Rebel to Redeemed…Sharing HIS Kind of Love
For Chinese New Year last month, we had a party for our residents. Part of the Chinese New Year tradition is for the older adults to give children red envelopes with money. Instead of giving our residents money, we have them gift certificates related to their interest and personality. We’d not seen the residents this excited since Christmas, when they […]
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While I am very outgoing when I need to be, I am naturally an introvert, especially in new situations or large groups. I usually take my sweet time to acclimate myself to these new circumstances. This has been very true for me in finding a new church family and getting involved. I’ve been doing better about attending my new church […]
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There are days when I struggle with depression and finding the gratitude in a situation. The other week, I heard a speaker say “When we are grateful our entire life changes”. I began to think of all the little things I take for granted, instead of being grateful for. The fact that I woke up this morning, breathe fresh air, […]
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As I continue on my wellness journey to a healthier life, I easily become frustrated at times by how little progress I seem to make. Only when I look back over the last few years am I able to see how far I’ve come. But then I take a long look and realize how far I still have to go. […]
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I often have people ask ‘how many children do you have’? For years, my heart broke as I told them none. With two abusive relationships behind me, I’m thankful I did not have children with these men, but it also means I did not have children. This has been difficult, as it has been my dream from a young age. […]
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Recently, I heard some disturbing news about an extended family member. My heart broke at the news and the long-term effects this may have on not only this person’s life, but also other lives. Immediately I was stricken with the reminder of when I was the prodigal child and making bad decisions. This was the same pattern evident in this […]
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I was bragging to Mama about my staff and what a blessing each and everyone of them were to me and our residents. “Be sure you tell them.” Mama reminded me. I make it a habit to tell them thank you for their hard work on a regular basis, but I wondered if they really knew how much I appreciated […]
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There are times when life seems to stand still and it is easy to grow discouraged and pessimistic. There have been times when I wondered if life would ever move forward or if my life even mattered. I questioned if I was impacting anyone else and showing God’s love to others. Have you ever had those days? Then a ray […]
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The other week, our pastor closed the service with the message to draw closer to God and watch Him work. The pastor, shared the story of being in need of a job and several other needs. No matter how much He tried or how hard He worked nothing was working out. He became angry at God and didn’t hesitate letting […]
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Several weeks ago, we had a missionary from the church I attend, who came to speak and share how the Lord was working. In closing, she reminded us “Put God first in all things.” She went on to remind us this should be before business, family, hobbies, health, or finances. I don’t know about you, but I struggle with control. […]
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Six months after having to move suddenly, I still find myself struggling to accept the way everything happened. On more than one occasion, I have asked myself if I held on too tightly to the home the Lord blessed for me to live in. While I am very grateful for where I currently live and it has grown on me, […]
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I don’t know about you, but there are times when I wonder what God is up to and why He has me where I am. There are days when I feel him whispering on my heart to move on, but that is His will for my life He has not shown me the path. So, for the time being I have […]
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I have a dear friend whose son has down syndrome. Although he is a grown man, he has the heart and mind of a child, which endears him to all who melt him. He also speaks in a very soft whisper, making it difficult to understand what is being said. My entire staff joined together for supper several weeks ago […]
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One of the teenagers I mentored, stopped in for a visit. I listened, softly offering a word of wisdom here and there. “But, you don’t understand—” She would stare at me. I felt the emotional slap go across my face. I was talking with myself twenty some years ago. I’d been just like this young girl, refusing to heed Godly […]
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We recently gained a new administrator at work. Many of the staff was already familiar with this person, but I was not. I’ll admit to being anxious and unsure what to expect. This even led to a panic attack during a very stressful time. Life is full of twist and turns. We never know what a day may bring. Some […]
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I was asked to call in a pastor for a woman on hospice. I made the necessary call and was informed the pastor would be there in a few hours. I continued to walk by and the Lord kept impressing on me to go speak to her. Finally, I took a deep breath and followed his command. I told her […]
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When Hurricane Florence came through, we took in evacuees from a sister facility along the coast. This was an adjustment for all of us. After all, we had an additional forty residents and all their staff. Two very different responses stand out in my mind. One lady crossed her arms, rolled her eyes and let out a disgusted sigh. I […]
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For months I have been waiting for something, I’ve just not known what. I still don’t know what. But as one change after another took place, I knew the Lord was moving and working up to something. When I begin to grow antsy and frustrated with how long the process takes, Mama reminds me to be patient. “Sometimes He has […]
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I have undergone a lot of changes in both my personal and professional life in the last three months. More changes than I ever dreamed or imagined. I’ll admit it has not been easy and some of these changes have really left me shaken and struggling. I don’t understand all of these changes at the moment, but I know in […]
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I know the Lord is working in my life at the moment because Satan has been doing everything possible to get me down. I have been fighting negative thoughts and the enemy has been using every insecurity, fear and past failure to get the best of me. I have to admit that on my than one occasion I have wallowed […]
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