I have written much, spent a lot of ink, on the topic of shame. Shame is, in my opinion, my #1 enemy when it comes to joy-robbing. He’s almost giant in proportion, but not quite big enough (this is true,…
Life just keeps moving forward, and here I am, still navigating these roads that lead to joy. Along the way, I’ve discovered a lot of ways to create space finding joy. By creating space, I am choosing joy above…
A few weeks ago, a friend posted the following on Facebook. It was immediately convicting and heart-breaking. Here’s the quote: “When we are busier than God requires us to be, we do violence to ourselves…Thomas Merton understood this and…
True confessions: I am a planner. I’ve learned to be more flexible over time. Considering the life we have led, one can’t plan too far in advance. So, I don’t do goal-setting, or I’d spend my life totally frustrated.…
I’m finding myself more aware than ever, and, definitely on the alert for the following things: Camp Robber #1: Unrealistic Expectations Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Camp Robber #3: Unplanned Waiting Camp Robber #4: Unforeseen Circumstances However, there is an even sneakier…
I probably should have waited on last week’s blog about “unplanned waiting.” I’d written it early (like a day too early), before leaving to surprise my grandson for his 8th birthday party. The next day was essentially a day…
Camp Robber #1: Unrealistic Expectations Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Camp Robber #3: Unplanned Waiting I’ve spent my share of time in waiting rooms. I don’t like them! In a waiting room, we hover between now and not yet.…
Last week we identified Camp Robber (Joy Robber) #1: Unrealistic Expectations. This week, Camp Robber #2: Unreasonable Questioning Here’s a situation that came up this week: A restructuring of a retreat at which I’d been asked to speak next…
Last fall when Bay and I took a Sabbath Day and drove up into the mountains, we stopped along the way to picnic. The entire time, we fought off cute-little-birds that tried to steal our food right off the…
This week’s blog looks back at last week’s bible verse of focus: Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy (Proverbs 12:20). I zeroed in more on “personal peace.” Without…