When Loss Happens, Grief Moves In It's been 5 years since I last heard my Aunt's voice say, "Well hello there my Beautiful Niece." She was sick and her voice was weak. I had called too early in the morning and woke her up--but I needed to tell her that I loved her, she was not alone, and that I would come and take care of her. I encouraged her to go to the hospital if she needed to. My exact words were, "Don't sit home and die because you feel like you are alone." I was headed to day two of ... [Read More]
The Last Love Letter: A Treasure for Those Left Behind
DEATH SUCKS! There--I said it! It doesn't matter if the loss is sudden, or if they were on hospice--heartache and emptiness fill the void when a loved one dies--AND. IT. SUCKS! As a Life Coach who specializes in grief and loss, some of the most common things I hear are: "I wish I had a chance to say goodbye" "If only I could tell them I love them one more time" "Its hard because there was so much unfinished" "I wish I'd have been a better..." It all boils down to the same ... [Read More]
A Special Note to Displaced Families this Holiday
Dear Displaced Family on Christmas Eve, Today is Christmas Eve and my heart breaks as I see your social media posts. Many of you have a home, but are considered homeless because you can't live in that home. You are struggling to put celebrations together while living in camper trailers, hotel rooms, or cramped into areas of another person's home. While you are thankful for these places, there is an added sadness because this Christmas doesn't look like you would like it too. You are ... [Read More]
Don’t Despise the ‘In-Between’ Places of Life
So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34 Every Day is an In-Between God's plan is for us to embrace our today. Our present time is a gift--or PRESENT (like how I did that?) . We spend so much time longing for yesterday or anticipating tomorrow, that we make no room for today. What good things do we miss because we don't embrace our today? The truth is, the in-between of our today make up the sum of our ... [Read More]
You Can’t Out Run Grief
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Psalm 46:1-2 The Firing of the Starting Gun: A Race We Don't Want to Run After a loss, we find ourselves with a heavy 'to-do' list. These tasks typically are time sensitive and MUST be taken care of immediately. Like a starting gun firing to signal the start of a painful and overwhelming sprint; we start running to get everything done, ... [Read More]
Not Today by Hillsong–Music and Video
Not Today Hillsong United Trouble won’t throw me Won’t break me Won’t scare me No more Fear must have thought I was faithless When it came for my heart ‘Cause I got a song that will never die I know Your love is the reason why I’ll sing the night into the morning I’ll sing the fear into Your praise I’ll sing my soul into Your presence Whenever I say Your Name Let the devil know not today Tell me did the enemy panic As You took up that cross Tell me did the ... [Read More]
Come Alive (Dry Bones)–Song and Video by Lauren Daigle
Come Alive Lauren Daigle Through the eyes of men it seems there's so much we have lost As we look down the road where all the prodigals have walked One by one the enemy has whispered lies And led them off as slaves But we know that you are god yours is the victory We know there is more to come That we may not yet see So with the faith you've given us We'll step into the valley unafraid, yeah As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive We call out to dead ... [Read More]
Grieving Who I Was–Grieving Who I Am
When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.--Psalm 94:19, NLT Grieving Ourselves When we examine our grief, we think of losing something outside of ourselves. There is a loss, however, that most people don't think of--the grieving of ourselves or who we used to be. It is a case of Grieving Who I Was--Grieving Who I Am. Times I Willingly Said Good-bye to Who I Was I liked 'single me' who had a great job and lived on the river. I was cute and I knew I was cute. I ... [Read More]
God Meets Us in the Wilderness of the In-Between
The righteous person face many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time. Psalm 34:19, NLT The In-Between It is a place we despise. It suggests we are missing something or some how our life isn't complete. Often times we think of the 'in-between' as the hard place between two good or happy seasons of life. "In-between" indicates lack. Where is God in Our In-Between? He is there. He is present. In the midst of the trials of your in-between, God is there and rescuing you. You may ... [Read More]
Is Longing for the Past Rejecting Your Promised Land?
Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. "If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!" they complained. Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Eqypt? Then they plotted among themselves, "Let's choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!" Numbers 14:2-4, NLT Are You Longing for Things of the Past? Have you ... [Read More]
