A Big Shy-Girl Fail

In 2009, as a student at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, I tried out for the school worship teams. Now, this was a big deal.

I was scared to death, but I felt God wanted me to try out. I was one of about a hundred students who came that rainy night in Redding. No one knew what songs we would have to sing. We were on the big Bethel stage and worship leader Stephanie Gretzinger handed me sheet music to a song I had never heard. The music started and I gasped nothing into the mic. I was overwhelmingly embarrassed; felt old; felt dumb; felt small; felt uncool. I stepped off the stage past the judges and so many young, talented witnesses.

I still can’t believe I did that.

But here's the rest of the story. Since that failure, I've had to brave many new things. As a result of that and other trials and errors, I've come to know who I am and what I'm called to. I dream more dreams and embrace opportunities. I fear less. I create!

I changed that night I trusted God. My big fail had purpose.

So, I challenge you. What crazy risk are you afraid to take? Is it too big a price to pay to see your destiny unfold? (I pray right now this is speaking to someone.)

My book, Tapestry - The Divine Design For Your Life is available on Amazon. 

I'm Grace-full!

I just got back from the gym. Yes. Me. At. The. Gym.

I've never been one for indoor exercise. I love bicycling and walking in nature.

But a friend invited me to this fun class and I've kept going twice a week for a year now.

The music, the teacher, and the friends keep me moving for 45 minutes.

I'm often out of sync. I'm not as strong as the others in the class. My balance is quite off. But we all give each other grace.

So I guess that makes me grace-full. And happy!

You might love my book, Tapestry - The Divine Design For Your Life; available on Amazon. 

"Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life has the power to change how you think about your circumstances. It will restore hope and help you discover who you are and why you are here. You are important!!!! It makes a wonderful friend gift too! Have fun! and thank you!!!"

That Kind of Dad

“What matters to us, matters to God” the teacher always said. I held that in my heart; repeated it often. Could this be real? Does God really concern himself with my trivial little life?

He has proven again and again He does.

I have been the recipient of gifts beyond hope; opportunities beyond my ken; and friendships that are much more than I could ever pray to have.

He is that kind of Dad. I’m so thankful.

If you hope to experience this, start your conversation. Tell Him what you want; need; are worried about; and hope for. Give thanks for the good.

Then listen and create space and peace as you wait on him. The answers will come. He promises.

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.  2 Corinthians 1:20

You might love my book Tapestry - The Divine Design For Your Life; available on Amazon. 

"Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life has the power to change how you think about your circumstances. It will restore hope and help you discover who you are and why you are here. You are important!!!! It makes a wonderful friend gift too! Have fun! and thank you!!!"

When a Song Slays Your Heart

Have you ever been just innocently going about your business and you get knocked in the knees by a song? That was me today - mindlessly doing the dishes, listening to Alexa's choice of songs and bam! The voice. The arrangement. The words. I've heard this song before, but honestly I've never heard it in my heart like I did today. It was a God moment. This is why I like to do the dishes because this is where I seem to have my heart open to invasion. 

The singer is Charity Gayle, and she also helped write it. I'm sharing it with you today along with the following words from The Passion Translation. This, my friends, is love. You're welcome.

"For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace - for the same love he has for his Beloved One, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure."

(This red-winged blackbird was mid-song when I took his photo. It's my favorite bird song.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhU-Omwg2rU

The Time I Invited Paul McCartney to Dinner

 In 1964, I invited Paul McCartney to dinner.

The Beatles would be in Milwaukee soon on their first American tour and surely they'd need a meal before their concert.

I was 13 and in love with the Beatles. My friends, Liz and Cathy, and I thought it would be a good idea to write letters and we each invited our favorite Beatle, then mailed them to the fan club. The days went by without a response as we read our Beatle magazines and sang and danced to our “Meet the Beatles" records.

Concert day was finally here and my mom took the three of us. We found our seats and it was clear we would never be able to see the band much less hear them because people were already standing on the backs of their chairs and screaming.

My mom, who was brilliant at doing absolutely crazy things, took a notepad and pen from her purse and pretended to be a reporter from the Milwaukee Journal. She made friends with some influential person who guided us all to front row seats while Mom continued to wait to be able to interview a Beatle. I’ll never forget how close she stood to John Lennon who was standing behind the guy she was "interviewing." That night, at 8 p.m., “She Loves You Yeah, Yeah, Yeah” started the concert and about the only thing we could hear were Ringo’s drums and the crush of crowd screaming and crying. But it was okay because we had a perfect view and we were screaming and crying too.

Maybe this is where my dream of becoming a journalist started; where I began to see how courage can move you forward; and how ingenuity and a friendly smile can part crowds.

Thanks, Mom!

Signs That Make You Wonder

I don't believe coincidences are, well, coincidental.

For example, in the last day I have had two occurrences of them.

One was mention of the Milky Way, that beautiful cloud of stars across the dark sky, caught my attention twice from two vastly separate sources of conversation and reading.

The other was the town of Greensboro, North Carolina was mentioned in two separate and vastly different books I'm reading.

I don't know what these mean, but I believe coincidences can be signs or a way God is wanting to speak to me. I try to stay aware and notice these things when they happen.

These two coincidences might not seem that remarkable, but they are to me. They fit into the category of signs that make me wonder.

Does this happen to anyone else?

Have a beautiful day, friends!

You Might Be Set Apart

Do you ever feel left out or fear you're missing out?

Do you feel lonely in a crowd and wonder what's wrong with you or think other people wonder what's wrong with you?

Have you ever felt you're somehow too weird for the world or family you're in?

Do you feel like you're standing still while everyone else is racing by?

Have you wondered why you feel alone in a desert you just can't escape?

What if, instead of feeling left out, you accept the truth that God has set you apart for something great. You're that special.

Now while you wait for your assignment, ask Holy Spirit to send you His friends. We were not created to be alone.

"Maybe the reason you're in the desert is 

the desert needs your beauty." Ray Hughes

Shine Like a Song

While walking Daisy I heard a cardinal sing above and the song was echoed ahead on the trail. These two birds kept singing back and forth. I looked and looked where the trills were coming from, but never even saw a feather. What a happy moment I had thinking we humans are so much like those birds. People may never see us or know us, but our sweet presence is evident wherever we go. We shine like a song. Our life has a melody. We might change someone's day just by releasing our joy. Just like those birds. How about that?

Read more of my thoughts in my book, Tapestry! Here's the link: