Every Little Step

Perfectionism can be an exhausting, heavy thing. We overthink everything and move on nothing because…well, it has to be perfect- perfect time, perfect place, perfect circumstances, the perfect plan, perfect execution, perfect people (whew, that’s a lot!) But with small intentional steps we push back, combatting illusion with the Truth & acceptance. With every little step we free ourselves to be all God created us to be and show up in this world the way He intended.

And with that, my steps have lead me here…

COMING SOON TO AMAZON…

Barnabas Blessings, the book, is on the way. Stay tuned for updates. Cover art & design by Ronaldo J. Sellers.

What If

Ready, set and we’re off! The holiday season is in full swing. Expressions of gratitude, tidings of comfort & joy and shopping deals abound. But for some of us there is only stress and trepidation. The goodness and beauty of the season are eclipsed by neverending to-do lists and unrealistic expectations.

So what if we changed our perspective? Minimized perfection and magnified grace. What if we decided to simply opt out? Opt out of traditions and expectations that weigh us with dread and mask us with insincerity. What if we dared to do something different? Let our “yes” be genuine and purposeful. Let our “no” be firm and free of guilt. What if in the midst of it all we took time to just be…Grateful.

Endless Thanks

Unable to contain in just one day,

A lifetime of profession.

A daily exercise of appreciation,

For this life uniquely my own,

For the glorious triumphs,

For the disheartening defeats,

For the gift of grace,

For mercies renewed,

For everyday blessings,

For the difficult journeys,

For the smallest joys,

For the sting of self-reflection,

For the hope in growth,

For love unfettered and unconditional,

For the joy of family,

For the solace of friends.

Thanks to a God so Magnificent, so Wonderful, and so Good.

Humbled by His presence and in awe of His care. -LAS

“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”

Psalms 105:1-2

One

Just wanted to start off the week with a little marriage & husband appreciation. I’ve been married for almost 17 years. No, it has not been all sunshine & rainbows. Yes, every step has been and continues to be worth it. I wouldn’t want to be on this journey with anyone else.

We dream

To reach beyond what we know

Trusting the Dream Giver

Accepting the risks

Savoring the victories

Building on the failures

Ever learning

Ever growing

Together

One

-LAS

The Truth & a Lie

Justified lies still lie

Selfishly protecting comfort

Desperately hoarding acceptance

Necessary truths left unsaid

Denying their power to set free

-LAS

Instead we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of His body, the church.” – Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

A New Thing

Understanding what was

The gift of hindsight

The wisdom of experience

At peace with what is

Reconciling expectations

Forgiving what can’t be known

Hopeful for what will be

Buoyed by promise

Walking by faith

Envisioning endless possibilities

A New Thing.

-LAS

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”- Isaiah 43:19 NLT

She Thought of Suicide

She thought of suicide today

No dark obsession

No detailed plan

Just a fleeting moment

With the weight of the world on her shoulders

Her mind teetering on the edge

“What if?”

She thought of suicide today

And felt ashamed

Comparing her plight

A life seemingly uncomplicated

Despising her weakness

She thought of suicide today

For just a fleeting moment

And then…

She reached out for help.

LAS

You are not alone. There is Hope. There is Light in the darkness. Hold on. Reach out.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬