Motivational Minutes

Deanna’s Motivational Minutes

Wonder’s Question Marks and Exclamation Points

Wonder’s Question Marks and Exclamation Points

Meeting for coffee, Michol shared the word “wonder” with me. Thinking about wonder, I immediately thought about awe, the awesomeness of God, exclamation points in our walk with God. Michol thought about wonder as discerning question marks. “I wonder if…” Questions marks and exclamation points in our life–for us both, for us all.

Living Out God’s Glory

Living Out God’s Glory

The past couple weeks I’ve been reading Kathy Collard Miller’s “Pure Hearted: The Blessings of Living Out God’s Glory.” In several chapters Kathy talks about the impact of childhood experiences on our relationship with God, their connections to fears, selfishness, even immaturity. I blew right by sub-headings on Perfectionism and Performance, Instability and Worry. And then there was a section titled, Childhood Experiences Label God. Do they? Did they? Will they?

What do God’s possibilities (our opportunities) look like?

What do God’s possibilities (our opportunities) look like?

When I start to see God at work, when I’m feeling that something’s up, my first reaction is often, “God, I’m kinda busy right now. Not a good time. Really, God, not a good time.” But that’s not how God operates. His work is not about our will, our way, our when. It’s about His will, His way, His when–and His glory.

The Gift of Encouragement

The Gift of Encouragement

Where have you been given the gift of encouragement? In a letter to the Hebrews in the Bible’s New Testament, the apostle Paul asks that we encourage each other to love and do good works. My mother-in-law recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Her life has been and continues to be one of love and kindness and service. She has been a gift of encouragement to all of us.

What He Said

What He Said

Last weekend my husband, Kurt, and I celebrated 40 years of marriage. Knowing I wanted to talk about us this week and knowing I wanted to share his thoughts, I asked him, “Kurt, when you think about our time together, what stands out?” Kurt, ever the wise one between the two us, had three things to share, beginning with the examples of our parents.

When We Stumble

When We Stumble

I’ve had a life of stumbles—as a child, as a young adult, just last week. But our walk with God is not about what we do. It’s about what God’s does in, through, and around all of us. He directs and redirects. He gives us a gentle nudge, words of caution and correction. In the moment I rarely saw it. Looking back, I can’t miss it.

What’s Most Important?

What’s Most Important?

Too often I’m focused on the wrong stuff. Too often I miss what’s most important. It’s easy to get distracted. We are surrounded by powerful messages—gotta do this, gotta have that, gotta wear this, gotta achieve that.
Words of loving kindness don’t connect to a new blouse, cutie pie shoes, or gray pin-striped suits. They connect us to the moments we get to share with each other on Friday mornings, during Wednesday playdates, when a son shares childhood treasures with his own son.

Who are you?

Who are you?

Last week I talked about my son’s friend, a young man who’s a felon. When I finished filming, I immediately had a moment. Should I have said he was an ex-felon? I googled the question: “Felon or ex-felon?” and learned that a felon is someone convicted of a felony, whether still in prison or not. Going to some discussion boards, it appears a person can be a former criminal, an ex-con, but always a felon. Wow, I thought. Someone can serve their time, make restitution, change the course of their life, but society will always consider them a felon. It made me wonder about how we think about ourselves and those around us, the labels we give ourselves and others.

Being Compelling Examples of Christian Life

Being Compelling Examples of Christian Life

I’m not always not at my finest. During COVID, we’ve all tried to navigate our new normal, respecting the restrictions put into place for our safety and the safety of others, but one Monday I was over it. When I was denied access to my mother-in-law’s assisted living facility, I had a regrettable moment. I was not at my finest. Contrary to the classic, albeit cringe-worthy, line from Love Story, this time love meant having to say I’m sorry.

A Cautionary Tale about the Timing of Our Words

A Cautionary Tale about the Timing of Our Words

I’ve learned that timing’s very, very important—whether I’m at the dentist or scrolling my newsfeed. Social media has given us wonderful opportunities to connect as God’s people. Social media can also highlight differences, promote divisions. This episode of “Morning WOLK with God” is a cautionary tale about our words and the timing of our words. Yes, there is a time for everything.

Letting God Be God

Letting God Be God

Are you able to let God be God? Too often I refuse to let God be God. Too often I discount God’s will, His way, and His when, thinking I know best. Stuck in traffic last week, I told myself that I was just using God’s openings–those gaps between cars–to make up time, to speed ahead–but it wasn’t true. I thought I knew best.

Again–those delightful driving antics that connect to bigger, more important lessons in life!

Life’s Non-Negotiables

Life’s Non-Negotiables

Do you have any non-negotiables in your day? I’ve tried to be careful about have-to’s. For me, they can quickly lead to the planning of a pity party. But this year, I’ve got three non-negotiables that have been bright moments in my day, times to celebrate the possibilities, moments of inspiration, reflection, and gratitude. They’ve been opportunities to get closer to God. Perhaps you have non-negotiables, too…

Morning WOLK with God: Shining His Light

Morning WOLK with God: Shining His Light

This is often that special time of year when we ring in the new year and put away the Christmas decorations. But even after the lights come down, God’s light continues on—not in the light of things, but in His light in us. God’s Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope are a part of each one of us. And that means we show up differently—whether we’re on a virtual call or in an emergency room. Yes, even in an emergency room!

Morning WOLK with God: The Ins and Outs of God’s Loving Kindness

Morning WOLK with God: The Ins and Outs of God’s Loving Kindness

Here’s a link to yesterday’s “Morning WOLK with God” where I talk about the Ins and Outs of God’s Loving Faithfulness. The video is inside Fave Lifestyles Women’s Group. You may need to join the group to view.
At Fave we get to do life together. Fave provides a community and tips for inspired living. I come along and share antics and vulnerabilities, praying they’ll connect to God’s much bigger, more important lessons in life. Praying!

Finding Joy in the Moment

Finding Joy in the Moment

Too often I’m not treasuring the moment. It’s easy to look past “now” to what’s next. The writing assignments that need to be completed, the calls that need to be returned, the plans that need to be made. At other times, I can find myself worrying about yesterday, words said, words left unsaid, steps taken, steps not taken. All are important, but sometimes we just need to be and to be in the moment.

About Deanna

Before my father died, he reminded me that Mom had asked me to write a book. At the time the boys were in college, and the notion of writing was unfathomable. Writers write books. By the time my boys were adults, I’d run out of excuses. I was also at that age when I could pause and reflect.

Fruit of My Spirit: Reframing Life in God’s Grace was my first publishing endeavor. My second was Signs in Life: Finding Direction in Our Travels with God. Both are collections of stories that tell of God’s love and faithfulness. Both tell of His remarkable grace and mercy.

Contact Deanna

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