​It was August of 2022, and I took a hiking trip with my friend Bev.
We’ve been friends since we were in fourth grade. We both lived around the corner from each other in New York. In March of 1976, we were in eighth grade, and my dad announced we were moving to Florida. It was a sad time for me.
We have been best friends since, regardless of the miles in between.
As we approached our fortieth birthday, we decided to plan a hiking trip to Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. After this trip, we decided to plan hiking trips for our decade birthdays. When we turned fifty, we went to Zion National Park. When we turned sixty, we went to Glacier National Park. While we were there, Bev shared some unsettling news with me that her mom had a nodule on her lung. I was shocked. My heart was heavy with grief as we processed together. During one of our dinners, she expressed her need to explore the whole concept of death. Alarms and whistles went off inside me, and I remember thinking, “I need to think about this and provide the answer.”.
There was a nagging feeling inside me because I felt I needed to provide an answer for her. I used my blog to write about what I would share with her. I began to write. During one of my writing sessions, something was happening inside me. I STOPPED WRITING. I paused for a long time.
I realized I had been carrying this burden as if it was mine.
As I paused, I realized I didn’t need to do anything.
I don’t recall her saying, “Sue, what are your thoughts about death?” Why did I feel this need to take this on as my quest? After pausing for several minutes, my focus began to shift. I thought about what was going on with her.
How was she dealing with this news? Was she panic-stricken or anxious? Was she angry? How did this news affect her? What did she want to know about death? Was she trying to wrap her head around the thought of losing her mom, who she is very close with? She might have been thinking about her well-being after her mom passes away someday. It could be she was trying to imagine life without her mom. What did she want to figure out? Did she want to know what happens to a person after they die? Was she wondering about her death? In those pausing moments, I realized I hadn’t taken the time to explore this with her. I was too consumed with my response. What if I had taken the time to ask those questions and listen? It might have led me to a place of understanding and the greatest treasure of all, her heart. I can’t go to Glacier National Park today, but we can start a new conversation next time we talk.
I can approach it differently and be curious. I can ask all those questions I didn’t ask last summer. I can discover how this is affecting her.
I can discover new things about her by giving her time and space.
All I need to do is LISTEN!

​We are all in the same boat. 
When we believe in Jesus, grace doesn't kick us out of His boat. 
Jesus invites us all in, and we sit at His table.
Grace locks arms and says, "Let's do this. Let's go to the cross together and experience freedom, peace, love, and power."
Jesus' presence burns like fire and is power.
It's where anxiety, fear, depression, addictions, and strongholds, and CHAINS FALL OFF.
Let's go, let's do it together.

Coronavirus, stock market volatility, rising unemployment, recession, high school shootings, politics, family conflict, racial injustice, domestic abuse. Do these cause you anxiety, fear, anger, or outrage?
My heart is at peace, and something happens that causes a reaction.
I am triggered. I have no control over it.
Could this reaction be a call from God to come, an invitation?
He wants peace to reign in my heart.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. John 14:1
Why is there unrest? He wants to provide wisdom, comfort, peace, and reassurance. He wants to soothe me.
Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10
At times, I can get stuck. There are negative ways I use to cope and deal with this disturbance. I isolate, get angry, get anxious.
Something stole the peace, contentment, and joy I had.
I feel unbalanced.
What was it?
God wants me to surrender so He can provide what I need. What do I need? He knows.
When I remember this, He will provide what I need. He calls me to come.
I am not supposed to fix it or do something about it.
Surrender is stopping, changing direction, and running back to Jesus.
He is waiting.
When I allow Him to work things out, I recognize something is not right inside me. I have to stop and get curious. When I want to figure it out myself, I end up striving. God wants me to stop and be honest with Him. He reveals He is in control and has it covered.
He has something to teach me, and it's better.
The very thing that once caused unrest in my heart is what He uses to mold and shape me.
A gift.
I surrender under His authority so I can have His joy and peace!
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of God dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:15
I can get snagged on failure and perfection. I learned the only thing I can fail at is not putting my faith and hope in Jesus because He is in charge. Failing is associated with judgment and condemnation. My relationship with Jesus is not a pass-fail relationship.
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
He wants to grow His love and grace in me, which is the opposite of condemnation. He loves me always. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. If I choose to fret, be angry, or strive, I miss the intimacy and blessings He has for me.
He will not compete with other gods. He hates the things that steal our peace. He wants my heart to follow Him ALWAYS. ​

Recently, I wrote a blog post on Disappointment.
I mentioned that I am learning to call a spade a spade and learning to acknowledge it.
It did not work out as I had hoped, but I have options.
I am learning to stop in the middle of the mess, and say, “SURRENDER”.
​I am learning to stop and pray, “What are my options?”.
I am learning when I get snagged. I must be aware so I don't hand my power to a person and blame them.
I am learning to take responsibility and own what stole my peace, joy, and happiness.
I am learning to communicate my needs and wants.
I am learning to prepare myself because I may not receive what I need or want. People owe me nothing.
I could communicate it without holding them responsible.
I could accept that life happens. Let it go and move on.
I could become more aware of this feeling.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. (Colossians 3:15)
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1)
Each moment is a gift.
I can pause, check in with my heart, and consider my options.
God always has something better. 

​I picked up my two grandchildren from school. I was driving them to have a special snack with me. The oldest is eleven years old, and the youngest is seven years old. We were in the car for only a few minutes when the youngest said, “A boy called me stupid”. Alarms were going off in my head. I needed to slow down my thoughts and get control of myself. I wanted my words to be wise, kind, and loving. I said, “That’s not true, because you are so smart.” We asked her, "What is his name", but she was unwilling to share it with us. I asked her if she shared this with her teacher. She had a sub that day, so she did not. The incident happened in the hallway. They were supposed to be quiet. The boy whispered it in her ear. My greatest fear was that she would believe the lie. She is smart, and I did not want the lie to stick with her for the rest of her life.
I wanted her to see a different perspective. I said, “Well, you never know what’s going on at home with his parents, older siblings, or in his neighborhood. There might be people telling him he is stupid.
You represent someone safe that he can share his unkind thoughts with”. The older sister said, “Yes, having empathy”. I know there is zero tolerance at school for bullying. I encouraged her to share this with her teacher. Her older sister said, “it is not tattle tailing if you share with a teacher something someone has done or said that is hurtful, unkind or physically harmful. It is called reporting.”
I was very impressed with the school and the training the children were receiving.
The younger sister sat listening.
I wanted her to understand that people say hurtful things. It has nothing to do with her. I encouraged her to share this with her teacher. I circled back to her after Spring Break. I asked her if she ever shared the incident with her teacher. She said, “No, we worked it out”.
I said, “Really, how so?”
She said, “I asked my teacher if he and I could meet at the cubbies”.
(I found out later the cubbies are in the hallway where the students put their belongings)
The teacher said, “Yes”.
She and this boy went out into the hallway. She said, “Please do not call me names.”
He said, “Ok, I won’t do that in the future”.
I asked her if she ever told her teacher.
She said, “No”.
The older sister said, “You are to try and work it out first with the person, and if it keeps happening, tell a teacher, parent, or trusted adult."
I am so proud of the younger sister for being courageous and mature.
What a great example. Be honest by sharing the hurt with the person who said the unkind words. We can respect each other and their feelings and speak kind words.
Are there any lies you have believed about yourself?
Could you use my granddaughter's example and share the hurtful words with the person who hurt you?

​I shared a room with my younger sister for most of my childhood.
When older siblings moved out, rooms became available.
My younger sister and I were not alike, the odd couple. I wanted the room neat and the bed made, and she kept the room opposite. I'd boss her around.
Here is how that has played out in my life. I provide unwanted, unsolicited advice. I was made aware of this tendency, and the phrase, "I need to stay on my side of the street" became a great reminder.
The Lord makes me aware of my thoughts. When my thoughts become obsessive about people and their problems, this is the cue,
"I need to stay on my side of the street" and start praying.
God is God, and I am not. When my thoughts start down a path like a runaway freight train, He needs to get control of my thoughts and lead me. He will show me how He wants me to pray.
If I'm invited to cross the street, I must consider it a privilege.
I can pray and ask God for wisdom. I can pray with the person.
Keep in step with the Spirit.
I can listen, pray, and allow others the space to hear from God.
I’m not their Holy Spirit because there is only ONE of those- thankfully!