It was Valentine's Day. I was sitting on my couch and heard a far-off meow. Soon, there was a chorus of heartbreaking meows sitting at my doorstep. How could I ignore it? I looked out the window and there he was - an orange and white tabby cat with sea green eyes. He looked up at me with hope and continued to meow incessantly until I opened the door. I always hate seeing animals outside during winter months. I stepped outside, and he immediately began purring. In a matter of minutes, my jeans were covered with fur - he seemed so grateful that someone was paying attention to him. He was shivering from the low temps, so I warmed up a small bowl of milk for him. I thought that was all I had to offer him until I remembered I had a few cans of tuna - I quickly became his best friend. I called Animal Care & Control . . . twice, but they never showed up. Sadly, I am not allowed pets in my apartment. Thankfully he wasn't without shelter. There is an old s...
What if I told you that talking to an empty chair was one of the most freeing and healing experiences I had during my three years in counseling? You're probably thinking something to the effect of "what in the world? She talked to an empty chair?" Yep, I sure did! It was my senior year at IWU. I was working with my therapist to find healing from a fragmented relationship in my life. My therapist pointed to an empty chair and said "Pretend that they are sitting in that chair. What would you say to them?" I thought this was simply a rhetorical question to get me thinking, but no. My therapist actually wanted me to talk out loud to an empty chair. I was hesitant at first, and doubted that this exercise would be beneficial, but I played along. I turned toward the empty chair and began to talk to "them." I shared my hurt, my need to let go of the past and desire to move forward. I asked for forgiveness for the way I treated them. And I forgave them f...
"If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this." - C.S. Lewis As I was sitting outside of McConn eating lunch today, it really hit me--this isn't my home. Scripture clearly tells us that, as Christ-followers, we are aliens and strangers in this world. I find myself often desiring to just fit in, but the truth is that I SHOULDN'T fit in here. This isn't my home. With the best yet to come, many of us find ourselves living as if this life is all there is. I have news for you--there is more! So, maybe you already believe there is Heaven...good, but are you living in accordance with that belief? I am included in this, too. I often dismiss God-given opportunities, missing out on the blessings that result from acknowledging the subtle whispers of the Holy Spirit. I...
This is great and so are you. :-)
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