I let my heart go away (Photo credit: WolfS♡ul)Forty years ago I married Bill. Yes this July 15 we will celebrate a milestone. It certainly doesn't seem like that long ago; after all I don't feel that old. (Of course I could fudge a little and say something about being a child bride, but I digress...)    I am surprised by love. I love him more now than I did in 1972. What a blessing to realize the depth of the tender bond between us after these years.    Our kids gave us a weekend get away. The package included hotels and activities we like such as wineries, minor league baseball game and adventures to new part of Michigan we had never visited.  They planned well, knowing what we would love to do and see.   Their thoughtfulness and ingenuity amazed us, but the definition of the word surprise includes elements of the unexpected and unanticipated.  We thought the trip would involve just the two of us.  Nope. Our children arranged to have a whole group of our lifelong friends celebrate … [Read more...]

“It's kind of fun to do the impossible.”  I smiled when I read this quote the other day from Walt Disney. The words also made me pause and consider what in my life seemed impossible but would be fun to try anyway. I wonder if God feels that way sometimes."Mmmm," God thinks. "I think I will do the impossible today: let's make hummingbirds to fly even though aerodynamically they shouldn’t be able to. Maybe I will add a unique feature to the Alcon Blue butterfly so it becomes one of the few animals to perfectly imitate the smell and sounds of another species. Even better, I will make humans in My image. Yep, that sounds delightful."I have been thinking about dreams and hopes lately and how we permit the world to discourage us from trying to do what God has planted deep within us. We settle for the safe possible, instead of the risk of new ideals. I know I am my own worse enemy with negative thinking and self-pity that often stops me thinking my idea is feasible. I listen more to the … [Read more...]

What gets you going? What makes you feel fully alive? Often doing something you feel passionate about not only helps you, but also enriches those around you and really the whole community.Passion.My writer friend, Johnnie, loves watching movies and reading books about World War II. Most of her stories take place in that time era or bloom from an element that occurred during the war. She has become an expert in those events."I am not sure about being an expert, but I do love it," she wrote in an email to me.That's passion. Something you love."Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  ~Attributed to Howard ThurmanReading the fine print in the church bulletin yesterday, I discovered how someone who lived two centuries ago, found a passion that continues to touch us today.Catherine Winkworth was honored as a hymn translator this week. Catherine who? I never heard of … [Read more...]

We visited good friends in Austin Texas last April. As we traveled around the area sightseeing, we noticed the beautiful wildflowers blooming along every highway. But nothing prepared me for the colorful splendor of the Wildseed Farms, about seven miles outside Fredericksburg.Wildseed Farms is the largest working wildflower farm in the U.S. The farm has more than 200 cultivated acres at its Hill Country headquarters.Take in this verse from Matthew, then enjoy the photos of God's palette:"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. … [Read more...]

I worshiped yesterday.We helped our son and daughter-in-law moved into their new home outside of Chicago and then went to church with them on Sunday. Proud mommy moment: watching through tears my pastor son praying, preparing and distributing communion.  But it was the music that captured my heart and enfolded me into worship of our King and Lord yesterday. One particular hymn  - its words, its story and its music - felt like God and I were having an intimate conversation, just between the two of us. Peace swirled in my heart and filled that empty place I keep hidden away.The hymn?  It is Well with my SoulDo you know its story?  A Chicago lawyer, Horatio G. Spafford, a man who had suffered almost unimaginable personal tragedy, wrote this hymn. He was also a devout Christian and faithful student of the Scriptures.The Spafford's only son died from scarlet fever when he was only four. He lost most of his real estate holdings in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.He knew his family needed … [Read more...]

English: photo of Catrien Eagles's pet cat called Tigger. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)"I worry about your little girl," said the tall gray haired lady. "She always looks so solemn."That little girl was me.I don't know why that day my facial appearance was serious and sober, but I heard that comment more than once in my life.  To be honest I was not born optimistic. That line will surprise people who know me now.Yep, I am a natural Eoyore, not a Tigger. As an adult I have consciously decided to live with a positive attitude. I choose hope.Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.
- Emily Dickinson
The glass isn't just half full or half empty. Even if the glass only holds half of its volume with fluid, the brim is topped off with precious life-giving air.  I like to think that space is chocked-full of the Spirit. I hold a full cup each day since God fills in whatever is missing.So now I am that cockeyed optimist we sing about in music.That is why I really enjoyed receiving … [Read more...]