It had been a long time since I heard God speak in such a clear, unmistakable way. It took me by surprise. Of all things He could have used to send me a message, He chose a bird. A plain, small backyard sparrow delivered a message that I will never forget. It was 2002 and I was home with a small baby and an unemployed husband. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001, my husband’s job was eliminated only three months after the birth of our firstborn. Our savings were draining fast, Continue Reading
The Stress of “SURPRISE” {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I love surprises! I don't, however, enjoy the surprise of a stressful situation. Have you ever gone to work only to find out that people have been laid off, or your company is being "reorganized"? Maybe you've experienced an unexpected death in the family, or a diagnosis of cancer after a routine visit to the Dr. This type of stress takes us by surprise and sometimes leaves us feeling out of control. Our bodies and minds tell us to instantly respond to the stress. Our emotions run high, Continue Reading
Royal Priesthood… Or a Royal Mess? {SHE SOARS Conference}
One morning in January, as I sat in my prayer closet, searching God’s heart for the theme of our ministry’s conference this year, I heard one single word: CHOSEN As if often happens when the Holy Spirit speaks, I knew exactly what He meant, and where to find it. 1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you Continue Reading
Anxiety & Depression In the Church {Atlanta Journal Constitution}
Hi. My name is Patricia and I am a recovering anxious Christian. I hid behind the smile and said everything was great, even though my world was falling apart. I lied to myself that I could handle one more item on my to-do list, even though I knew I was about to hit a wall and crash. And I believed that my anxious days were behind me, only to find out that anxiety may be my thorn in the flesh. 'Til Kingdom come. I was sitting in my church’s choir rehearsal this week, skimming through Continue Reading
When Our Ideal Isn’t Real {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
I thought the world would come to a standstill the day I discovered my ideal wasn’t real. It was a Sunday afternoon after church, December 2004, when my oldest son, a freshman in college at the time, walked in the front door, through the kitchen, into the family room and emptied his pockets of his most prized possessions, laying them gently on his daddy's chest. The weight of my son’s wallet, checkbook and car keys woke my napping husband. As if innately ready for turbulent air, he pulled his Continue Reading
Moses and the Honey Bees: Exodus 33 {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}
A couple of summers ago, I had the opportunity to watch some bees going about the busy task of flying back and forth for hours, just doing their pollinating thing. This task ultimately produces the lip-smacking honey we southerners love to drench our cat-head biscuits in. And yes, that's a real thing. As I watched, I thought, “They are simply doing what they were created to do.” They don’t have to pray about it, or waste time trying other things until they figure out what they are really Continue Reading
