Are you in the center of an unknown space? If you’re in a season where you are out of routine and the landscape is completely open what is your first response? A free-spirited soul might step out into the newness and begin exploring with eyes awonder. Another who had spent a season of hardship and struggle might leeringly pause on the doorstep to size up the surroundings before leaving the safety within. Most of us are probably in the middle of these extremes. We open the door after a quick glace out of the window. We might step out onto the stoop and glance around for something of interest and then head off to explore at a careful pace aware that we might need to find shelter quickly. Taking a look back in time might help us understand why we respond the way we do.

My mother saved some of my early school papers. Report cards with old-timey writings at each quarter. To read about my younger days and learn how others perceived me was eye-opening. My earliest report spoke of a confident youngster eager to share and learn well. Another spoke of me talking too much in class. Who me? But as I went through these decades-old reports I recalled seasons when life was simpler. When playgrounds were free of danger. Where children just ran and explored. Life was carefree. A place where others were responsible for my safety.

The few high school reports later spoke of a different season. An average student. A reminder of long years of study, a yearning to do better, and a desire to ‘fit in’. A longing to relax and speak at ease with others at school the way some had learned to do.

The last report I had was from my senior year. Three classes. English, Gym, and Art. The only year I got straight A’s. The year of buying my first car, getting an after-school job, and starting out on my own personal journey. A season where I had to find my way in a world bigger than my peers were experiencing. A time when I got to decide where I was going and who’d I spend time with. So many awesome adventures and so many mistakes. The hardest memories are of those decisions that hurt others.

I now jump to pondering my current status as a survivor of many tempest-type seasons. Of learning to relax and just be me. Sometimes I’m exactly the friend someone needs, but often I’m not, and that’s okay too. Some choose a lifetime connection, and others are just a note on my quarterly report-card. 

The teenage years absolutely teach us many truths. You can’t trust everyone, even yourself. You will be graded. You don’t always pass the class. And although your deepest desire is to fit in; you are unique and designed to add flavor to the whole. Even a mild seasoning adds value. And some ingredients are added only at the very end.

These lessons learned, color how we see the world and some connections are imprinted on the fabric of our souls. The time for carefree exploration isn’t what it used to be. In a recognition of that limitation, I must use the wisdom I’ve accumulated. Am I satisfied with where I am or do I require something more?

Spiritually speaking, the next answer will determine how I’m to live and what this last season’s focus will be for me. And as I find myself in the unknown middle of here and there with so many open doors, the question is: Where am I headed? And what comes next?

I’ve come full-circle and I’m much more confident than my teenage self. I may still talk a little too much, but I now I get to report how I’m doing. And there should be no surprises as to ‘what comes next’ as my final report will be written by me.  

Food for thought.

Be blessed and remember to be a blessing.

~Debbie G 

Reflections: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Psalms of David (Psalm 23), John 3, 

#seasonsoflife #Contemplation #whatsnext #spiritualdirection

A huge thank you to WMHR radio and Sonya Hines for another radio interview. This time for my new devotional book!

Also look for an upcoming book signing!

I was approached regarding advice about helping a teenager transition to adulthood. I indeed raised a bunch of kids and sometimes it simply felt like the goal was to ‘just survive’ and get through these years together. And sometimes it didn’t work out that way. I dug through some old writing and found this piece… I couldn’t help but revisit the feelings all over again. But I thought I’d share this parent’s point of view so others that they aren’t alone. Keep pressing in for another day. You will eventually get to the other side of this season.

…

The struggle is real.

I see you pulling away. Everything I do or say is wrong.

I gave what I could: a home, food, clothing, fun family adventures and most importantly… love.

If you’re pulling away and thinking that everything I gave was bad or wrong; if that is what it takes for you to grow and move into the next stage of life, then I release you. You are eighteen. I give you freedom to choose to stay or go.

I understand how difficult growth can be. I also know that someday, not far off into the future you will realize just what a gift it was that you were given. The sweet memories of the laughter and the life we shared will bubble up… up to the surface from where you stuffed them.

I can see that the strong words you use are just a wall you are building to protect yourself from remembering the good times so you can free yourself to move on.

You have my love, and I know that although you may not or perhaps choose to not say it, that you love me too.

So now I do my hardest work and that’s done on my knees, praying for you, my child. I also pray for all those young adults around me that are hiding in their own darkness. I pray for them to see the light and that they too will find their way once again.

I trust in the strength that I’ve been given from above. I trust that you will indeed find your way. In the meantime, my tears are being collected, my worn-out jeans have been patched, and I press on. You, my child, are worth it all. You are etched into my very being… you are mine and you are so loved!  <3 Mom

Blessings all.

~Debbie G

#LettingGoToGrow #adultingdoneright #ParentingIsHard #StrengthFromAbove

Proverbs 22:6

It was a flashback to a sweeter season. My dad’s employer held a company picnic. I couldn’t have been much older than six and with three younger siblings, my father asked me to join him in competing in a three-legged race.

I was a shy little thing, but with my dad’s big smile I was encouraged. We joined a few other parents and children preparing to run, and a lady in a big straw hat used a bandana to join my father and I into a three-legged unit. As she counted down to the start he whispered to me, “Let’s show ‘em what we can do together.”

With a loud shout of, “Go”; off we went. And down we went. Quickly getting back on our feet and stumbling again, just like all the other participants. It’s hard to keep in step when one has a long stride and the other less than half that.

After about our fifth fall, I saw a glint in my father’s eyes as he simply grabbed me around the waist and lifted me up as he began to run. My part of our third leg barely touched the ground as we ran, but they didn’t care and we were declared the winners.

The deep breathing from the exertion, my father’s gasping laughter, and the feeling of achieving something that delighted him are now a treasured memory.

~ ~ ~ 

I am reminded that I also run a spiritual race, and in that race my Heavenly Father is also with me every step of the way. Oh, that I might find myself at that finish line and see the sparkle in His eye and hear the warm in His voice as he greets me.

A new treasure to consider: We don’t run alone.

~Debbie G

#blogpost #writerthoughts #runningtogether #devotionaltime

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Long corridors, face masks. Hand sanitizers. Lots of hoses, blood tests and beeping machines. All this to the backdrop of kid songs playing loudly. Welcome to Pediatric ICU.

The littlest of my littles has been hospitalized for six weeks. For the first few weeks the diagnosis was unknown, testing was done while awaiting answers as they tried to balance her body levels.

It’s hard to describe the realm of the unknown. Parents sleeping on reclining chairs overnight. Tensions high as surgeries for a pic line and a g-tube are done. Good days with smiles, bad days with fever, and other days you find a grumpy little one who just wants to be held. And it’s a sad day when you finally get up to her room at the end of your busy day to find her sleeping peacefully. Alas no snuggles, just a soft touch with a quiet prayer this night.

But oh, the love of those nurses. When parents are working or off dealing with other littles don’t be surprised if find her in the midst of nurses chatting at their station with her close by in a little stroller so she’s not alone in her room.  I have popped in to find a nurse in training who had spent a good part of her morning playing with this little one until grandma slipped into the room.

The diagnosis finally comes in. A rare genetic disorder. After a month her body is finally stable enough to start treatment. Gratitude fills my heart when her body accepts the medication without an issue. There are whispers that she’ll be released soon. She’ll be farther away from this grandma, but we now have a pretty good bond. She knows my voice and points her finger like a queen at her acceptance of my presence as I enter.

So grateful for quality care. For a land where medication can treat illnesses, and for the gift of family. It’s never easy, but always worth it.

An extra prayer for us as we adjust would be a great blessing for all.

Be blessed and be a blessing.

~Debbie G

#PediatricCare #sickbaby #growingstrongertogether
#FamilyTies

Galatians 6:2

I just listened to a podcast about how spiritual discipline was like running a marathon. And my mind looped back to a time when I was a teenager, perhaps 15 years old, and on a lazy summer day I decided to run the loop around our oval driveway.  It felt good to stretch my spindly legs and I kept jogging down the slope and then up around again. Maybe I’ll try to do ten laps. I accomplished that fairly well so I added ten more laps as a goal and that’s how my personal challenge increased at each success.

There hit a space where my body felt wiped out. I might not hit the goal this time around. I quickly decided I’d just keep going until I couldn’t go anymore. And somewhere after 50 laps my body just maintained an old-lady type jog. Feet barely off the ground, but still moving. After I hit 80 laps, I just decided my goal would be 100. Much like the children’s story of The Little Train That Could I told myself to ‘just keep going.’

As the podcast ended, I realized that challenging myself as a teen had in a way taught me that even though my body said it’s over, it’s time to quit; that indeed my body could sustain itself and go much farther. It wasn’t a pretty run, but the goal was accomplished.

In my life’s journey, I believe that early challenge allowed the mindset that I could even when everything within me said I couldn’t.

There will be moments where we face the unknown, the unfamiliar, and plainly the undesired stumbling stones. And the question always is, ‘Can I do this?” A place where everything within us shouts. ‘NO!’

But be encouraged. Deep within there is a quiet voice that whispers, “Just one more step.” And somehow you get through it. One little step at a time.

I was almost twice that age before Jesus entered my life. I now have a treasure store of experiences where He has carried me through. But I am convinced by this little memory that it was Him way back then, whispering to me to “just keep going.”

Stay the course.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

~Debbie G

• And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9
• I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
• Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, Proverbs 3:13

#wisdomthoughts #strongerthanyouknow #StrengthWithin

It was a careless mistake. A simple turn of an ankle and down I went. Unfortunately, I hadn’t secured the lens cap on my camera and a piece of my history cracked along with the lens.

“Nope, we don’t repair ‘em. Nobody does. Too expensive. They don’t make that model anymore. Gotta buy a new one.”

I was heading out the door and had hoped to catch some fall foliage scenes, but not on this trip. I placed the camera on a side table and there it sat.

It was a busy season.  When I returned, I researched different models. But I was used to the one I had and I bemoaned learning how to use a different one. Technology, and I mean all aspects of technology, is not my native language.

Another week slipped away, and the camera silently called to me when I passed by it. I found the same model being sold second hand, but the closest one was five hours away. Nope. No time for that. A few days later I located a similar camera nearby with a few extra features and brought it home.

That’s when sadness set in. It snuck in at the end of a good day. And I couldn’t anticipate its reoccurrence. So, I picked it up, this sadness, and held it like an heirloom and inspected it carefully.

It wasn’t the loss of the camera; it was the loss of the man who bought it for me in his support of my ‘spreading my wings’ and starting a blog page. It was just one of the ways my husband had encouraged me throughout my writing journey.

Grief. It is silent. Unseen. And oh, so personal.

Somehow it helps to know that you don’t walk through sad places alone. In a room full of people there is bound to be someone else grieving. A listening ear and kindness matters.

Thanks for listening.

Bes blessed and be a blessing.

~ Debbie G

#Grief #KindnessMatters #GriefShare

Romans 12:15

Meet Jimmy, a Schnauzer with anxiety issues. When consigned to care for this little guy, he immediately became clingy. Followed me everywhere, camped at my feet or curled tightly beside me on the sofa.

His owners provided a square of fabric called his anxiety blanket. If he picked it up, I’m supposed to tug on it to help him relieve his stress.

Last night in a big, busy city, I took him out for a potty break. It was dark. People were moving things, clanging loudly from several directions. I could see they were just finishing their work, but little Jimmy jumped in panic and tried to bolt. I held the leash. He didn’t get far, but he wasn’t planning on staying there. I tried to lead him to a new space, but he sat by the door and wouldn’t budge. That’s how the evening ended.

This morning when told we were going outside, he ran for his blanket and insisted on taking it with him. He carried it down the hallway, into the elevator, but I took it from him before we got out the main door. 

And I thought, how much we are like Jimmy. We hold our little security blanket when we have our great big, protector God with us. He can scoop us up in times of trouble and yet we cling to some earthly thing that brings us comfort.

I hope little Jimmy one day learns to trust his care provider so completely that he will cling to the one who is with him always.

A little dog with a great big lesson.

Be blessed and be a blessing,

Debbie G

#securitycheck #trustinginGod #writerthoughts 

As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God! Psalm 40:17