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How much more?
How much more God? How much more do you want me to take? As I struggle daily with actually carrying out what He has asked me to do, I wrestle frequently with wanting desperately to just give up. Asking Him to just send someone else, because surely I must not be it. As I sit…
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A friend to the lonely
“I don’t want to go to school! I.Dont.Want.To!” This wasn’t a cry I hadn’t heard before from this child. In fact, it’s often uttered daily. He doesn’t want to get dressed. He mumbles and grumbles many days all the way through the morning routine. But this cry was different. It was a gut-wrenching cry that…
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The One who sees you
It seemed to be like any other Sunday morning. I got up. Made my coffee. Sat down to read my Bible. It seemed like any other morning. Yet, it wasn’t. That coffee wouldn’t go down as it usually does. That Bible remained unopened, and something inside of me was just unsettled. And I spent the…
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When the storm rages anyway
I love thunderstorms. I love to sit on my porch and feel the wind. Smell the rain. Hear the boom of the thunder. I don’t, however, like the storms that tend to rage in this life. Those that create fear. Cause chaos. Leave us wondering if we will get through. Asking God, “Lord, save us!…
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Pray. Believe.
One of the toughest jobs I have ever had has been being a parent. While wildly rewarding, it can also be the most heartbreaking of tasks. I question my influence as a parent and a caretaker of many other kids daily. Some times multiple times a day. I question if they even listen. If the…
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A living example?
Something I’ve been pondering lately: Can empathy be taught? As I talk and talk, and guide and guide; even pray for others to make wise choices. To think of another’s perspective, I often wonder if being intentional and considering the hearts of others is a skill that can be learned. Some days it seems downright…
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Just keep praying
“She called me 5 minutes before we were supposed to be there and said she changed her mind.” This is the response received when asking for the outcome of a meeting I had to miss. But what no one knew was that 5 minutes before they were supposed to be in that room, someone was…
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Pinky promises from God
“We will go tomorrow to get donuts. I promise.” I said this to my little boy as he headed into the house. As he trickled in from school, and we then began the task of managing the afternoon and evening activities. Pinky promised that, yes, next time we would go. “Tonight we have a lot…
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Love that “sticks”
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle. Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others. Doesn’t revel when others grovel. Takes…
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I’ve got the joy, joy, joy
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Grunts. Kicks. Moans. All by 8:30 in the morning. Complaints about what is in the fridge to eat. Complaints about the days plans. Words like these: “Grateful? For…
Grace 'n Grounds
Encouragement Grounded in His Truth
Grace 'n Grounds 