Archives for October 2024

A Special Touch: The Kiss of God

October 15, 2024 by 2 Comments

Special touches from God—those moments that fill and warm the heart. Those moments when we feel his presence so vividly. Our spirits long for such moments, don’t they?

I think God may give more special touches than we recognize. We may know we’ve been touched by joy or peace or contentment. But sometimes we fail to recognize the Giver of these good gifts.

Let’s not miss him. Let’s not miss the kiss of God.

The Kiss of God

Sometimes it catches us
completely unaware,
other times it answers
our longing.
The kiss of God
a balm so sweet,
the touch that washes us
in his love.
The warmth of spring sunshine
on our skin,
the liquid life-giving drink
to a dry desperate earth,
the word that refreshes
a parched soul.
Forgiveness given
and arms extended,
a moment of comfort divine,
needed words received
at just the right moment,
it’s more than coincidence—
it’s the Lord.
A touch from him
to savor forever,
the moment we’re changed—
the kiss of God.

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights . . .” James 1:17 NIV

*When have you felt the kiss of God?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regular issue, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber (new or current) will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

Photo by Anton Darius on Unsplash

Filed Under: blessing, comfort, encouragement, faith, fellowship, Gift, giving, joy, love, peace, poem, refresh, touch, treasure Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Ultimate Guide to Looking Your Best on Wedding Day

October 15, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, would you like to point your bride-to-be-daughter (and yourself) to a fantastic and comprehensive beauty guide for her wedding day? You’ll be surprised at how much you both can do to prepare to look your best on the big day, starting even six to ten months ahead of time if you so choose.

Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals covers a range of tips and approaches to help brides achieve the appearance they want and feel good about it. It undoubtedly includes some helpful info and tips that will be new to both your daughter and you, MOB.

Some topics included in this guide:
– Setting goals for the wedding day
– At-home skincare essentials
– Personal skincare treatments and Botox
– Recommended schedule for skincare treatment
– More resources for brides who want to look their best

Read all about it and then share this link with your sweet girl, Mother of the Bride – Théia Aesthetics’ article on essential bridal beauty rituals. She (or you for yourself!) may want to choose a few things to try or perhaps follow the entire guide. May both of you thrill in looking your best on the big day!

*You may also like to read Mother of the Bride Beauty Prep: Face Yoga Exercises!, Hairstyles For the Mother of the Bride or Groom, and Mother of the Bride: Spruce Up Your Smile!

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*Photo from Unsplash 

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, advice, appearance, beauty, body, bride, help, inventory, Mother of the Bride, new thing, preparation, shine, variety, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Power of An Encouraging Word

October 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment

We all go through them. Periods of discouragement. A day, a week , a month when we feel like we’re not making any headway. We wonder if what we’re doing is making a difference. We may even contemplate giving up.

Different things cause discouragement for different people. For writers, discouragement tries to move in for various reasons. Maybe it happens when a rejection letter comes or when our newsletter readership doesn’t grow or—oh, the horror—declines. It can also happen when book sales disappoint or when we’ve put our words out there but then don’t hear any feedback from readers. The list goes on.

One of these things alone may not send us spiraling downward, but let the blows come one on top of another, and you may find us in a corner clutching our blankies.

You know what can change our whole outlook, though—writers as well as everyone else? A simple word of encouragement or appreciation. Such a gesture boosts our spirits and provides the renewed energy we need to keep pressing on. Such a gesture makes all the difference. There is power in an encouraging word.

Who can you encourage today?

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

*How has someone encouraged you recently? 

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. One lucky subscriber will receive a $15 gift card to Starbucks and a signed copy of my book to use personally, give as a gift, or donate to a library. Sign-up is free! *Temporary problem with Life Notes sign-up. To sign up, just contact me.

*For info about my book Mother of the Bride check out my Books/My Work page.

*My photo

Filed Under: Above and Beyond, blessing, cheer, disappointment, encouragement, Gift, joy, life, refresh, thanks, writing Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A Gem of a Wedding Photo: Hideaway Moment

October 1, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Mother of the Bride, are you on the lookout for wedding photo ideas you can share with the bride and groom? If not, it’s not too late. Today is a great day to get started because I’ve got a gem of an idea to share with you.

The hideaway shot above captures a stolen intimate moment between the newlyweds. Not only will it become a photo they will treasure their entire lives—and I love it in black and white—it will provide them with a precious private moment on the wedding day itself.

Ask the photographer to be on the lookout for a spot similar to the scene above—a place where the groom can pull the bride off to the side for a moment and whisper sweet nothings in her ear or steal a kiss while guests mingle unaware in the background. The stars of the show will be so happy to sneak in some private time like this that they will quickly forget the photographer’s presence and truly delight in the moment. (The photographer might want to clue the groom in after he finds the perfect spot!)

So MOB, give your love birds an early gift and suggest the Hideaway Moment shot for them to request from their photographer before wedding day. They will love the idea—and they’ll love you for suggesting it. Another win-win for the Mother of the Bride!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day Tip: A List for the Photographer, Wedding Photo Idea: Black and White Bubble Shot, Wedding Photo Idea: Groom Admires His Bride, and Wedding Photo Idea: The Corner Shot.

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, comes out in early November. Sign up is free and to the right!

*Flickr photo by Tela Chhe, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: advice, bride, groom, joy, keepsake, love, memories, Mother of the Bride, opportunity, photo fun, preparation, treasure, wedding Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,