Female in Motion

The Memorial Day holiday gives everyone a chance for a rest. America loves a three-day weekend. From the Greek, " sabbatismos ," meaning a Sabbath rest, or a time of relaxation, rest is something we all need at times. That time for me is right now. Mark 6:31 (KJV) And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. The disciples were exhausted. They had been teaching and traveling for weeks. Ministering to the spiritual needs of others is a noble cause, but it takes a lot out of a person. In this verse, Christ encourages them to sit a spell and get quiet with Him. On the seventh day of creation, God rested from His labors and made a Sabbath. Ordinarily, I have a go-go mentality, and seldom sit down to rest my body or mind. This period of rest has been difficult, but much needed. The more I allow myself to rest, the more my body and mind crave the still...

 Psalm 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee. Stuff. Worries. Burdens. We all have things we carry...on our backs and in our hearts. Whether you have loads of burdens or just one big, bulky boulder, they are heavy. Some people say I carry a lot of burdens. I just finished treatment for breast cancer. The Hubster suffers with a chronic blood cancer. Our 16-year-old data processing business has taken some very hard blows this year. Life here on earth is unsure. I may be cancer-free the rest of my life, or it may recur. The Hubster may outlive his illness. We have loved ones who have fought cancer and won; we have lost others that we held so dear. Our business may bounce back and become stronger than ever, or I may have to go out and pound the pavement for a new job. I know this for sure. No matter how much I worry, or stay up at night, or even wring my hands...I have no power to change the future. It's in God's capable hands. Life may ba...

Mom and I in Savannah, GA The first book of the Bible I ever fell in love with is the book of Ruth. I am enamored with the rich, wonderful love story...but not what you might think. I'm talking about the relationship between Ruth and her mother-in-law. Merely four chapters before the books of Samuel, Ruth is a young woman of Moab who married a man from the far away land of Bethlehem. Within a decade, Ruth's husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law are dead, leaving only Ruth, her sister-in-law, Orpah, and mother-in-law, Naomi. Deciding to head for home, Naomi tells the young women to return to their families. Orpah leaves, but Ruth refuses to go. "Whither thou goest, I will go," she vows. And she followed her mother-in-law all the way home to Bethlehem to begin life over again. They are bonded in grief, mutual respect, and new-found faith. Not afraid of hard work, Ruth sets about to make a living for herself and Naomi. It was a hard thing to be a woman w...

Last week, a good woman died. Jennifer Carothers was a beautiful, vibrant 26-year-old wife and mom. Hundreds of people lined up on Saturday to pay their respects to Jen's family. Many stepped forward during the service to testify about the difference she made in their lives.  Some talked about Jen's sense of humor, her loyalty, fierce love of family and courage. Her faith in Christ was mentioned by several others. Her husband said the light in his life was gone. This was a woman who loved life and people with wide-open arms. She touched so many people in her short life. As busy as she was with her own stuff, Jen never failed to drop everything if someone needed help. There was no mistaking her heart and hugs. As members of the same church congregation, she gave me much-needed words of encouragement. I loved her dearly. Matthew 5:14-16 (KJV) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel...