is even possible to arrive at the place where not only can I forgive, but can happily see the good things that resulted, not in spite of, but because of the hurts.

It is exciting to discover the joy and emotional release that can accompany learning to let go.


Welcome to the Blogging from A-Z April Challenge 2013. I'm aiming for short, entertaining and occasionally insightful posts. Topics addressing transitions are the goal . . . but we'll see.

Image: victorhabbick/freedigitalphotos

Leaving a Legacy

I have noticed the last few U.S. presidents seem concerned about the type of legacy they will leave behind. While I would rather they just concentrated on their responsibilities as outlined in the Constitution (if you would like to know what those are check here), I realize they are only human, like me, and want to be remembered with appreciation, not abhorrence, when they leave office.

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The legacy I will leave behind has not really been a thought I have considered much. But while reading my Bible today, I came across these verses from Isaiah 44:3-5:

"I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow,  like poplar trees by flowing streams. Some will say, ‘I belong to the Lord'; others will call themselves by the name of Jacob; still others will write on their hand, ‘The Lord's,’  and will take the name Israel."

My legacy is not as important to me as my children's and my children's children's relationship with God. Praying that my children would know and love the Lord was of paramount importance to me as they grew up. Now that they are adults and they do know and love the Lord, I pray different things for them (more about that next week).

I doubt that I will be remembered by many people after I have been gone for a few decades, but I think a legacy I would like to leave behind would be generation after generation of my husband's and my descendants saying, "I belong to the Lord."

Is It Really Only the Beginning of January?

It seems like 2013 has been here for a very, very, long time.

As years go, it really sucks so far.

I can't think of anytime when so many things have gone wrong and so many problems have cropped up in such a tiny amount of time. It's enough to make a woman want to crawl under the bed and stay there until 2014.

But, Transitional Women do not hide under the bed curled up into an itsy-bitsy ball. Besides, there isn't enough room under there.

What Transitional Women do is to pray more and pray harder. They do not let discouragement, dismay and disaster define them or defeat them. They trust in the Lord their God to hold them up and put some steel into their spines.

And today is a better day, so far nothing has gone wrong and a couple of things went great. Maybe there's hope for 2013 after all.


Image: stockimages/freedigitalphotos.net

If You Seek, You Will Find

Five Minute Friday - Look

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul," Deuteronomy 4:29.

How often, as we go through a day dealing with its troubles and trials, do we actually look for God with all of our heart and soul?  When the car won't start, or we spill a bottle of cooking oil on the floor, or an unexpected bill arrives, or we're sick and there's no way we can spend the day in bed?

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In Deuteronomy 4, God promises us we will find Him if we seek Him with all our heart and soul.

How do we seek Him with all our heart and soul?  I don't think I have the answer to that.

Does it mean a second by second communication with Him?  Does it mean long periods of time in prayer and meditation?  How can we do more than just fit God into the small spaces of time we allow Him?

Time's up.  While writing, I brought up questions I need to find the answers to.  I need to think on this for a while to see what God will show me.  What does seeking God with all your heart and soul mean to you?

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community.

Meeting the Challenge

Day 3 of the Blogging From A to Z Challenge gives me the perfect word to write about today, Challenge.

I don't know anyone who is not facing a challenge.

Some of those challenges are internal such as struggling with feeling unappreciated, anxiety, self-doubt, grief or anger.  Other people's challenges are external.  Maybe they're dealing with an estranged relationship, serious illness, financial problems, or employment needs.  Whatever form our challenges take, we all have them.

One of the hardest things about dealing with our challenges can be the feeling of powerlessness we experience.  Some of our challenges occur not because of choices we've made or something we've done.  They occur because of circumstances beyond our control.  For example, if we're involved in a car accident caused by someone else and now have months of rehabilitation ahead, it is going to be a challenge on many levels.  We didn't choose to have this happen, nothing we did caused it, but now we have to deal with the repercussions.

That feeling of powerlessness can lead to feelings of anger, discouragement or helplessness.  But we can't let ourselves go down under the waves of these feelings and drown.

No matter what challenge we're currently facing, a support group or support person can be our lifeline.  Having an advocate, a listening ear or someone to physically help us can make the challenge seem more bearable.

As a Christian, I know I always have someone ready to listen when I feel overwhelmed and someone to take on my challenge and help me walk through it.  I've been a Christian for a long time and know that living for God  does not come with a "Get out of jail free" card.  I face as many and as difficult challenges as anyone else.  But I have a support system that can't be beat.  I might feel like I'm sinking, but I'll never drown, no matter what.

Are you facing any challenges that just seem impossible to deal with?  Write and share.  I'd be happy to pray for you.

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Change of Plans

All morning I had this great idea for what I felt was a funny post.  And I still plan to write it sometime soon, but I changed my mind because of three pieces of news I heard this afternoon.


Three women I know are facing serious surgery.  One, on Wednesday, for  recurring brain cancer.  Another, very soon, possibly this week, for spinal surgery .  The third, date undetermined, for yet another skin cancer, she had one removed last week.

All of them are strong women of faith, but these are heavy crosses to bear.  They may stumble and sometimes fall as they walk these dangerous roads but I know they won't be walking alone.  The one who bore the heaviest cross of all will be carrying their crosses with them.


Pray with me for them this week.




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