Just Simple Days

As 2025 came to an end, Glenn and I both felt a deep need to get away—to the beach. It wasn’t about doing more or planning anything big. It was simply time for recovery, rest, and restoration. Time to just be.

There is such importance in taking time for ourselves and returning to the places and rhythms that restore us. For me, that place is the beach. Watching the sunrise or sunset. Fishing. Kayaking. Planting my feet in the sand. Hunting for seashells. Sitting quietly and watching the water move in and out. And this visit, it included developing a new creative painting skill. These moments may seem small, but they are deeply nourishing.

At the beach, my soul slows down. Distractions fade. Gratitude rises as I take in God’s creation—the vastness of the water, the steady rhythm of the waves, the warmth of the sun. I find myself listening more closely, not just with my ears, but with my heart. This is where I’m reminded that God often speaks in the stillness.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

There is something grounding about these simple days. The sun feels like fuel to the body. The quiet feeds the soul. Laughter comes easily. Friendships deepen. Smiles and love seem to meet you right where you are.

Jesus understood the need for this kind of rest. He invited His disciples to step away from the noise and demands of life:

“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’”
—Mark 6:31

In choosing just simple days, we intentionally leave behind the busyness of the world and make space to listen. To notice. To hear God’s Word again—not rushed or crowded out, but gently received.

“And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21)

May we give ourselves permission to slow down, to rest, and to listen. Sometimes the most profound moments with God are found in the simplest days.

January 1, 2026 0

He Breaths Eternal Purpose Into Us

I’m up early this morning—getting a little movement in and settling my heart in God’s Word. I’ve been going through the Healing Around the Word Study Plan on the YouVersion Bible App, created by some of my dear HealingStrong friends.

As I listen, I hear many familiar voices—some belonging to friends who are now with the Lord. Their words bring back precious memories… moments of joy, laughter, and the sweet fellowship we shared.

These recordings were made during the early days of COVID, when we couldn’t gather in person. Instead, we met on Zoom and read through the Bible together. At the time, it was simply a way to make it through those uncertain days—a place to breathe, to connect, to find hope when the world felt so heavy. There was warmth there. There was comfort. There was joy in simply being together.

None of us imagined that those simple readings would someday land on a Bible app and be shared with people around the world. Back then, our only intention was to encourage each other. But God—so faithful and so creative—took our small act of obedience and wove it into something far bigger than we ever planned.

This morning, as I listen to the voices of friends who have stepped into eternity, my heart swells. What a beautiful legacy. Even in death, they’re still blessing others… still offering hope… still pointing people to Jesus through the living Word they loved.

Isn’t it just like God to take something ordinary and breathe eternal purpose into it?

December 12, 2025 0

Connectedness

I’m on my way to the groomer this morning and my dog is shaking like a leaf. She’s scared of the groomer, even though they are the most pet-loving people I have ever met. I never said a word about where we were going. I just said “Roxi, let’s go!” and she came running! I’m not sure how she knew where we were headed, but she certainly did. She had to be picking up on my thoughts and non-verbal queues. There is no other explanation!

We are all connected. To everything and everyone. And depending on which writer, preacher, doctor, philosopher or blogger (just to name a few) you follow, that connectedness is named in many different ways: Source, Source Energy, Energy, Spirit, Holy Spirit, God, Allah, Yahweh. There are many more names, I’m sure.

So what is this connectedness anyway? Again, depending on who and what you read, it can be defined in many ways. But for me, it is easiest to recall my days in elementary school science class where we first learned about everything being matter, and matter was defined as lots of tiny particles spinning/clashing around referred to as waves of energy. The slower or faster they traveled, determined what was actually “seen” by the naked eye, or a microscope, or any other measuring instrument. If everything can be broken down into waves of energy, those tiny atomic and sub-atomic particles bouncing around, then wouldn’t that make us connected to everything and everyone? We are all “made” of the same bouncing, vibrating stuff.

How often have I felt an urge to reach out to someone with whom I haven’t communicated in a long while, and found they were thinking of me as well? If my thoughts about taking my dog to the groomer are having this kind of effect on her, then what kind of impact are my thoughts about people and events in the world having on those people and the world? It would stand to reason that I should be focusing on encouraging, loving and kind thoughts if I really want to make a positive impact on the world.

As you move throughout your day, pay attention to how you are thinking about the various people in your life and to the events taking place in the world. Be intentional about the impact you want to make in every simple day.

August 26, 2020 0

Expectations

Tonight, I sat with the leadership team from my church to discuss upcoming events and services. As we were planning for one of the special services, our conversation eventually led to what the church members would or would not do. Why is that? Is it because that’s what we EXPECT of them?

This time of year, we expect the snow to eventually melt and flowers to bloom. We turn on a faucet and expect water to flow. We go through the drive-thru and expect food to be delivered through the window. So why is it so difficult to expect GOOD THINGS from others?

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Dr. Caroline Leaf, a cognitive neuroscientist, has spent the past 30+ years studying the brain and how it changes, PHYSICALLY CHANGES, based on our thoughts. Thoughts that are good and joyful and filled with love and kindness, have a positive effect on the brain and lead to healing and wholeness. And the opposite is true as well. Negative thinking contributes to physical illness and diseases. (Switch on your Brain: the Key to Happiness, Thinking & Healing)

Dr. Leaf is not alone in her study. Deepak Chopra, in his book Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul, cites a story from a friend of his:

He was walking down the street in a big city where he was visiting, and on impulse he went into a fancy bakery, enticed by their extravagant window display. The minute he stepped in the door he saw trouble. The bakery manager was screaming at the girl working the counter. She was in tears, and both were so engrossed that they didn’t notice that a customer had entered the shop. My friend said that he had a sudden intuition. I can bring harmony here. He turned his back on the argument, which settled down once his presence was noticed. In itself, that is unremarkable. But my friend kept lingering, and as he did so, he centered himself in his own peace—he’s been an experienced meditator for many years. He could feel the atmosphere in the shop soften, and although few would believe what happened next, the manager and the girl at the counter exchanged smiles. By the time my friend left, he saw them embracing and mutually expressing how sorry they were. Can your mere presence bring harmony to a situation the same way? The first step is to believe that it is possible; the second is the willingness not to take sides, but to act solely as a peaceful influence, silently if you can, but speaking up if that becomes necessary. (p 249, Kindle edition)

So what if we expected something different from our congregations? What if we planned worship that included meditation, journaling about questions of the heart, outreach toward those who might be downhearted, abused, homeless, or sick? What would happen if we EXPECTED our members to respond and to follow through with challenges to outreach, heal and transform our communities? What if the same truths that apply to an individual, are also applicable to a group of people? After all, aren’t we the “body of Christ?”

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:4-5.

So tonight, as I consider my earlier conversation with my church leadership team, I am challenging myself to begin EXPECTING something different. I am challenging myself to start thinking differently – about myself and about others. I am challenging myself to change the world!

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8.

I think it’s just that simple!

February 11, 2020 0

Just Love

This morning, I had decided that throughout the day, whenever I encounered something frustrating or challenging

I would repeat the phrase, “Just Love!” to remind myself that love is the only important thing. So here it is going on lunchtime and I’ve just now gotten around to reading the scripture of the day.

[ The Gift of Love ] If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NRSV

Have you ever noticed that sometimes, God is “IN YOUR FACE” with the message and lesson we need to learn for the day? Especially when I set my intention to “just love!” Ha! God is right there to help me keep my focus.

Just a simple message for just a simple day.

February 10, 2020 0

Be Alert, Be One

Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NRSV

When I was growing up, I was taught that sin included things like drinking alcohol, swearing, smoking and for some in my religious faith, even drinking coffee was considered “sinful”. As I have evolved into my own belief system, I have a much different perspective of sin. MY adversary is anything that separates me from being in alignment with the Holy Spirit, my SOURCE! And that separation means anything that makes me feel less than whole, less than love, less than worthy. Sometimes it’s scolding myself because I ate too much chocolate. Sometimes it’s looking in the mirror and determining that some features are ugly. Sometimes it’s looking outside myself at others and judging their behaviors as unfavorable and “wrong”. Anything that causes me to feel less than pure love for all beings and all things, is a separation from my SOURCE. And THAT I consider my adversary, my devil.

My prayer today is that I may be aware of that separation and draw myself back toward the Spirit so that eventually, I see and feel only oneness with all that is. May every simple day be filled with Oneness!

October 31, 2019 0

Choose Kindness!

I woke early this morning and couldn’t go back to sleep. So I got up, grabbed my coffee, the quilt I’m working on, and found a YouTube video of one of my favorite inspirational speakers, Dr. Wayne Dyer. He shares lots of stories, experiences and ideas. The one that caught my attention today was, “Choose Kindness!”

How often do we have the opportunity to choose kindness and we choose the opposite? A car coming from the other direction slips into the parking space where you were waiting to park. The service in the restaurant where you go to lunch is very slow. Your spouse or partner finishes the last of the dessert you had your heart set on. Your kids track mud all over the carpet. How do we respond? Are we sour and grumpy and yell when these things happen? Or do we smile and and offer a “Thank you, God, that I can appreciate a clean house and eating out!”

We get to CHOOSE how we respond to the everyday events in our lives. In the words of Jackie Chan, “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” Just a simple act of kindness goes a long way!

October 29, 2019 0

Giving Feels Good!

As I walked into the grocery store tonight – my SECOND trip of the day – just outside was a teen sitting on the ground, head down resting on his knees. He looked like he was waiting for a ride and as if he might have been waiting awhile. I headed in for the things I had forgotten on the first trip and when I came back out, he was still there. I asked him if he needed a ride somewhere. He hesitated, “Yeah, maybe. I don’t know why they’re not here yet. Could I use your phone to make a call first?”

His friend’s car had broken down somewhere; she didn’t know how long she’d be. So yeah, he could use a ride. I received a text with the address. It would take me an extra 30 minutes, and the opposite direction from my house. But he was grateful. As we drove, he introduced himself, said he was 19, was from Kansas City and worked for his dad.

As I headed back home, I had to wonder what causes a kid to make his way to Sedalia from Kansas City with no phone and no vehicle. I still don’t know the answer (except he came to see a girl). But I know he was very thankful that he wasn’t still sitting on the sidewalk at the grocery store on a hot, sticky night in a town he had no idea where to go. And I know I felt better knowing I had made a difference in someone’s life today. “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:40) It feels good to give!

August 21, 2019 0

It’s Just Simple: Love

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
~I Corinthians 13: 4-8, NRSV

We often hear this passage quoted at weddings and celebrations of marriage. And yet that is not at all what was taking place when Paul presented this message to the people of Corinth. In the first chapter of I Corinthians, we read that there had been many quarrels among the people. They were arguing over whose baptism was better (because of who baptized them) or whose gifts were better. The people of Corinth totally missed the message of God’s Love.

Through the book, May Cause Miracles, by Gabrielle Bernstein, I have just started a 40-day practice of readings, meditations and journaling, designed to shift my thinking from one of fear and anxiety to one of peace and love. Each day presents some thoughts along with an affirmation and a meditation to practice and then reflect in my journal at the end of the day. Yesterday’s affirmation was, “Love did not create this.” The idea behind this affirmation is that any time I feel anxious or frustrated or angry or any of those negative emotions, I should remind myself that love did not create them. Epiphany!!! My A-HA! moment! (sometimes I am slow to catch on).

Love is patient . If I feel anxious and hurried and frustrated, that is NOT love. Love is kind. If I am rude and grumpy and hurtful to others, that is NOT love. Love is not envious or boastful or arrogant. At the very moment that envy or bragging comes into (and often out of) my being, that is NOT love. In other words, any time I feel any of those negative emotions, I can remind myself that LOVE did not create them. And once I can recognize those thoughts and behaviors within, I have the chance to immediately say, “Love did not create these and I can choose a better way to think and behave”.

Don’t be caught up and miss the message of God’s love. We need not fear or be anxious or any of those negative things. One moment at a time, we can remind ourselves that God (Love) did not create them. We can immediately shift our thinking to a thought that comes from Love. When we come from a place of love in our thoughts and in our hearts, we can bear all things, believe all things, hope for all things, and endure all things.

It’s all that simple! Love never ends.

February 17, 2019 0

Infused With Love

It all started with a quilt. I was so excited to welcome the first grandbaby and what better way than with a quilt made by her Grammy! So I jumped in and got busy! As my friend watched my progress, she said to me how much she would love to have me make a quilt for her friend who was due a couple months later. Of course! I would love to make one. She had no idea what she was looking for in a design, but I did. And as the design evolved, the fabrics and patterns just fell into place. It was pretty awesome how my vision suddenly became exactly what she was looking for when she didn’t know what that was. Definitely God was at work in our lives!

Every day, I would spend an hour or two hand-quilting while on phone calls and meetings for work where I only had to listen. How therapeutic! And one day in conversation with her again, I told her how enjoyable it was. I knew I would never meet this baby nor the family, but every time I worked on it, I felt like I was “infusing it with love!”

Fast-forward a few months when my daughter-in-law asked me to teach her how to crochet. So she picked out a pattern of a messy-bun beanie hat (the kind with a hole for your ponytail or messy-bun to hang out). In about two hours, I had one completed. And in about a week, I had made four more. How therapeutic! But what was I going to do with all the beanies! It didn’t take me long to figure it out.

I recalled reading about a church that got together to make prayer shawls. They met once a month or so to work on shawls that they prayed for the person who would receive it. So I presented my idea at my church. Next month we’ll be starting our monthly fellowship entitled, “Infused with Love”. There are plenty of local charities that will welcome hats and scarves or lap quilts for those in need as well as the prayers that will be infused in them.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ – Matthew 25:31-40

I am excited to see where this journey will take us as a fellowship group and as a member of our community, not to mention where it might take ME! We haven’t decided our product nor our charity (or charities!) But we know it will be very rewarding and definitely INFUSED WITH LOVE! Stay tuned for more details. All are welcome to join us for Just a Simple Day!

February 13, 2019 0