God is loving. So often we say God is good, but what we really mean is God did something good for us. Sometimes God does stuff that does not feel good for us.Sometimes He does things that hurt us.Sometimes He lets things happen that feel so completely overwhelming and not good at all. I have …
Pleasing Words and Thoughts
A friend of mine and I share verses each morning and share our thoughts on them and how we see them apply to our lives. This morning he shared Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in they sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. …
I Beginning Again…Again…Or Am I?
Do you ever feel that way? Like you are beginning again...for the kazillionth time? My mathematical brain describes it as: (Beginning again) to the Nth degree. I admit I tend to find that thought deflating and often defeating. I mean, I've tried this, whatever "this" is, before...several times...and failed. What in the world makes me …
What You See Changes Things
It's okay not to have great plans for next year. It's okay not to step into January 1st with a list of resolutions that are going to change your life and the world. Can I offer you a suggestion for a simple goal that might not change the whole world but really will change your …
Defined by God, Not Humans
Yesterday on my Facebook page I shared a meme about the impact of growing up in a dysfunctional or abusive home on the ability to make decisions, even small ones. With that meme, I also shared two things I have personally used to overcome decision paralysis because it is a very common struggle for folks. …
Strategic Chaos
God will put us in blessed places.That doesn't mean they are always easy.Sometimes a blessed place is a hard place or a chaotic place.It also doesn't mean blessed places are for us to get something that feels good to us.It means there is something about us that needs to be put into that messy situation …
Thank you, Veterans.
In 1987 I aspired to become a marine. I heard the recruiting information, asked questions, and thought I understood what being a marine (or a soldier) meant. I realized a long time ago I didn't understand. I understood the honor of wearing the uniform, but I didn't understand the commitment of wearing the uniform.I didn't …
Really, the Holidays are Happy
I have considered deleting my post from yesterday about the holidays and being tired of grief because, once again, I evidently didn't communicate well. The point that I was trying to make is that holidays for a lot of people come with all the emotions, and I know people who are stuck in their grief …
The Happier Holidays
Recently someone asked me if I am going to do my typical series of posts on grief and the holidays. No. I'm not. The truth is I am tired of grief. I have been posting about grief and the holidays and grief and birthdays and grief and anniversaries and grief in general for over 10 …
Time
Lately, I have been thinking about time a lot. My brother died at the age of 57, which may sound old to some but others realize how very young that is. His birthday is next month, and I have been trying to plan for how to celebrate him, which really means I am trying to …
Jerri Kelley 