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.

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.

God’s love celebrates with us. His love also gives us refuge when life happens, when life gets smaller, when uncertainty abounds and grief intrudes.

Have you ever felt like a bit player in God’s story? That person with a minor, unimportant, unimpressive role? And not just minor, unimportant, and unimpressive, but someone whose scenes should be cut entirely and left on the editing room’s floor?

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.

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!

When we “walk the WOLK,” when we walk God’s words of loving kindness, we have the opportunity to step into the moment in a very special way.

Life is not perfect, but I continue to insist that it can be, that I can make it so, that I can be. And when I do that, I discount the many blessing that surround me.

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…

Today we continue with the theme: Be bold. Be brave. Be you. Today we’ll talk about being bold and brave for us, all of us.

Today our theme is being bold, being brave, and being you and today we’ll talk about being bold and brave for those around us.

As a woman of faith, do you think about being bold and brave in being you? Do you ever use the words “bold” and “brave” to describe yourself? I’m going to be so bold and so brave as to say the answer needs to be a resounding YES

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!

Feeling challenged by 2020? God continues to shine His light on us, so we can shine His light on others–even on those days when we’re “over it.”