This morning, as I was cleaning my glasses, I noticed this little sticker sitting on my dresser. It said, "She believed she could so she did." And while I kind of like this self-made woman kind of sentiment, it made me ask myself some questions, like...

• Is it that simple? Does believing really make anything possible?
• Did she really do it all on her own?
• Is her belief in herself enough?
• Where does God fit into the picture?

When I think back over my life, I can most definitely see ways in which my belief in myself was a key element in my successful endeavors that range from running marathons to finishing degrees. Without the belief that I could accomplish what I set my mind to do, I would have been less likely to find the strength to make it to the finish line.

But for all the belief in myself, I also know that there have been many others who believed in me as well - my hubby, my parents, my friends, my kids - without their belief and support, I am not sure I could have been nearly as successful in my life.

But even with all that support behind my own confidence in my abilities, I believe there is still another element that is neglected in this little saying: God's work in and through me.

You see, I know that there have been so many times when I didn't think I could continue on, didn't think I would ever see success or completion of something that I believed I could do. Whether it was because of outside influences, internal struggles, lagging strength, or faltering faith, there have been many times when I was sure I would never see it through.

But each time, something happened that changed the outcome that would have come if I tried to do it in my own strength. Each time there were ways in which things happened that have no other explanation but that God intervened on my behalf.

A perfect example of this is my call to ministry. I knew that God had called me to pastoral ministry, but there were speed bumps and hurdles thrown in unexpectedly all along the way, to the point that I was ready to give up. I mean, if it was truly God calling me, then God was going to have to make it happen, because I didn't have it in me to keep going. It's not that I didn't believe that I was supposed to be a pastor, because I knew I was, but no matter how strong my belief, I couldn't make it happen.

And, spoiler alert, God made it happen.

And here I am again, believing that I can finish this Doctorate of Ministry, and doing what I can do to make that happen, but also knowing that without God's help - strengthening me, working in my mind, speaking into my heart, and bringing people alongside to encourage and lift me up - my success is not guaranteed.

So I think maybe I want to change this saying to something along the lines of...


What do you think? How have you experienced this in your life?

Comment below and let's talk about it.

Ever had one of those days where you couldn't stay on task no matter how hard you tried?

In other words, you become like the dog in UP running one way, doing one thing, and then suddenly you stop and turn because "squirrel!"

That happened to me (again) today. After a couple of good hours of studying for Sunday's sermon, I got up to go into the office workroom to find a three-ring binder for my Advent series planning stuff.

And then, "squirrel!" And a couple of hours later I walk back into my office, saw the pile of Advent series planning papers and said, out loud, to no one but myself, "Oh yeah, I went in there for a binder."

I had found the binder the minute I walked into the room, but then I got distracted by some clutter and as I started to clean it up, I realized there was a cabinet that I hadn't yet cleaned out, and if I could clean it out, then some of the clutter sitting around on countertops could go into said cabinet. Which then led me to move some Bibles and hymnals to a shelving unit in the sanctuary storage area where the rest of the hymnals and Bibles are kept. And then. And then. And then.

Until I finally got that binder, punched holes in the papers, and got it all squared away.

Then I came home, where I was going to work on some content planning for the church's November social media. But there were dishes on the counter that needed to go in the dishwasher, and a box that needed torn down for recycling, and dogs that needed to go out, and I was super hungry, and then, about the time I sat down to work, hubby got home from work. And then it was time to eat. And then it was time to get dressed for Halloween. And then it was time to hand out candy.

"Squirrel!"

Needless to say, content planning will have to happen on another day - probably tomorrow - and chances are tomorrow I will be hyper-focused and get more done than I could have possibly done today.

But some days are just squirrel days. And it's not like I didn't get anything done - that workroom needed some tidying and it is now very tidy - so I just have to accept it for what it is - a squirrel day.

Does this happen to you? How do you handle squirrel days?

And now, let me offer you a squirrel with some cute pictures of my dogs and I dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, Granny, and The Big Bad Wolf. Enjoy!

It's been awhile since I last blogged. July 2, 2023 was the last time I posted on my previous website. I had just cut my hair super short in anticipation of starting chemotherapy after a January 2023 breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent mastectomy (that eventually led to a 2nd mastectomy, followed by radiation).

Needless to say, blogging was the last thing on my mind as I fought for my life.

But I have realized that I have missed writing. I have missed processing my life by putting words together and sharing what I am learning as I make my way through this beautifully imperfect life that I lead.

So, I'm rebranding and restarting in hopes of working out the stuff of life with you, my readers.

What will this look like?

To put it simply, I have no idea.

I do know that things will get real in here.

I do know that music, books, food, exercise, faith, family, friends, and silliness will all be present at various times.

I think maybe I will re-visit some of my old blog posts to see how my world has adapted over the years. Or maybe I won't.

And I do know that even if no one but me ever reads a word of my writing, it will still be worthwhile.

So, if you want to know more about me, check out the About page.

If you have something you want me to write about, or questions for me to attempt an answer, leave a comment.

And then, stay tuned...

...the journey is just getting started.