When Life Looks Messy

One summer, my mum decided to teach my sisters and me how to embroider. She thought it was a useful skill we needed in our arsenal, and it was something to remove any boredom we supposedly thought we had.

So, embroidery classes started at home during the hot summer. My mom bought white pillowcases, thread, and a pattern. The pattern showed us what we were trying to achieve, the thread was the right weight and color for the pattern, and the pillowcases were a blank canvas.

She then explained how each stitch produced a certain pattern;  satin, knot, and chain stitch are some that I remember. But there were many more. The thing with each of these stitches is that they produced a beautiful pattern on the right side of the pillow, but the underside was not so appealing. The underside is where you could correct mistakes without starting over. It's

Handling Weapons

Life can be a lot. It’s messy, complicated, and honestly, exhausting sometimes. There are moments when it feels like everything is working against you: a boss who seems to have it out for you, a friend who talks behind your back, or even someone you trusted taking you to small claims court. Yeah, it gets real.

When I feel like I’m being dragged through the mud, there’s one verse that always comes to mind. It’s one of those go-to scriptures people quote when things get tough:

Surrender, Connection, and the Gift of Learning

It’s a peaceful Sunday morning. Raindrops are gently falling; not torrential, just enough to cool the air. I step outside my front door and take in the view: grass as green and lush as a carpet, shrubbery shaped like small balls, full of promise and growth. If peace had a form, I imagine it would look like this.

No swirling thoughts in my mind, just the quiet joy of basking in God’s creation. Surrounded. Surrendered. Humbled. Grateful.

Sleep When the Baby Sleeps - God's Gentle Reminder

Motherhood brings with it a flood of emotions — joy, wonder, exhaustion, and sometimes uncertainty. In the middle of it all, there are bits of timeless wisdom passed down through generations, whispering reminders of grace and care. One such piece of advice deeply shaped my early days as a mom.

This Easter......

I've heard it said that Easter Sunday is like the Super Bowl for Christians. It's the big event of the year; there's lots of excitement, kids learn about the Easter bunny (whatever that is), and you might actually make it to church for an Easter service. However, I find this analogy lacking because Easter and all it represents are so much bigger than a one-day, overhyped event.

This Easter, my heart hurts for all the human rights abuses that are happening right under our noses. This Easter, I'm saddened by what seems to be the inhumanity olympics in our country. This Easter, I think about the impact our choices have on us.

This Easter, I'm also thinking of close relationships and wishing some were different than what they are.

This Easter, I'm melancholy.

Unbelievable

Image source 

I've been settling into my new home state. 

When I moved to CA over 15 years ago, knowing no one but one person, I did what was recommended - seek out groups with similar interests online and join meetups. It was uncomfortable, but I did it, hoping it would eventually pay off. I can't say that it did, but I gave it my all.

Forging Ahead

It's been a while since I've shared anything in this space, and recently, within the past weeks, I have been convicted to write more. It's not just a simple conviction; writing is where I learn to submit, surrender, and share. 

I'm not alone when I say the external factors that comprise our lives have seemed chaotic on a daily basis for the past months. There's political upheaval, which shows up in new policies daily, mass firings, natural disasters, plane crashes, need I go on? And yet, in the midst of this, we must live.

Anchored in Peace, Resolved in Love

January 2025 felt like an entire year! Whew!

Here's what I'm learning and relearning - the more time I spend with God, the less I am disturbed by the circumstances around me. The Peace that passes all understanding takes on a new meaning. There is a resolve that comes from surrendering to God. It dictates my thoughts, my actions, my words. Over time I hope it is producing a calmness in my spirit.

Though I was very jaded and cynical after the results of this years' election, I am reminded that I still must show love, must be love. This is where I am as we start February - restful, present, peaceful, resolute in love.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

What are you learning in this new year?

--Nylse

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My Year in Review - 2024

When I take the time to write a post like this it forces me to reflect. This year, it became tangibly evident to me the goodness of God. I could see Him every morning as I watch the sunrise, see deer crossing the street, or see the seasons change. I felt Him during the most mundane tasks giving me a heavenly nudge - call this person, write this thought, use this technology to solve a problem. I heard Him through prayer, and others that he placed in my path. This year I felt a softening in

Book Review - The Garden Within by Dr. Anita Phillips

I haven't written as much as I did in the past but writing is still cathartic. It's peaceful and often when I'm writing, I'm worshipping my Creator. Sometimes I desire to write, but the words aren't there. And while God understands our inaudible words and moans, that would simply translate to a blank page that many would not understand.

So today, hopefully, the words will come. A cataclysmic event happened in our country on November 5th, and I was deeply disappointed with the results. I still am, but I know that I must take care of my heart. So it was fortuitous that I was reading The Garden Within during this time of deep disappointment.

As Christians, we unwittingly view emotions as bad or something we have to control and tamp down. How many of you have heard, "You're too emotional" as if that were a ding against you? And having heard that for most of your life, how does that make you feel? For a lot of my life, I tried to manage my emotions to make

A Seamless Tunic

Growing up with a mom who is a seamstress, you inadvertently absorb some of their processes; well at least I did. I was always amazed at how skeins of fabric, combined with thread, notions, scissors, and sweat equity could produce a finished garment. If my mom was making a dress, she always started with a pattern. The pattern jacket displayed the finished product and the inside contained detailed instructions with pattern pieces. I also remember her spreading the fabric on the table, laying and pinning the pattern pieces on the fabric, and cutting them out. Then the magic happened.

She followed those directions from the pattern, connecting piece A with piece B until she had a dress, a shirt, a skirt or

How to Blow Your Nose

I'm slowly adjusting to the joy of being a grandmother. Seeing the world through a child's eyes while having no direct responsibility for their upbringing. The pleasure of doing little things that bring joy like planting flowers or sitting for long periods coloring. Listening to her talk while she colors and learning her new favorite word - boring. "This TV show is boring." or "This music is boring." Everything is currently boring if it's not what she selected. 

Tap Tap Tap

I have a love-hate relationship with my dentist. I hate hearing the drill when fixing a cavity or the inordinate amount of time I have to keep my mouth open or X-rays. I dislike deep cleaning. I hate getting the first shot of anesthesia to numb my gums. But I do it all because a beautiful smile is worthwhile (to me). Teeth are one of the first things I notice when I meet a person.

Twenty years ago, I suffered a traumatic accident where my front teeth were damaged. My wonderful dentist (at the time) fixed my teeth so my smile looked as original as possible. But the work she did was temporary. Recently I've had to go through a series of procedures to permanently fix my smile.

Our Bodies

The human body is amazing. At my big age, I can still think clearly, walk smoothly, and push myself to try new things. I'm still afraid of dogs and have an aversion to cats but I often tell myself not to be afraid. The day a dog sits on my lap of my own volition will be monumental. I often feel awkward when my coworkers share pet stories or have their cats walking across their keyboard. (I digress).

Each day when I awake, I'm grateful for this machine that is my body. I hope I never take it for granted and that I nourish it as often as it needs it.

At this age, doctors become our friends; they fill our calendars. Being ever vigilant in taking care of our bodies every new ache may make us run to the doctor. While I'm grateful for doctors and their knowledge I do my best to rule out some things before I immediately call a doctor.

Recently I had a health scare - my blood pressure was ridiculously high combined with a heart

Holy Week Reflections

This post may be all over the place, but bear with me. This time of year holds immense significance for me as a Christian and an ordinary individual. Both of these things coincide with the timing behind my book.

Sunday, Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. Holy Week culminates with Jesus' resurrection on the following Sunday, what we call Easter Sunday. The events that happened this week are the bedrock of the Christian faith. Sometimes, traditions can wear thin when you've been part of a tradition for a while. You participate in the celebrations, but the reasons aren't always at the top of your mind. Sadly, there have been some Easters where I only focused on my outfit, what the children would wear, or the dinner menu. But this year, my spiritual purpose has reawakened. There's a more profound desire to express praise because of what happened that first week.

Disconnected: My Journey Through the Abyss of Losing My Phone

I pride myself on always keeping my phone. My phone is the keeper of information for me and my family. It acts like Grand Central Station, providing direction for multiple locations/people.

Late Friday evening, we decided to go out to dinner. I quickly changed, grabbed my phone, and headed to the car. Our first stop was at a restaurant closing in thirty minutes, so the kitchen was already closed. Bummer.

I misplaced my phone somewhere between leaving

Driving Thoughts - Road Conditions May Vary

The daily rituals of living provide many opportunities for us to view life through a spiritual lens; driving is one such thing. Many years ago, I did some posts called Driving Thoughts, which resonated with so many and focused on things I've learned and applied to my life.

When I read this devotional from Sisters In Faith, I knew immediately this would provide a great spiritual application for many.

As you travel, you will encounter ever-changing weather. In some places, you will encounter problems caused by rain, but just as cars are built with windshield wipers, God will clear your vision when things get stormy. 

New Year; New Me

Last year, I read through the Bible audibly by listening to Get In the Word with Truth's Table. This is a podcast by the women of Truth's Table. It's not a podcast, though; the two hosts read through passages from the Old and New Testaments and then end with a spirit-inspired prayer. It seems the Bible is read in chronological order, so on listening, you'll learn, for example, that a lot of Chronicles is a recap or sometimes a repeat of other books - Genesis, Kings, and Daniel.

Listening to the Word makes certain words and phrases stand out that you may have glossed over previously. This practice of waking up and listening to the word provides an excellent start to my day. I used to try to listen while walking or muddling around the kitchen, but these days, I simply sit and do nothing but listen. I am 100% present.

If I Had Sneezed

On this annual commemoration of Martin Luther King, I took my granddaughter to a local celebration. Today I learned for the first time of this speech. I'd heard parts of it before, but not in the context of surviving a life-threatening event.

On April 3, 1968, Dr. King gave his last speech before being assassinated. Before this speech, a couple of years back, while he was at a book signing, a demented lady stabbed Dr. King with a

2023 Year in Review

There are years that ask questions and years that answer." ~Zora Neale Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God."

2023 asked many questions, and I'm still searching for answers.

It's good to question because it forces us to dig deeper, become more self-aware, and ultimately become more courageous as we answer those questions. I asked myself about my circumstances, friendships, and relationships. I even directed some of these questions to  God, which was not an exercise in futility. I was pointed to Him and His