Archives for November 2013

Balm to a Broken Heart

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It’s no secret to most of you that I’ve been dealing with a broken heart the past few weeks. For those who don’t know, I lost my mom unexpectedly a few weeks ago as a result of injuries she sustained in a car accident.

My heart—and the hearts of our entire family—also sustained injury. They’ve been pierced and torn in two by the grief of losing Mom. My poem “Fragile” gave a glimpse into what that grief has looked like in my life and how God is helping me through it.

Today I’d like to tell you how God has applied balm to my broken heart and show you what it has looked like. It has looked like you. It has looked like every person who has reached out to me and my family in love.

Yes, God has ministered to me through his Word and through music, but the main avenue of healing balm has come through caring people—through words and gestures of concern and love.

Every word, every touch has been balm to my broken heart. Some of you came to be with us, to stand with us, to listen to us, to cry with us. Others sent cards or plants or flowers. Some gave practical gifts like food, stamps, and cash. And countless others showed their support and promises of prayer through comments and “likes” on Facebook or here on my blog. Each gesture has given comfort.

Thank you, friends, for showing your love and support. If you’ve ever wondered if a few words or a card or a comment on Facebook can help someone who is grieving, let me assure you they can. Each one makes a difference.

So join me, won’t you? Let’s be balm to the broken hearts around us. Let’s make a difference.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3

*When has God used others to apply balm to your hurting heart?

*Flickr photo by Nina Matthews Photography, Creative Commons License

*It’s not too late to receive the new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter. It’s a special Advent issue this time. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Wedding Card Box Idea: A Hatbox!

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Looking for another wedding card box idea, Mother of the Bride? If your daughter would rather step outside a wedding theme (like the wedding cake card box), why not suggest a pretty hatbox for collecting the cards?

When my daughter Kristin got married, I asked her groom’s mother if she would like to be in charge of providing the card box. My sister Debbie had provided one for her son’s wedding so I thought it would be a nice way to include Shawn’s mom—plus relieve us of one more task at the same time. Smart, huh? :)

Even though Linda admitted to not be very arts and craftsy (I’m not either), she happily agreed to take on the task. Like I often did during my wedding planning days, she recruited the help of a friend, and they came up with the hatbox card box pictured above. So clever and pretty!

To make the hatbox idea work for a wedding, just incorporate the wedding colors on the box as well as some gorgeous flowers and pretty ribbon. Add a corded handle and personalize with the bride and groom’s name, and you’re set. Won’t  it make an attractive and unique addition to the gift table?

Hope the hatbox idea works for you and your daughter, MOB—and if you’re lucky, the groom’s mom will work for you, too! :)

*What unique card box ideas have you seen at other weddings?

*Check out the announcement of the winner of the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway!

 *My photo

Midweek Morsel: A Winner Plus Some Gratitude

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The deadline has come and gone. Time to announce the winner of the Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway. One lucky subscriber of Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, is now the happy recipient of a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble.

So who’s the winner? It’s Ruth (Bar…)! (I won’t give full name but enough to distinguish from the other Ruths who are subscribers.) Congrats, Ruth! I’ll get the gift card in the mail to you within the next couple of days.

I do so appreciate all of you who have subscribed to Life Notes. I’m grateful not only for your support but also for the opportunity to offer inspiration and encouragement that may make a difference in your lives. Thank you for subscribing!

May this quote by G.K. Chesterton be true in each of our lives:  Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude; everything passed on with grace.”

 “Let the word of Christ 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 3:16

 *What would you like to express gratitude for today that you normally take for granted?

*Flickr photo by Neal.

Sometimes We’re Fragile

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Fragile

A wave larger than me
hits from out of nowhere,
crashing over me
engulfing me
but I’m not at the beach.
The only wetness I feel
is that of my tears
flowing as from a faucet
triggered by the tiniest
memory or thought,
brought on by the barest hint
by just a glance of the familiar.
With quick hand to my face
I try to catch the sob,
try to soften its effect
to hide my vulnerability
to protect others from the wave,
from the grief that’s now my portion.
The unexpected loss overwhelms,
I’ve never felt so fragile
not knowing when the wave
will wash over me again.
I’d be in despair
crushed without hope
if not for the Lord
if not for his love and peace.
But he’s with me
giving strength for each step
lifting my face to his light
holding my fragile heart
in his hand
supporting my frame
with the love and comfort
of family and friends.
Life is fragile
and sometimes so are we,
but that’s okay—
that’s when love swoops in
and carries us,
that’s when the Lord
tenderly wipes our tears.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

*How has the Lord upheld you when you’ve felt fragile?

*Flickr photo by jenny downing, Creative Commons License

Unlikely Wedding Supply: Bungee Cords!

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Bungee cords for a wedding? You bet! As you and your daughter plan her décor and gather the supplies, add some unlikely bungee cords to your list. Take my word for it, they may prove to be the solution to a decorating dilemma.

Bungee cords are perfect for securing tulle—or any other fabric—to columns, posts, or poles in desperate need of decoration. At my daughter Kelli’s wedding party venue, we had to contend with three support columns spaced across reception hall. The only way to make it work was to dress them up and make them part of the décor.

We knew that tulle could do the trick, and the venue’s event coordinator passed along the bungee cord tip. They could accommodate both a streamlined or a looser look. Lucky for us, my husband just happened to have bungee cords on hand amongst his Grand Canyon biology field trip supplies. I guess that’s one time it paid to have a biology teacher filling the role of Father of the Bride, huh? :)

Be prepared for anything, Mother of the Bride—add bungee cords to your list!

Flickr photo by srqpix

*What other unlikely decorating supplies should MOBs add to their lists?