Languishing or lingering? A similar phrase caught my eye recently as I thought about this past year and the effects of the pandemic. Am I languishing in my time with God, or am I lingering and enjoying His presence? I like to start each morning with sitting and staring, with quiet, listening, lingering. It readies me to read; it readies […]
Every January, I ask God to give me a word that describes the focus He has for me that year. This year my word—a phrase, actually—is pull back. I believe He wants me to pull back from things that are not in line with His purpose for me. God continues to clarify for me how He defines […]
Our friendship with Sandy started when she was a student at the University of Illinois in 1972. She has been a gift to us ever since. Her heart for God and her love for others have continued to shine through all the chapters of her life. Jump ahead 27 years to 1999, a busy year […]
As we arrived at our cabin last summer, the weather report predicted several rainy days. That was good news for me. I just wanted to sit, to be, to do nothing! Nothing seemed good. The account of creation recorded in Genesis reports, In the beginning God created . . . .The earth was formless and empty . . . .And the Spirit of God was […]
The coronavirus restrictions are changing me. Good things are resulting from staying at home. These are re-setting weeks. God’s Spirit is with me, making itself known in the quietness of these at-home days. When the pandemic has passed, I hope I don’t return to my former ways! Many of the “ahas” I’m observing rest in […]
“Older women still need older women.” I don’t remember when I first wrote those words in my journal. As I’ve continued my journey and can now claim “older”status, I know for sure that God whispered an important truth to me that day, and it has resonated ever since. Discipleship—encouraging others in their walk with God—is not […]
Editor’s Note: The following is from Sue Tell’s weekly blog at suetell.com. Two years ago this month, the text came. Ezra suffered a seizure and is in the ER. Twelve weeks in pediatric-ICU, five ambulance rides, and four hospitals later Ezra came home. Many of my blog readers continue to ask about our precious “grand.” Thank you so […]
The small “stroke” in Bill’s optic nerve came suddenly and unannounced. When he woke up that Tuesday morning in March 2018, his left eye saw large, dark shapes moving around. Our ophthalmologist quickly made room in his schedule to see Bill and discovered a swollen optic nerve. He ordered a series of tests, but none provided […]
“Oh, you shouldn’t have.” As I was growing up, I often heard those words when a gift was given. Receiving can be hard. But as Christmas is the season of giving, so Christmas must also be the season of receiving. And sometimes, receiving is transformational. As I think about receiving in my life, three instances […]
It was the last few days of two weeks at Sanctuary, our small cabin buried deep among the pines of the Wet Mountains. It’s the place my husband and I go to refresh and refuel. One day I received texts from two different friends, both sharing their great weariness. They were in the midst of people, […]
