Female in Motion

Photo courtesy of HolleyGerth.com I've said it before, Holley Gerth gets me. Actually, I'm just paranoid enough to think she might be having me followed. Besides being my favorite inspirational writer, Ms. Gerth shares openly about her struggles with infertility, depression, life. In late March, Holley published a blog post  called "7 Amazing Strengths of a Highly Sensitive Person." I have read and re-read this post many times. Each time, I gather new insights into why I am the way I am. While in therapy more than a decade ago, I learned that I am what is termed an "emotional albino," meaning I am particularly sensitive to others emotions, so much so that I can virtually feel what they are feeling. After 57 years on this planet, I've become more self-aware. My emotions no longer lead me around by the nose. When you are more tuned in to what your mind and body are doing, it helps. Above all, I have things to offer this world. My life has val...

Photo courtesy of lucep.com Galatians 6:2 (KJV) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. "You're an angel!" she said to me. All I had done was make a phone call to a loved one. "No," I said, "I just love you." "No," she persisted, "God used you to bless me!" I didn't think much about what she said, until Sunday morning. Waking up, I didn't feel well. But since it was Easter, I didn't want to miss church. About mid-way through worship, I had to rush to the bathroom. The Hubster became concerned about my absence and asked two of the ladies in Children's Church to look in on me. These young women ministered to me in such a loving way, I was humbled and honored. "You two are angels!" I exclaimed. "We just wanted to help," they replied. And then I understood. Angels can be anyone--anyone who is willing to be used by God. Hebrews 6:10 assures us that God w...

Psalm 127:2 (KJV) It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.  Our family lost a beloved member last week. As we gathered to bury our loved one, we shared family stories and cherished memories. It was tough. We talked and cried and hugged. After we left to make our way back to Kansas, I began to realize how keyed up and exhausted I was. The Hubster, my mom and I stopped at rest stop in Cassoday on the way home. We sat and ate chicken sandwiches, feeling kind of numb. It made me think about what rest stops are, and why they are necessary along the journey. Don't do what I do--go until I collapse completely and sleep for 13 hours. Self-care means time to breathe, sleep and rest. If you want to grow stronger in your faith and endurance, build regular rest stops in your week. This life's journey is long, but periodic rest will bring peace to your tired soul. *** Notable Quote: "We live ...

We made prayer boxes in our small group on Friday night. So much fun! Matthew 21:21-22 (KJV) 21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. 22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.  "Have you ever said, 'Well, all we can do now is pray?'...When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God."--Billy Graham "The reality is, my prayers don't change God. But, I am convinced prayer changes me. Praying boldly boots me out of that stale place of religious habit onto authentic connection with God himself."--Lysa TerKeurst "Prayer is where the action is."--John Wesley

Esther 4:16 (KJV) Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.  Queen Esther's story of courage in the face of crisis is one of my very favorites in the Bible. Let's put it simply--she was a gutsy broad. Although she began her life in Shushan as the niece of a civil servant, her brains, beauty and sweet spirit drew King Ahasuerus to her and Esther became Queen to the ruler of most of Asia and Africa. God placed Esther in the palace at the precise time she was needed most. Her people, the Jews, were in peril of being exterminated. Even as Queen, however, Esther was not allowed to approach the King on his throne unless she was summoned. If she disobeyed the rule and came into the presence of the King without his bidding, she would be killed. Wha...