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Where the Tweet Hits the Street or A White Suburban Woman's Call to Confront Racism

As I sit before an empty screen and type, my heart is anything but empty. My heart is full; full of sadness, despair, guilt, confusion, pain, and questions. The divide in our nation is deep, deeper than I’ve ever seen it. I have literally and figuratively been driven to my knees in prayer and brokenness. The problems we face are enormous and I am just one person. Moreover, I am just one 55 year old white woman from the suburbs.  So, I’ve prayed and prayed. I have cried out to God, asking him what I should do. HE has replied, over and over by putting these words on my heart. I am going to share them in several different versions because as I have parked on Micah 6:8, each version has added clarity to my focus. He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (NIV) He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to w
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Endure

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On Friday morning I was texting with my sister, Betty. (Ok, technically she is my sister-in-law but the heart overrules genetics and she is my sister) Since Betty is in California and I’m in Wisconsin, we typically communicate via text messages. As always, it was wonderful to see a message pop up from her. She asked how I was doing and I replied and told her that to be quite honest, I was struggling a little. Betty is one of the most encouraging people I know and has such a heart for the Lord and others, so I knew I could be real with her. As we texted back and forth about all that was going on, she shared that the Lord had given her the word “endure” for this time. Betty went on to share how she applies this to our present trials.  I am so grateful for my wise sister. Since yesterday I have been reflecting on her word. Endure. The meaning is even more profound in light of Good Friday. I am reminded. “We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the
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Sidewalk Chalk, Christmas Lights & Fruit

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV What an amazing passage to being my day! I am reminded to trust in the Lord and promised that because I am planted in HIM, I don’t have to fear circumstances. This passage also makes it my heart’s desire to continue to bear fruit to HIS glory in this season. My heart is truly overflowing as I read these words in Jeremiah.  I felt I had to do something today so my daughter, Carly and I headed outside. Together we covered our driveway with encouraging words and happy images for our neighbors. As we were chalking, we waved at everyone driving past and they returned our waves. Friends, it is the little things! Now, as I type this, my husband is outside stringing up
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Loving & Serving Others

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.   If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. As I read these verses today, I am challenged to find ways to love others deeply, to serve them, and to offer hospitality during this most unusual time. I fully believe that with God all things are possible. We may have to think outside the box, but it can be done.   I am so encouraged as I see that some of the worst times are bringing out the best in many people. We have the ability to serve one another in so many ways, despite our current situation.
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Lord, Don't Let Me Waste This

                It has been a long time since I have posted. Life for all of us has drastically changed. Almost everyone I have spoken to is struggling in some way with a spirit of fear and a spirit of heaviness. There are so many things that we didn’t do enough or took for granted that we no longer can do. We can’t gather together and hug one another or physically worship with our church family. The hug and praying hands emoji’s we once used, mean more than ever now. Relationship has become the collective longing of our hearts.           As I sit here struggling just like the rest of the world, I’m trying to make sense of it all. As I have prayed, I find myself asking that what we are experiencing won’t be wasted. I pray that this will bring relationship to the forefront of my mind. We were created for a relationship with God and with others. I’ve often neglected both. My heart’s cry is for this to draw us all near to God and to one another. I am praying for a revival th
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