"I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well."

--Diane Ackerman, Poet

When I reflect on my life, I do not merely see the length of my life circumstances; tragic, joyful, and everything in between. I see the width of God's love creating horizons that reflect a greater good. Not just for me, but for those who are still trying to function throughout the length of a single day. Absolutely nothing I've been through has been in vain.

I encourage you to ask God to reveal His glory in your circumstances. Today, 3-D movies are the big craze. But the technology of man cannot hold a candle to God's multi-dimensional love for you.

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith;

 that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:14-19).

(from my archives)

"The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief."

-William Shakespeare, Othello

It's true. In the Old Testament, when victims of cruelty gained victory over their enemies, they entered into their enemy's territory and walked out with everything valuable. It's referred to as "plunder."

We have a very real enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. (John 10:10) But when we place one hand in God's, trust Him with our pain, and continue to put one foot in front of the other even though we feel like dieing . . . victory comes. And with that victory  comes a day when we "plunder" the enemy land of a painful past. I promise. But more importantly, God promises.  

"To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:3 NKJV).

"Instead of your shame you shall have double honor, and instead of confusion they shall rejoice in their portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs." (verse 7)

Keep going. Don't give up. The enemy will "rue the day" he tried to kill, steal, and destroy you!

"Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you."

--Dr. Seuss

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 134:14 )

"The difference between reality and fiction? Fiction has to make sense."

--Tom Clancy
Interview on Larry King (as referenced on wikiquote.com)

I walked a mile with Pleasure;
She chatted all the way;
But left me none the wiser
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with Sorrow;
And ne'er a word said she;
But, oh! The things I learned from her,
When Sorrow walked with me.

ROBERT BROWNING HAMILTON

"You can't be brave if you've only had wonderful things happen to you."

--Mary Tyler Moore

Your greatest weapon for the kingdom of God is your deepest wound-- fully submitted to Christ, who heals the broken-hearted and vindicates those who rely on Him.

I remember well, the days and nights I spent alone in my house as a single mother. My older sons visited their father every other weekend, which left me alone with a baby I'd had with a man who was too drug addicted to build a life with. There was nothing to do but listen to the clock on the wall tick. I hated that clock. I hated my life. With every tick it bantered: You have no life, you have no life.  

I realize now, that God saw the outcome. He orchestrated it. My husband is now clean and sober, we're a happy family. But that's not all God saw. He knew that one day I'd minister to women who'd fallen into despair over similar circumstances. He knew all along that my circumstances made me brave. I was in training for hope to be displayed through my life.

No matter where you are today. Don't despair. Call out to the God who creates good--out of everything that was intended for your harm. You are stronger than you know. Your life has purpose.

--St. Francis of Assisi

Today's update is short and sweet. It's actually Sunday night. I'm writing now because tomorrow I have an early doctor's appointment and then it's back to the dentist . . . I'm having terrible nerve pain. My husband is on his way home from the emergency room with our youngest son. Zach fractured his thumb in two places (being a boy with two other boys)--something that involves being somewhere you're not supposed to be, a fort, and the throwing of bricks.

Just one of those days. Life keeps happening. It's a blessed life, though. There's no question about that. Today is Palm Sunday. I imagine Jesus arriving in town, gentle, and riding on a donkey. "Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord."

The thought of that drives away the shadows of today. He is my Light.

Sorry about the late post today! This page is for "girls on the go"--written by a "girl on the go!" (I'm on a mission from God--but still have the day job.)

I want you to know that I pray before I write. Today, I sensed God saying No means no. "No" is a powerful word. "No" is a great word. I immediately thought of a woman who once said, "Wendy, there's nothing spiritual about saying yes when you really mean no. (God, I love that woman.)

The same woman suggested that when asked to make a commitment on the spot, pause and say, "Let me take twenty-four hours to pray about that and I'll get back to you." (Genius.)

If you're exhausted and you've just been asked to volunteer your time and energy and you don't have it to give, just say, "I'm sorry, as much as I want to help, I just don't have the energy coupons. I have to reserve enough energy for my family" (Perfect.) I've never offended anyone with that answer. Women understand.

How about you? Does your "no" mean "no" or are you exhausted from saying "yes" when you really mean "no"?

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."

--Winnie the Pooh to Christopher Robin

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

"If you're going through hell, keep going."

--Winston Churchill