Category Archives: Reflections on Life

Fun Friday Taste Test

Leave a reply

Taking a break from serious stuff to embrace some fun today.

I bought three bags of the new M&M flavors: English Toffee, Mexican Jalapeño, and Thai Coconut.

Did a little informal taste test with my colleagues with some surprising (to me) responses.

By the way, today we also had our annual “Eat More Greens” potluck. Plenty of salad with fixings, guacamole with green tortilla chips and spinach dip with cucumber slices. I brought green grapes. I was motivated by “easy.”

Back to the M&Ms…

All the options were peanut but each flavor had a different color scheme. I tried not to tell people what the flavors were ahead of their tasting – just wanted them to pick a favorite.

Surprisingly many already knew there was a jalapeño option and wouldn’t even try it. Not even one little one. Others passed up the whole thing because they didn’t want to be caught off guard. I think my coworkers have trust issues. Or need to try new things occasionally. Most took this challenge very seriously – taking a moment between each flavor to “cleanse their palette” and give each one a careful consideration.

Results? The winner was English Toffee by 2 votes over Thai Coconut. Jalapeño came in third but those who voted it their favorite were adamant and enthusiastic. And when I suggested that flavor may be even better with dark chocolate, eyes lit up. Some of us take our chocolate very seriously.

One person said “none of the above.” Really.

Stop by your local HyVee Drugstore to pick up a bag (or three) to try them yourself.

He’s in the Small Stuff Too

Leave a reply

It’s not the big crisis that floors me, it’s those little nagging issues that set me back. For instance, a number of years ago God brought us through a very trying and stressful time where we absolutely depended on the goodness and favor of God for our daily bread. And not just bread, but gas, clothes, credit card bills, toiletries, medications…you get it. He provided everything we needed. We were never late with a payment, never went hungry, never appeared destitute.

I depended on a continual stream of prayer – talking and listening to God – all day, every day – to get me through that time. Some days He was quieter than others. Sometimes I prayed: “God, just give us a sign today that You’re there.” And He always did. Every . Time.

So today – when we are facing a much lesser issue (water in our basement) – why do I stew and fret and stress? Somehow I think I don’t need to bother God with this “little stuff.” We’ve called our wonderful handyman friend. We can rent a carpet vacuum for the clean water. We can do a lot in our own strength.

Praise_the_Lord (1)But He cares about every little detail. Every little “small stuff” in my life – and yours too. An earlier blog details how He loves to answer prayers that reveal His love for us. So – when I finish this – I’ll be praying for the water to stop seeping in, for the window repairs to be minor and easy to fix, for the sun to come out and dry out all the wetness everywhere.

Maybe you’re facing a little thing today – something you can “handle” on your own, but it’s causing some anxiety anyway. Can anyone say “taxes” or “rising flood waters” or “crazy schedule?” Whatever is causing you to stress is taking your mind off your Father God who desires to help you through whatever you are facing today. Praise Him and ask for help. He’s ready and willing.

Chill Out!

Leave a reply

Golly, it’s so easy to get bent out of shape about stuff, isn’t it?

The line is too long at Walmart but you don’t want to use the self-check because those machines are just taking somebody’s job. Can you believe that mom with all those kids? Can’t she make them behave? I only have 3 items…how long will this take?

The traffic is crazy, people passing you right and left on the interstate, flying by at 80 mph…but really, lady, you have to go the speed limit? You’re holding up the rest of us. You know, it’s the ones going slow that cause the accidents.

Really? No coffee made again? I think I’ve made the last 5 pots of coffee and every time I come to get a cup, we’re out. Doesn’t anyone have some courtesy around here?

I hope you’ve noticed the sarcasm. What gets us bent sideways is usually whatever someone else is doing that irritates us. Someone going faster than we are? Evil. Someone going slower than us? Stupid. Someone didn’t fit into our box for “appropriate behavior?” Have you noticed that rarely do we see ourselves at fault…it’s always someone else. THEY did or didn’t do something I thought they should.

My Wednesday wisdom for you (and oh so much for me!) – take a chill pill. Take a breath – relax – try to see a bigger picture. God is in control. Try to see Him at work in your life’s circumstances. Long lines? Pray for the person in front of you or better yet, that poor cashier. Traffic crazy? Pray for safety for those on the road. Coffee not made? Be thankful you work in a place that provides free coffee. Rest in the knowledge that all of this is God’s plan to move you into who He wants you to be…stay mindful of His working in every detail of your life.

My own motto today:

KRIS, IT ISN’T ALL ABOUT YOU!

Be_Still

Resources to Grow Your Faith

Leave a reply

Sometimes I make the assumption that everyone has access to the same resources that I do. But that is not necessarily accurate. Yes – most people now have access to the internet and can google just about anything. But not everyone knows how to search online and not everyone has the time or inclination. And that World Wide Web is a super humongous place…easy to get lost and discouraged. So, today’s blog will highlight a few online devotional sites that continue to create wonderful content for us to enjoy.

Dayspring began as a greeting card company in California by four Christian men. They have grown into more than cards with inventory including gifts, home decor, books and Bibles. They also provide a daily devotional delivered right to your email every morning. Some are very short, such as this morning’s offering. Others a bit longer. All are excerpts from books published by Dayspring. If you’d like a quick devotion, easily read in a couple of minutes, this may be the right fit for you.

Walk_with_the_Wise

An offshoot of Dayspring is another wonderful resource: (in)courage. Female writers from across the country are regular contributors, designed to encourage and enrich your life with real life, relevant material. The devotions are a little longer (probably will take 5-10 minutes each) but you’ll want to shout “Amen!” when you’ve finished. The authors are engaging, humorous, vulnerable and wise. By the time you’ve read a few, you’ll feel as though you’ve made new friends. They’ve recently published a CSB (in)courage devotional Bible. If I needed another Bible, I would certainly have this one. Sign up here to receive these wonderful daily blogs/devotions.

I’ve just recently come across the writings of Rachel Wojo…Her last name is so long and with so many consonants that she’s shortened it on every thing she publishes…and she publishes A LOT!. I first saw (and use every day) her monthly Bible reading plans. Then I looked through her website and saw so much wonderful, Biblical material. She says she started the website to keep herself accountable to God’s Word and to “help others enjoy fresh faith on a daily basis.” She has so much free material including free Bible study videos. Her testimony is amazing and inspiring. I couldn’t even begin to describe her life’s journey. Please, if you do nothing else today, take a peek at Rachel’s website.

That’s enough to get you started. Happy reading! May the Word of God sink deep into your hearts as you lean into Him more and more every day. I pray these resources will help guide you toward the Source of all Truth…Jesus.

Monday, Monday…So Good to Me

Leave a reply

Ever have a song stuck in your head? Or just a few phrases of a song? This one is in my head every Monday morning. The song is from 1966, sung by The Mamas and the Papas, and is so catchy that you can’t help but sing along…for a while. It’s a sad song, if you really pay attention to the lyrics, but it’s just so addictive.

Just try not to sing as you read these lyrics:

Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday mornin´, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday mornin´, Monday mornin´ couldn’t guarantee
That Monday evenin´ you would still be here with me
Monday, Monday, can´t trust that day
Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way
Oh Monday mornin´ you gave me no warnin´ of what was to be
Oh Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me
Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
And-you can find me cryin´ all of the time

 

Did you find yourself crying this Monday morning? That Daylight Saving Time thing may have done a number on you. Maybe your weekend didn’t live up to your expectations. Maybe you’re facing a long week of hard work, or no work.

No matter what your Monday is looking like, there is hope. God loves you. He thinks you’re delightful. And you matter to Him.

Monday is just one day – don’t let it eat your lunch. Tell yourself the truth – you are fearfully and wonderfully made – you are created in the image of God – God is always your fortress, your refuge, your strong tower, who will never abandon you. Tell Monday to chill –  you and God have got this.

Gods_Got_It

P.S. Mondays aren’t nearly as difficult since I read my friend Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book “It’s All Under Control.” Some wonderful insights for control freaks, or if you think you have to be in control to be successful. You can purchase it at any of your favorite book places. One of my Top 10 books ever!

That Lost Hour

Leave a reply

Daylight Saving time is tough on several groups of people:

  • Children, specifically those between birth and 13…tired, hungry and grumpy at awkward times. This is true every day for teenagers so I’m not including them.
  • Moms and Dads, because of the children mentioned above.
  • Old people, for much the same reasons as children. This age group has come to depend on a routine and losing/gaining an hour throws that out the window. The term “grumpy old man” refers to a guy the Monday after Daylight Saving Time.
  • Church attendees, and more specifically church workers, those who have to be at church at least an hour earlier than everyone else. DST always occurs in the early morning hours of Sunday which results in at least one person walking into service an hour late. And the kids’ church workers stumbling around trying to corral those children I mentioned in the first bullet point.

So my couch is calling. I’m in at least two of the above categories. Had a wonderful morning at church, worshiping, celebrating, praying, listening, eating, laughing but now I’m “verbed” out. I think the only ones left for me are napping and snuggling.

Happy Daylight Saving Day! May your naps be long and your children be merry.

Staying Connected

Leave a reply

Is it possible to be exhausted and energized at the same time?

I had a busy, but so satisfying Saturday. My morning was spent with ten friends. We ate brunch, laughed, chatted, drank coffee (I was good – drank my herbal tea), encouraged one another and made cards to give to someone who may need a little spark of joy.

I also caught up with a long time friend I hadn’t seen for quite some time. Of course I’ve seen her Facebook posts but I mean really seeing, really connecting. Face to face. I’m sorry but no technology, no emoji, can replace a flesh and blood hug. It felt so good to listen to her stories about her son, her family. It made my heart glad.

This afternoon I met up with another wonderful friend. That hug was so great. She’s recently come through a tremendous health battle and is making a slow but steady recovery. I loved listening to her stories – some humorous (because she always finds something to laugh about), some humbling, most uplifting – of God’s faithfulness, His steady presence beside her – her honest confession that this journey is difficult. My tea got cold as we took turns connecting over our life stories.

Late this afternoon Don and I visited one of “my girls” recovering from pneumonia in the hospital. She was sleeping (thankfully for her) so we caught up on her health adventure of the last few days with her parents. Our own experience with our son’s pneumonia at much the same age gave us some insight into what they were going through. Scared but trying to be strong and calm for their daughter. Trusting doctors but still praying desperately for lungs to open and sleep to come. So glad we could connect and pray in that hospital hallway. And just heard they were able to go home tonight.

Connections. It takes your time, your effort, your willingness to set aside the routine to meet with someone face to face. There is no substitute. So I’m exhausted but energized by the human connections I made today. I can still feel the love conveyed through those hugs. ❤️❤️

Summer Hours

Leave a reply

Our company offers a wonderful perk we like to call “summer hours.” Yes, I know it isn’t summer. It isn’t even spring. But the origins of the practice started a long time ago when, beginning the week of Memorial Day, the company leadership allowed employees to come into the office at 7:30 each morning, Monday through Friday, and with no lunch break on Friday, everyone could leave at 1. The program only ran until the week prior to Labor Day – thus the name “summer hours.”

A few years ago the company decided to extend the dates from Daylight Saving Time start to end (about March to early November). Employees are ecstatic with the early out and the leadership is happy (because we’re working the same amount of hours). Win-win.

Our company president gave us an early start to our “summer hours” this week…maybe because it’s been an awful winter, maybe because spring seems so far down the road…maybe because he’s just a nice guy (he is!). So we’ve been arriving at the office at 7:30 each morning…and Wednesday started my no coffee thing. Yes – I’m dragging. Seriously dragging today. But it’s an early out Friday so I can make it.

Spring_forwardI hope you have something you’re really looking forward to as much as we’re all looking forward to 1 p.m. Happy Friday!

P.S. – Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend – otherwise you’ll be seriously late for church. And that’s embarrassing.

 

A Short Story

Leave a reply

A friend of mine stopped by the other day. He was disgusted and distressed because he could not find his phone. As he is very phone-reliant (aren’t we all?), he was worried and anxious about the coming ordeal. You know – not finding it, having to purchase another one, having vital information irretrievable for a length of time, etc. On top of that, his computer was not working.

Side note: In the day we live, tech problems must cause the most stress of any single category of stress-inducers. We put a lot of trust in those little devices, allowing them to rule our lives and then when they disappoint us somehow, we are destroyed. Maybe our trust is misplaced? Maybe we should always rely on something or Someone who will never crash or send you an error message. Ah…Now, back to my story…

After I did what I always do (try to fix his problem myself) – “Where did you have it last?” “Who saw it last?” blah blah…I realized he’d already done all that. He’d already walked backwards in his timeline to figure out where that pesky phone could be.

“I’ve looked all over in my car. It’s just not there. And now, it’s dead so I can’t even use ‘Find My Phone,” he told me. We commiserated together until I finally listened to that still, small voice in my spirit that said, “Tell him you’ll pray he finds it.”

“Really, God? That’s pretty specific. What if I say that and he never finds it? How would that look?” – the argument with God went swiftly through my head. But I obeyed (YAY!) and said, “You know, I’ll be praying you find your phone.”

He promptly looked up and said, “God, will You find my phone for me?” (that kind of shocked me). But then God spoke right through me (I know this because it was way wiser than anything I would have said on my own) – “He already knows where it is. You just need to ask Him to tell you.”

We laughed a little and he left. And I prayed. I really did. “Lord, show him exactly where to look, even if he’s looked there before. Reveal the location to him and let him see You in action in his life. Answer his prayer to increase his faith in You.”

That was it – that was my 3-second prayer.

About 20 minutes later I got a call – from my friend’s cell phone! Obviously, he found it…in his car…after looking there multiple times. And he gave all the credit to God. “God found my phone for me. He answered your prayer.”

I’m sure I smiled for the rest of the morning. God is so good. He cares about every detail of your life. He wants to show up in big and small ways for you. Trust Him with every care, every worry, every tech issue…He is faithful.

Psalm4_1

 

The Start of Something New

Leave a reply

I may have taken on more than I should. Lent is traditionally a time to let go of some things so you have more time to spend meditating or thinking about the final days leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Normally I pick something  hard to let go of…and that is certainly the case this year. I have decided to fast caffeine until Easter. That’s 46 days if you’re counting. I am. And I just took a pill for the headache that has already started.

No_Caffeine

But not only have I decided to give up caffeine, I have taken on a few other disciplines. I’m participating in a 40-day Bible study with other women from our church on the Final Days of Jesus. It’s basically a daily endeavor incorporating prayer, praise, Scripture study, reflection and sabbath. I’ve also decided to send out a encouraging card to someone every day…40 cards. And, of course, I said I’d blog every day. My normal routine continues so the plates are spinning but I’m not looking for a medal for “Greatest Christian Woman Ever.” I just want to explore some new ways of experiencing Lent – both with new people and with renewed focus on Jesus.

While many decorate their homes with bunnies and eggs, most Christians contemplate Easter’s true message – the love our Savior Jesus had for each of us…so much love He sacrificed Himself to save us from the wages of our sin. Good Friday is the day of Christ’s death but Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of the Son of God!

And this is the last you’ll hear of my caffeine fast.

“Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Joel 2:12