life

Jul

2023

It Happens Sometimes

It happens sometimes?

I had a student one year who would say that to me.

She would say it if she made a mistake on her work.

If a friend did something they weren’t supposed to.

It happens sometimes?

Always said as a question, never as a statement.

A question that would be repeated if left unanswered.

A question that required me to stop in that moment and remember grace.

Yes, I would answer. It happens sometimes. Everyone makes mistakes.

What matters is that we try our best.

Or sometimes it was more like…

Yes, it happens. But now that it has happened, let’s do better next time.

How many times in life have I needed to remind myself of this.

That I am only human and it happens.

How could I have done that?

Why did I say those awful things?

How could I let that person down?

Why did I handle the situation like that?

How did I mess up something so important?

Friends, it happens.

That’s not an excuse and I know it doesn’t fix everything.

But it happens because we are only human and far from perfect.

What’s amazing is that we serve a perfect God.

A perfect God full of grace.

Rather than getting the punishment we deserve for our mistakes and sins,

the punishment has been taken for us.

God sent His one and only son to die on the cross for our sins.

And whoever believes will spend forever with Him in heaven.

Have you ever heard of such a selfless sacrifice?

All for you.

And for me.

Yes, we mess up. We make mistakes.

Time and time again, it happens.

But thank you, Jesus, for the grace I don’t deserve and could never earn.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son,

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

-John 3:16

Jul

2023

Today Her Mind is Consumed

Today her mind is consumed.

She is sitting in a room full of people,

but her mind is somewhere else.

She knows someone asked her a question,

but she was too distracted to hear it.

She wants to smile,

but it suddenly feels unnatural.

Everyone else is laughing,

why can’t she feel their joy?

Someone asks how she is doing.

She hopes they don’t notice her swallow the lump in her throat before she answers.

Is your mind consumed today?

Maybe you made a mistake you don’t know how to forgive yourself for.

Maybe you are missing someone so much it takes over every thought.

Maybe someone you love is in pain,

and there is nothing you can do.

Maybe you have a decision to make that will affect the rest of your life.

Of course it has taken over your mind.

It’s important, and you care so much.

Just please don’t let it stay there.

At some point, decide that enough is enough.

Say a prayer for courage.

And then set free the thoughts filling your mind by saying the things that need said

and doing the things that need done.

And then let it go.

There is something so freeing about doing everything you can, and then releasing it.

Knowing there is nothing else you can do except pray and trust.

Of course, it will revisit at times.

And of course, it still matters to you.

But it will not consume you today.

Today you have made room in your mind and your heart for more.

More memories.

More people.

More ways to serve.

More ways to show love.

More ways to feel joy.

Today you have made room for the present.

Jun

2023

Yesterday Got the Best of Her

Yesterday got the best of her.

She thought she knew patience,

but the smallest inconvenience made her snap.

She thought she was kind,

but hurtful words came out of her mouth.

She thought she had put it behind her for the last time,

but she fell back into it.

She thought she had healed,

but one mention of it brought instant tears.

She thought she was smart,

but she didn’t have any of the answers.

She thought she had confidence,

but one comment brought out all her insecurity.

She thought she was strong,

but fell apart when given one extra thing to carry.

She thought she was reliable,

but she let everyone down.

Yesterday.

Maybe you have had a yesterday like that.

A day that got the best of you.

A day that brought out the worst in you.

Maybe a day you wish you could do over.

Or a day you wish had never happened in the first place.

If that was your yesterday, please know it does not define you.

One day does not define your kindness, your strength, or your abilities.

You are a child of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Any good in us comes from Him.

Let that be what defines you on the good days.

And let that be what defines you on the bad days.

Let that be what defines you today and tomorrow.

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

-Psalms 139:14

Jun

2023

I’m Glad You Called

I always think when my dad sees my name come up on his phone, he has to wonder “what does she need now?”

Because, let’s be honest, that’s when I call my dad.

When I need help with something.

When my car is making noises.

When my water heater isn’t working.

When I get in an accident.

When there is a spider too big to get without step-by-step phone support.

When I need directions.

Even after all of that, my dad has yet to answer the phone with a “what do you need now?”

No. Instead he answers with the same welcoming “hello” as always. The same hello that sounds a lot like “I’m glad you called.”

I am thankful for my dad.

Not just because he helps me with my many struggles.

But because he is always there.

Because there is never a bad time to call.

Because there is never a question too dumb.

Because he is patient, funny, and kind.

Because he is the best one there is.

Thank you, Dad!

Jun

2023

Slow Down: Love Where You Are Right Now

Slow down.

Love where you are right now.

I know.

I know you have things to get done.

Deadlines to meet.

Timelines to beat.

Believe me, I know.

Suddenly things are happening for everyone else around you.

Engagement announcements, wedding invites, gender reveals, the list goes on.

I know you are happy for your friends.

I know you are cheering them on and celebrating each joy with them.

Of course you are, you want the world for them.

But I also know that in the midst of their life events, you see yourself standing still.

“Are you married?”

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“How old are you?”

“When are you going to have kids?”

You know the questions.

Well intentioned questions from wonderful people who care about you.

Yet questions that create an ever present checklist in your mind.

Do you have all of the boxes checked?

I know I don’t.

__ Husband

__ Kids

__ Dream house

__ Dream job

__ Etc.

Slow down.

Please, slow down and listen to these truths.

If you are 30 and not married with a family,

that is ok.

If you are 40 living in an old house with a leaky roof, that is ok.

Maybe you are 50 and still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up.

That is ok.

Love where you are right now.

Get married and have a family when you find your forever person.

Not when you feel the clock ticking.

In the meantime, go on adventures.

Try new things.

Better yourself.

Make your house a dream home by inviting others in

and filling it now with love and laughter.

Think about the God given gifts you have today

and use them to serve the people around you.

Make your life one that you love right now.

And anything else that gets checked off your list will simply be an added blessing.

Life is not a race.

It is not a set of deadlines.

Slow down, and love where you are right now.

Jun

2023

Friends Who Stand in the Rain

Do you have a friend who will stand in the rain with you?

“Leanne, it’s raining!”

A friend and I had been chatting and catching up, waiting for it to get dark so the drone show could start.

And then it started sprinkling.

The people around us headed to their vehicles. Others went to the showbarn for cover.

My friend just smiled at me and said, “Leanne, it’s raining!”

And then we went back to our conversation.

How nice it is to have a friend who will stand in the rain with you.

Do you have those friends?

It made me think about this friend and others who have stood with me in the rainy days of life.

Do you have those friends?

I’m not just talking about the “raindrops falling from the sky” kind of rainy days.

I mean the “heart hurting,” “tears falling” rainy days.

The “not fun to be around” rainy days.

And the “will it ever get easier” rainy days.

If you have a friend to stand with you on those days, you are blessed.

Hold tight to that friend.

Hold tight to that friend who answers your call only to hear tears on the other end,

yet still knows what to say.

That friend who reminds you of your worth at times you have forgotten it.

That friend who says “my heart is hurting for you” instead of trying to fix it.

That friend who speaks truth into you when everything feels confusing.

That friend who says to call anytime, day or night. And you know they mean it.

That friend who makes the weight of the world feel a little lighter just by being there.

Hold tight to them because that is the friend who will say “hey, it’s raining!”

and lets it be ok because you are standing in it together.

Jun

2023

It Should Be Like That

“And it should be, it should be, it should be like that.” -Dr. Suess

A story about how it should be

I am convinced the most meaningful lessons are taught through children’s books.

And not just lessons for children.

If you’ve never read Horton Hatches the Egg, let me give you a brief summary. Mayzie the lazy bird leaves Horton the elephant to sit on her nest. It is supposed to be for a short time, but Mayzie does not return.

Horton sits on the egg. And protects the egg. Through storms, and hunters, and being put in the circus, he holds onto his promise.

Because he is faithful.

Finally the egg hatches. Of course, Mayzie reappears as this is happening, just in time to claim her egg.

But everyone is shocked to see what comes out of the egg. It is an elephant-bird.

And it should be, it should be, it should be like that.

Every time I read this story to my class, we laugh together at the thought of an elephant sitting on an egg.

And every time I get to the “it should be like that” line, I get a lump in my throat and my voice sometimes shakes just a little.

Silly, I know.

But Horton put his heart and soul into taking care of that egg, and the results are beautiful.

I want that for you.

How badly I want that for the people around me.

For my family.

My friends.

For you.

I want people who work tirelessly for something to reap the rewards.

For the people who exude love and goodness to live long, healthy lives.

For people who desire marriage and a family to get their happily ever after.

I want those who pray with their whole heart for circumstances to change, to see their prayers answered.

Isn’t that how it should be?

I am not in control. And it should be like that.

But my view is so limited. Where I only see a circumstance, God sees all. He sees all of the pieces moving and working together in a way I can’t understand.

In a way I can’t comprehend.

In a way that sometimes doesn’t seem fair.

But all for the good of those who love Him.

As much as I want control, I could not be trusted with it. My view is too limited.

I may solve one problem I can see while causing harm in places I can’t see.

I might do good to one person while taking something away from another.

Who am I to say how things should or shouldn’t be?

Rather, I can rest in knowing that God loves me.

He cares for me.

He works everything for the good of those who love Him.

God is the one in control. Not me.

And it should be like that.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28