Comforts of Grace

For you, Mom.

Sometimes, I believe, we're called to love from a distance.  Thankfully, that earthly calling is rare, but with faith in Him I have trusted and obeyed in the past.  And, Oh, what beautiful results only He has provided!   (Note to self:  future blog posts!!)   These four words have been whispered on my heart, yet again, as I seek His guidance.  I could not survive without His protection and comforts of His grace.   How peaceful are His whispers.  Loving whispers.   That's how I know they are from Him.  Yet sometimes, the whispers are SHOUTED for quick retrieval of comfort and protection for us and others sent our way.   This isn't the first time I have heard these four words whispered to me when I want to take control and somehow fix everything.  As loved ones face messy consequences from their choices along their journey, I have been encouraged ... on rare occasions ... to prayerfully love from a

Nothing fancy, just ... "push".  Last January, as many fellow bloggers chose their one word theme for 2014 inspiration, "push" was all that came to mind for me.  I ignored it's shouts in my head.  I wanted a lovely word of focus like "embrace" or "joy" ... but "push"?  What's up with that? God's whispers were relentless.   Push.  Push.  Push.   A constant chorus in my head as I contemplated dreams, goals and plans for 2014 and beyond. Well, as promised in my March 11, 2014 blog post~ http://comfortsofgrace.blogspot.com/2014/03/feel-fear-and-leap-anyways.html   "It is time" for the update and announcement. But first, I'd like to share how PROUD I am of my husband, three sons, and daughter for all they have done to push their wife and mama from a dream to a reality.  Chris, Ryan, Taylor, Austin, and Holly ~ I can't thank you enough for your hard work, dedication, and encouraging words ((and hugs)) of lo

It's as close to a hole-in-one I've ever achieved ... or may ever again for that matter.  So this gal, who's only golfed a handful of times in the last 15 years, was giddy and dumbfounded by this picture worthy moment last Wednesday morning. That's my drive in one after sailing between sand traps and a pond!  And there's Chris' nice chipped shot in two. Wondering, geesh, how long was that drive?  Locals will recognize it as hole #2 at the Elks ~ starting back there by those three tiny spruce trees in the background.  A par 3 ~ 109 yards for the ladies.  So no, I must confess, it wasn't a 350 yard drive. But, I have always been blessed in golf with straight and long drives.  A skill I can only humbly thank as a gift because it surely hasn't been studied or practiced due to the demands of motherhood the last thirty years. On the rare occasions that I have, I love to play golf.  And so does Chris.  I remember the joy over twenty years ago when

I pre-ordered this book today.  Sounds like a beautiful read.  Can't wait till the expected ship date of June 3rd. Be sure to head over to Bonnie's wonderful blog at www.faithbarista.com Her blog is always an encouraging visit for me.  Beautiful writing.  Nourishment for my soul.

Recently, all my daughters and I shared a fun and special evening together.  As I lovingly gazed around the steakhouse dinner table savoring the girl talk and giggles, I paused on the word ... daughters.  Wow.  That's daughters , now, with an "s". In that moment, a silent prayer I said.  Tears of gratefulness welled-up quickly and threatened to reveal themselves down my cheeks as I thanked God for His blessings of these girls.   A birth daughter, two granddaughters, a future step-granddaughter, and hopefully a future daughter-in-law ~ a mini-van load of all my daughters ~ gathered in one place, at the same moment, for an evening of dinner and shopping together. What a rare treat to coordinate with multiple households, work, school, and activity schedules!  And NO BOYS! I reached for the camera in my purse and when the waiter stopped by, he gladly captured the above picture for us.  A special picture marking a special moment in time because ... After dinner, my b

Hearing God's whispers on my heart lately. I'm listening.  I'm trusting.  And I'm leaping.  Again. With fear in my head, but faith in my heart ... I have decided to leap from a long comfort zone (twelve years) of part-time employment in real estate to pursue a completely different work adventure in self-employment.   Mid-January, I gave notice to my employer that I would be leaving. This isn't the first time I've taken a leap and embraced a move outside my comfort zone.   There have been many small ones and a few HUGE ones in my lifetime.   Fortunately, with each courageous leap in the past, I can look back now and see His plans  for me unfolding with purpose and clarity.  I am so thankful for His guidance and grace. "Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase."                       ~ Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Chris graciously donated his office space at the shop to me to get sta

I tucked a mental note away first thing yesterday morning as I pondered the Joy Dare suggestions for January 10th. Almost immediately, without a conscious effort of my own, a mental rewind button was activated and quickly stopped at a memory nearly twelve hours earlier. Yes, there in the kitchen, I saw myself busy loading the dishwasher when one of my adult sons approached his mama. "Here Mom," I remembered his deep voice saying while handing me a tiny green foil package.  "You'll really like this." I paused briefly from the dirty dishes for an interruption that seemed important to him. "Uh... thank-you," I replied politely as he paused to soak in my reaction.   "I'll eat it later."  I placed it on the hutch and turned to stuff another dirty plate in the dishwasher. I remembered thinking to myself as my son left the kitchen ... "I don't want chocolate.  I'm still trying to shed those pesky Buckeye and Christma

As a new year begins, I'm inspired by a beautiful video from Ann Voskamp I'd like to share. Won't you consider a Joy Dare this new year and begin counting your One Thousand Gifts along with me? Click on the link below for yesterday's inspiring message from Ann: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2014/01/how-to-know-gods-will-for-your-life-the-art-of-fully-living-giveaway-for-dslr-camera/ Here is a January list of daily Joy suggestions Ann has provided.  Just pick an easy one to get started.  Then work your way through the list and/or simply record your own 3 gifts each day. I would love to hear about YOUR gifts in the comments below.  Please don't hesitate to share! Happy counting your way to a Joy-filled 2014!