Double Portion Inspiration

This time last year I was at a low place. I was facing a medical challenge. I'd sent my oldest son off to college and was slowly adjusting to our new family dynamics. I lost many close family members. Unexpected deaths happened that just didn't make sense to me. My mental health was at best scattered after the highs and lows of senior year, graduation and college send off. I was trying to catch my breath but I couldn't. The mental load of life in the beginning can be easy to hide from others. You spend enough time away from self care and you will soon find yourself running on EMPTY. I was overcommitted in my dueling personal and professional schedules. I knew I needed to slow down BUT I didn't know how . I wouldn't say I'm a super detailed person, but I do try and stay as organized as possible. How do you organize your life?  How do you know what priorities to focus on (personally & professionally)?  How do you manage your time? A dear friend g...

We often pray for physical healing either for ourselves or someone we know. We all know someone that stands in need of physical healing. Whether its cancer, mental illness, dementia, lupus or diabetes, the list of areas where individuals need healing is overwhelming. The list of physical illnesses seem endless. We pray on behalf of our sick loved ones because being ill is difficult and takes its toll on everyone around. Praying for physical healing is powerful and a necessity but what about praying for your soul ? Have you prayed for your soul lately? Have you asked someone to pray for your soul? If you’re physically sick, I’m sure you ask them to pray for your healing, so why aren’t we just as quick to ask them to pray for your UNHEALED SOUL ? Your soul is the part of you that encompasses your mind, will and emotions. The soul is typically an area we refuse to address. It’s that part of you that can lash out in bitterness, anger and rage almost on a dail...

I hear many people confess that our younger generation lives in a bubble of entitlement. These kids believe they are entitled to the latest designer clothes, shoes, or cellphone because they perform well in sports, arts or at school. WHO actually modeled this behavior for them?  Children are sponges and most often repeat, behave or imitate what they’ve seen at home. No one ever really wants to admit it, but it’s true. Small children have mannerisms and daily expressions that come right from their everyday experiences. That child that can’t sit and eat at a restaurant is probably having that normal behavior at home when no one is looking or caring. Enjoy the view and model thankfulness! We can change that dynamic by TEACHING our youth (and adults) to leave  a trail of gratitude in their daily lives. It is easy to say, “Thank You”.  If it seems like a mundane task, still intentionally choose to be thankful. We pass many vehicular accidents on our daily ...

 This is the month that we celebrate our country's independence. We are blessed to live in a country where we are FREE! Free to speak our minds. Free to speak our truth. Free to worship and praise God! In the Bible, several scriptures remind us of our freedom in Christ. To live physically and spiritually free is such a blessing. It reminds us that God is always with us and when we keep Him at the forefront of our lives, we live in true freedom. John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free , you will be free indeed. 2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom . Galatians 5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Ephesians 3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. 1 Peter 2:16 Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by breaking the rules. Treat everyon...

There have been so many incredible posts on social media about high school reunions, proms, college and high school graduations. Even the graduations from PreK seem to tug at my heart. HOW has time moved so quickly?  I remember some of these students playing T-ball with my son and now they have mustaches, taller than me and walking across that stage happily to receive their diploma. Even my own son (Joshua) is graduating from 8th grade and heading into high school (YES high school). Life brings about swift transitions. I remember feeling so many emotions as Tyler (my oldest son graduated last year). The stress and strain of his senior year had taken it's toll on my physical and mental body. By the end of 2018, I was on medical leave for weeks taking a much needed BREAK from LIFE .  If I could only have told myself to CALM down and carry on. I wish someone would have hit me over the head and said, "stop stressing". But they couldn't because I didn't tel...

VALOR . BRAVERY . SACRIFICE These are just a few words to describe many soldiers, cadets and officers that gave it all.  There are families grieving this holiday because their loved one paid the ultimate sacrifice. Many of us (including myself), relish in having a long holiday weekend, beach time and the unofficial start to Summer. Gold star families relive the pain of the moment they found out about their loved one that wouldn't be coming home. Memorial Day is a hard holiday. While I sleep there is a soldier standing watch on foreign soil that I might live and sleep in freedom. Freedom is NOT free. Stop and think about that statement. Veteran's day is when we thank those in the military that are still alive. This weekend we remember those that have given their life. Will you join countless Americans in a moment of silence? Will you silence your plans for a few short seconds to remember the sacrifice of those hurting this holiday? The parents without their children and...

I absolutely love prayer.  I enjoy praying for myself & especially interceding on behalf of others. The opportunity to go before our sovereign God with requests and petitions is an honor! It's also the bedrock of my faith. Jesus' death gives us the availability to pray directly to Him. We no longer need someone to pray for us. We can pray for ourselves! Psalms 4:3 reminds us of this fact: Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him. I'm sure you're asking yourself, why then would she title this post, "Stop Praying?" For years I've prayed in a way to direct, control and manipulate God . Not only would I tell God what I needed,  I would also tell Him how it needed to work out in my favor. As if that wasn't enough, I would also give a timeframe in which to make it all happen. What in the world was I thinking? God isn't a vending machine! He's sovereign . He knows ...