Female in Motion

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada L ord, make me an instrument of Thy peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen .--St. Francis of Assisi, 13th century These words were set to music in the 1970s, and my vocal music instructor in Junior High School assigned us the task of singing this 12-page concerto by Mary McDonald. It was an ambitious piece for a group of awkward adolescents. We gave it our all, though, and it was well received.  I have always kept the words to this beautiful poem tucked away in my heart. It strengthens me w...

Last Christmas, I was steaming around my mother's house, trying to round up chairs so everyone could sit while opening gifts. My siblings, my daughters, and their families were there. I dashed back to a corner in the basement, picked up two chairs and promptly dropped one. My daughter walked into the room as I was berating myself. "Carol, you stupid idiot, get it together!" "Hey!" she warned, "Don't talk to my mom that way!" Ouch! I was caught. Despite making strides in my journey of self-acceptance, I came up short in a stressful situation. I disappointed my daughter, my Savior, myself. Before I set my head on the pillow that night, I made it right with God. "Forgive me, Lord," I said. And that's when I realized the fight wasn't with myself. The Enemy had a victory that day. I am not the one putting those negative words in my head. When I let my guard down, Satan slithered in my mind with words of defeat and misery. I n...

I am feeling a little weary today, after a half-day of work, a Relay For Life meeting, and my first post-surgical grocery shopping trip, so I am posting a video of a Scott Krippayne song, "Sometimes He Calms the Storm." Several people have quoted lines from this song to me. It fits my current situation, and anyone else who is going through a difficult season. I've included the lyrics below, because they are so meaningful. You are not alone. "All who sail the sea of faith Find out before too long How quickly blue skies can grow dark And gentle winds grow strong Suddenly fear is like white water Pounding on the soul Still we sail on knowing That our Lord is in control Sometimes He calms the storm With a whispered peace be still He can settle any sea But it doesn't mean He will Sometimes He holds us close And lets the wind and waves go wild Sometimes He calms the storm And other times He calms His child He has a reason for each trial  That w...