I talk about grief fairly regularly. Not as much as I used to because I feel like I keep saying the same things and people don't need to hear them again, AND I really prefer joy. LOL But I talk about grief because when my kids and I went through our massive life change in …
When the “New Normal” isn’t really Normal
I tell myself I am normal, that I am a normal late-middle-age woman with a normal house and normal life and normal...you know...normal. And then there are days like today when I realize I'm not. Today I attended a funeral for a wonderful woman who taught me in high school, and it was fantastic seeing …
The Beautiful Diversity of Roses
Tomorrow is Valentine's, and wow, it can be brutal, especially if you are single. That feeling of not being chosen can shatter your already fragile sense of value. It can spur questions and emotions about not being enough and what is wrong with you and why can't you be like the girl who has all …
God is More than Just Good
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 …
Jerri Kelley 