{a thankfulness list} now.

What are you thankful for today?

Sorry to ask a deep question
if you've just taken the first sips of coffee
and the caffeine has yet to kick in....but...
sleepy-eyed that you are,
what are you thankful for today?

I don't know if you're like me, 
but sometimes, 
when things are bumpy and rough,
I focus on them. The bumpy and rough, I mean.
I find that instead of lifting my head to see the
blue sky,
sunlight,
green trees,
and soaring carefree birds,
I see all of the stuff that's "wrong".
Maybe sometimes you do that, too? 

So what are you thankful for today?
Make a list.
Write it down.
Get out of your own head
and look around at the small and the simple.
Because even the smallest and the most simple
are really and truly profound blessings.

Maybe start a thankfulness list today.
Start with just three things.
Grab a sticky note or a notebook or your hand 
(gasp...don't tell your mother I told you to write on your hand)
and write 'em down.
One, two, three. 
Simple. Easy.
And beautiful.

Many blessings,
Deni

{racing that thing} now.

I tried to outrun a kid on a bike.

Granted, I was in the 4th or 5th grade, but I did. 

I had new shoes (white with red stripes), 

and the kid on the corner with his fancy bike was just asking to lose. 

So I dared him. 

I would run on the grass median between the sidewalk and the street 

and he would ride on the sidewalk.

It was a perfect plan.

Except for the trees that dotted the grass medians 
that I was going to run on.

And except for the fact that Tommy pedaled like his feet were on fire. 

There was a moment when I needed to avoid a tree

and ducked into the sidewalk to bypass it.

I thought Tommy was eating my dust and was nowhere near me.

Umm. Yeah. I was wrong.

We ended up on the sidewalk in a heap.

And I still have the scar on my forty-one year old knee to prove it. 

No matter how fancy your shoes are,

you can't outrun a bicycle.

Especially if the kid who lives in the house on the corner's 
the one behind the handlebars.

So...

You know that thing?

That thing that sits in the corner each day 

taunting you from the shadows? 

That thing you dare to race?

That thing you've lost to? 

For some reason, you just can't outrun it...

on your own.

No matter how fancy and stripey your shoes,

no matter how strong your willpower,

you just can't seem to win.

Don't dare it to race 

on your own.

Instead, take off those fancy shoes 

And start the race on your knees.

Give that thing that chases you...

that haunts you...

to Jesus. 

Ask for His strength.

His outlook.

His future. 

Seek Him with all you've got.

And then lace up your shoes.

And run

With Christ.

Will you need to bypass an obstacle?

Sure. Count on it.

When you do, keep your eyes on Jesus.

He'll show you safe passage.

With Jesus, there is freedom.
And hope. And mercy.
And victory over that thing that's chasing you.
With Jesus.

And that scar that you wear from the races you've lost?

That's okay.

God just might use it someday 

to help someone else

run their race.


let Paul cheer you on a little bit:
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back. So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.  ~Ephesians 3:12-16

Many blessings,

Deni

{let's go} now.

Pack your bags.

Let's go. 

Adventure is waiting.
God's given us another chance.

Another morning.

Another sunrise.

Another breath.

So what are you waiting for?

An invitation?

Look out your nearest window.

See that sun?

Those clouds?

Hear that breeze blowing?

See those leaves?

That's your invitation.

Engraved for you.

By God.

So let's go. 

Pack your bags.

Adventure is waiting.

God's given you another chance.

You're different this morning than you were last night.
You have a fresh start.

You are beautifully you.

And you're ready to go. 

Wait? 

Why wait?

Why would you?

This week.

This day.

Right now. 

Your dreams.

Your giant list of things to do.

And all of the things you wanted to do but, up until now, have put off. 

All. Of. It. 

Let's go.

Pack your bags.

Adventure is waiting.

God's given you another chance.
Let's not waste it.

The Lord’s love never ends; his mercies never stop.

They are new every morning; Lord, your loyalty is great. ~Lamentations 3:22-23

Many blessings for your week,

Deni

{Friday} now.

It's Friday.

You made it.

:)

As I wait for the coffee to brew, let me ask you a question:

What was your favorite experience of the week?

Was it a cup of coffee shared with a friend?

A favorite sweater that you had the chance to wear? (hello fall)

Maybe it was finally getting that project done 
and scratched off your to-do list.

Or the phone call that you made after putting it off for so long.

Or the note you wrote.

Or the email you sent.

Or...

what?

As you start this day, stop for just a moment.

For just a beat.

And think.

What was your favorite experience of the week?

And, if you can't think of one,

have one. 

Today.

Call someone.

Drop a note in the mail.

Send a text 

(sprinkled with cute emoticons, of course).

Just do something.

Make someone's day.

You never know.

In doing so, 
you just might make yours.

Happy Friday.

Many blessings,
Deni

Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.  ~Romans 12:11-13

                                                                                                                                        

                                     

{invite happiness} now.

Happy.

What makes you happy?

Does it seem selfish to think about that?

You? Your happiness?

Being happy is a good thing, you know. 

So back to my question:

what makes you happy?

And why not usher it forth just a little bit today?

Invite happiness.

Ask it to pull up a chair and join the party.

You could use a little happiness about now, right? 

Maybe a hot cup of tea on a chilly fall morning would bring you bit of happiness.

Perhaps five minutes with a good book would do the trick.

Your favorite Bible verse placed where you will see it all day long.

And something sweet.

Or something salty.

Take a brisk walk at lunch. 

Or take a couple of seconds to light a candle on your desk.

And watch it flicker.

And feel the flicker

in your soul

because you did something...

no matter how small...

to usher in a little happiness.

And it felt good.

It doesn't have to be big.

Happiness doesn't take up much room.

Just extend it an invitation

and let the party begin.

Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never-ending, and I know true joy and contentment.  ~Psalm 16:11

Many blessings,

Deni

{luminous} now.

For the mornings when through a fog 

you peer at your reflection in the mirror

and are disappointed by what you see,

and, in the next second, 

you scold yourself for even feeling that way,

lift your head.

For the moments when 

your heart seems to break and beat

and break all over again,

and you think that you should feel 

better, 

stronger, 

more peace-filled 

by now,

find rest for your soul.

Here.

In Christ.

God's love covers it all.

The cracks and fissures caused by injustice.

Jesus will heal it all.

The hurtful words.

The tough moments.

He will heal it all.

He has a plan for you.

And it's one that drips with freedom.

He has more in mind for you.

Today.

He has a way when there seems to be no way.

Seek Him. 

Whisper a prayer. 

Take a moment to breathe with Him.

So, lift your head.

And know that you were created to be...

victorious,

gracious,

generous,

luminous.

That's who He made you to be.

You are His beautiful reflection.

So, dear friend, 

walk in freedom

and mystery

and light

and awe

today.

For you are luminous.

Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!                             ~Matthew 5:14 & 15

Many blessings,

Deni

{wonder} now.

Today

don't let them tell you that you're a grown-up.

Don't let them tell you that you can't dance or sing

or stop and gaze at a color-changing leaf.

Or a tiny lizard.

Or a sun-dappled sky.

Take all the time you need to inspect a raindrop.

Or the movement of the clouds overhead.

Or your own heartbeat.

Notice the small and the everyday

with fresh wonder.

The color,

the texture

of the things that surround you.

And know that God looks at you,

interacts with you,

in the same way.

He notices the details,

the colors, 

the textures.

He created them, you know.

He created you.

So live and love

and notice and interact

with His creation today...

all the while knowing 

that you're 

a cherished 

and beautiful 

and unique

and wonder-filled 

part of it.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
    He delights in every detail of their lives. ~Psalm 37:23

Many blessings,

Deni

ps  Would you whisper the name "Ben" to God today?

He is a very young friend of mine 

and he's having a procedure done at the hospital. 

Thank you. 

{good morning, dreamer} now.

Good morning, dreamer.

It's the start of a new day.

The world is awash in pink and purple and orange.

Are you ready?

There are adventures to be had.

Enemies to vanquish.

People to rescue.

Are you ready?

There are causes to stand behind.

And banners to wave.

And addresses to deliver to waiting ears.

Are you ready?

We have dreamed dreams

and seen visions.

And we have hopes for 

this week

this day

this moment.

And we want to be ready for what the Dream-Giver brings.

It's time.

Doesn't it feel like it's time?

To move

to leap

to jump

into action.

To see the dreams we've held in our hearts

for so long

become reality.

Are you ready?

Let's go.

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!  ~Ephesians 3:20

Blessings for your Monday,

Deni

{on letting go} now.

This ride. 

Ahem.

Up until the day before my 40th birthday, 

this was a ride I grinned and beared.

With clenched, white-knuckled fists.

You see, they strap you into an elevator-like contraption.

And they lift the elevator car up...

and they drop the elevator car back down.

Again and again 

and again.

Don't get me wrong, I love thrill rides.

I do.

But I had a love/hate thing going on with this one.

Until one day last year.

That day, instead of gripping the handle bars with all I have,

I let go. 

I don't know why,

but I did.

And I loved it.

It turns out the ride's better when you 

stop holding on like you're gonna die at any second.

When you stop fearing the next drop.

When you stop cringing as you anticipate the next lurch.

When you let go, 

you work with the forces,

the physics,

that are out to move you.

Not against them.

And it's always better moving with

than bracing against.

And so, when I ride this attraction now,

I raise my hands

and laugh

and scream with delight.

Because I know it's more fun 

when I just 
let go.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

~Proverbs 3:5-6

Many blessings for your Friday,

Deni

{a smile} now.

A smile. 

It's a simple thing.

 Small and true and contagious.

Have you caught yourself smiling recently?

Has it caught you off guard?

I mean, things are crazy right now.

Confusing.

Worrisome.

And yet, you smiled.

And it was real.

Really real.

And, oh, it felt good.

Think about those moments.

What were the things that made such a smile...

that bubble of joy that came from your soul...

dance across your face?

Was it the laughter of a child nearby?

A sunny fall afternoon with the car windows down?

The first notes of your favorite song?

A glimpse of grace shown to you by a complete stranger?

What did you do when you realized that, 

despite your troubles and fears and the present-weighing-you-down,

you were smiling?

From your soul? 

I hope you stopped.
And thought. 
And thanked God for such a gift at a time like this. 
And smiled. 
Again.

The Lord is my strength and shield.
    I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
    I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.   

~Psalm 28:7

Many blessings,
Deni :)

{this brand-new day} now.

Painter of the on-fire sky,

Creator of all we see and so much more,

may we reflect You today.

This brand-new day holds more promise 

than our brains could ever

comprehend.

You have spoken, and it is so.

Today.

And so, this day, may we reflect You.

Whatever we do, may it be a beautiful offering to You.

May we dance when You start the music.

No hesitations.

Just dance.

May we sing when You whisper Your love-filled lyrics in our ears.

No second thoughts.

Just sing.

May we reach out when before us You place someone in need.

No agendas.

Just reach.

May we move and play and rest and listen

and paint and write and speak 

today... 

all for You.

May this day be our offering to You.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

~Colossians 3:17

Many blessings,

Deni

{always better in the morning} now.

My mom-in-law is a wise woman. 

My daughter told me some time ago that sometimes when spending the night with Grandpa and Grandma she would get to missing me at bedtime. She told me that, in those moments, my mom-in-law would encourage her to go to sleep and tell her that "things are always better in the morning". 

Things are always better in the morning. Yes. 

With the night can come weariness. Sometimes the wounds inflicted from the battle waged during the day can intensify at night. They throb and they ache. You've been there I'm sure. When sleep just won't come. When the sound of your heart beating in your chest is deafening. When the soldier is just too...tired.

Things are always better in the morning. Yes.

You and I must lay down our swords at some point. We must drop the shield we've lugged around. We've hoped that it would protect us, but perhaps it simply kept us from connecting. We have to tend to the bruised spots. We have to...rest. Even now. 

Things are always better in the morning. Yes. 

Even now, especially now, we have to lean in to the One who fights the battles for us. All in due time. He will see them through to completion. You and I have to lie back and close our eyes and leave our "what ifs" and our objections and our plans and our need to control the outcome at His feet. Leave them there.  

Things are always better in the morning. Yes.

What "night" are you moving through? Whatever it is, my mom-in-law's advice is true...things are always better in the morning. Breathe a prayer. Inhale and exhale. Give the battle to God. And rest. 

 The Lord will fight for you. Just be still.                    ~Exodus 14:14

Many blessings,

Deni

{fall back} now.

Today,

may you find a piece of fall.

Tall and feathered fountain grass.

Brown crunchy leaves on the sidewalk.

Large raindrops sliding down the window.

And may you breathe deep.

Inhale. Exhale.

And may you know,

rest,

revel,

and fall back into

God's amazing love for you.

His favor.

His presence.

See His smile in the things that surround you.

And know that you are truly wonderfully made.

I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way. What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well. ~Psalm 139:14

Many blessings,

Deni

{our stuff} now.

Our worldly goods sit in a moving crate across town. 
And by "across town", I mean 35 minutes away.
The picture above is our crate-o-stuff 
getting ready leaving our home in Maryland.
It disappeared and magically reappeared in Central Florida 10 days later. 

We have visited our stuff twice since moving. 
I miss it. 
Is that wrong to say?
As Christians we're not supposed to be too tied to temporal things, right? 
To stuff?
Well, I miss my stuff. There, I said it.

We're in a furnished townhouse for the fall. 
It was clearly God's provision for us for these four months.
Clearly.

When we moved, the stuff that wouldn't fit in the crate 
(it was literally stuffed to the gills)
got shoved in one of three vehicles to make the trip down.
I say shoved because really, by the time we were done packing 
and sorting and hauling all of our stuff, 
we were quite sick of it. 
And now I miss it. Good grief.

And yet, maybe it's okay that it's across town in it's metal box. 

The couches, the bookcase, the sideboard, my sewing machine...

it's all happy over there I'm sure. 

It'll all wait until the time is right, until we have a place for it all.

In the meantime, maybe I'll learn to live more simply.

To appreciate what I have.

To make do... because what I simply make do with, others in this world could never in their wildest dreams imagine owning. Never.

Maybe I'll learn a little bit more about what is really important. 

And what really just isn't.

Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them.                                                                            Your heart will be where your treasure is.       ~Matthew 6:19-21

Many blessings,

Deni

ps  Endless thanks go to Tom, Gwen, Tristine, and Nancy for helping us sort through and pack up our stuff. Each of you deserves a medal of honor. Or chocolate. Probably both.