"The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of weatlh choke the word, making it unfruitful." ~ Matthew 13:22 This passage from Matthew has always terrified me. I have obsessive-compulsive disorder , which means anxiety is a constant in my life. My brain is hardwired to worry. Does this mean I won't be fruitful? Will the worries of this life choke the word in me? They don't have to. I have a say in

"Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We're going to drown!' He replied, 'You of little faith, why are you so afraid?' Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm." ~ Matthew 8:24-26 A massive winter storm is heading my way as I type. I have plenty of food, water, kerosene for the emergency heater, and power banks

"...I always pray with joy... being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 1:4,6 Twice in my adult life I've had anxiety and panic attacks knock my legs out from under me. The first time it happened as I was nearing menopause in 2022. My therapist credited the fluctuating hormones for kicking the panic up as high as it went, but I actually credit God for letting it get the better of

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." ~ Psalm 27:14 Patience has never been one of my strengths. When I've done the MBTI, or Myers Briggs assessment , I am an SJ, meaning I prefer Sensing and Judging. One characteristic of SJs is acting quickly to solve a problem - we see what's wrong, get initial data, and act quickly on solving the problem as the data indicates. An example of this can be needing to buy a car. The SJ type of person will feel th

"As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ' I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way.'" ~ Mark 1:2 My mother shared with me her suspicion that Dad was developing dementia while we were at lunch one afternoon in 2017. She started the conversation by stating that she didn't want him driving into the city anymore because he "wasn't as sharp as he used to be." They traveled a fair amount both locally and long-distance, having fun exploring and, for Dad, doi

Crying is a healthy way to release hard emotions like grief.

"So I realized that all we can do is be happy and do the best we can while we are still alive. All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we have worked for. It is God's gift." ~ Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 I was a Girl Scout for most of my young life. I enjoyed every minute. We went camping, explored the beach , had lock-ins at the science museum . It was great. Our troop leaders were always coming up with new things to try and we were always up for the experience. One Christma

"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; Seek and you will find; Knock and the door will be opened to you." ~ Luke 11:9 Grief is unsettling, to say the least. As one of Dad's live-in caregivers, my days and nights were laid out according to his schedule, his needs. I knew exactly who I was at any given moment: his caregiver. I started a new job a week after Dad died. I thought it was a great opportunity and I would be happy there. It wasn't great and I wasn't happy.

All marriages have their ups and downs. Mine is no different. I realize, however, the downs are all on me.