Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes When Giving
I brought in the plastic bags. Putting them down on the table, I unload them, thankful I got to go to the food pantry today. Thankful I have something different to offer my family. Opening the Duncan Hines…
Why Does it Seem That Sometimes My Prayers Go Unanswered?
This article was previously published on Christianity Today. People pray on bended knee, opening their hearts to God, asking him for a myriad of things: healing of cancer, a job after all these months, a buyer for their…
People Feel Invisible: We need to open our eyes
“You look tired,” I said to the young woman scanning my groceries.
I’m not one to just spit out the question, “How are you?” Maybe because I know people just say what they think you want to hear.
“Oh, I AM tired,” she responded a little surprised. “I haven’t slept in days.”
“Why not?” I asked.
“We’ve had 3 break-ins in the past couple of weeks. I’m afraid to sleep.”
The Dad I Never Had
Father's Day is almost here. Sons and daughters will stand in line with cards and gifts in their hands. Cards that tell their dads how much they mean to them. Others will barely make it through the day,…
White Coffee and Wildflowers
Today is Grandma day. A day I look forward to all week. A day when I start smiling and don’t stop till I drop the kids off back home. And I don’t mean the kind of smile I…
We Need to Talk (FmF)
Hooking up with Lisa Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday. Prompt: ordinary I’ve seen you before. I’ve looked into your eyes when you’ve looked away. I see your hurt. But I want to tell you something. You matter. You…
Clean out Your Closet: Why storing our feelings can be dangerous
Oops, I did it again. I can tell by your flinch that I’ve poked you. It wasn’t my intent. My closet must be full. The one I stuff my emotions in. When I don’t deal with my emotions,…
Creative Commons TheTruthAbout
I Lied to God
(Five minute Friday ) We were on our way home. We had just finished a retreat with Willow Creek, where I was able to do a poetry workshop. Then I sold pieces of my poetry. We made $1250.00 for…
“Isn’t she Beautiful?”
(Five minute Friday) Time for Five minute Friday, linking with Lisa Jo Baker. Write for five minutes. Post without editing. Prompt: beautiful “Isn’t she Beautiful?” he asked me. Honestly, I wondered if we were looking at the same baby?…
The Hole so Deep
Anyone who calls suicide a decision clearly doesn’t understand all that it entails. We are complex human beings. More goes on below the surface than we can even comprehend. More and more, we hear about people taking their…
Livie: a Tribute to my Granddaughter
Not long ago we celebrated Olivia Jane's life. White balloons were released. Before I released mine, I kissed it. Livie Although you were so little, you taught us many things, like living in the present so…
How I Became a Published Author
I am a published author. I couldn't always say that. Although I had published 25 articles with Christianity Today and Today’s Christian Women, and I had 42 published Bible studies as well, I couldn’t say the words: “I…
I’m Gonna Pray, Olivia
I know the doctors are not giving you much of a chance, but I’m gonna pray. They hold test results in their hands, my hands are empty. God tells me to cast all my cares on Him. And…
The Scream by Edvard Munch, 1893
3 Reasons you Should NOT Join a Launch Team
The feeling is called dread. Guess What? You know, first there’s a post, “I’m so excited, I just received my book through the mail!” And there she is, Wilma Writer. With a smile that’s bigger than her face,…
He Cried with Me
My heart was heavy. How would we make it without our brother? Martha stood before me, “The Master is calling for you.” The weight around my heart released its grip. I knew he’d come. I ran towards Him. I…
What if They’re not Missing Anything?
Wow, look at that! Whenever we witness something amazing, the first thing we want to do is share it. Love wants to share Maybe you’ve seen a sunset that takes your breath away. Immediately you think of someone…
Remembering Peggy
September 12, 1982 The day you disappeared. Out of my life, but never my mind. There was a hole that never got filled. You and I were supposed to be sitting together talking about our grandkids. You never…
I’m Sorry God (FmF)
(Five minute Friday. Linking with Lisa Jo Baker. Prompt: Worship) God, it’s me, your daughter. And I have a confession to make. I’ve been sharing my worship with another. Well, actually more than one. Yes, I’ve come and sat…
“Stay on the Phone.”
I’ve spent a lot of my life in the in-between. I should have a Master’s degree in waiting. My sister disappeared in 1982. We are still waiting for some answers. And though I’ve read books on the subject…
Where I Belong (FmF)
Time for Five minute Friday, linking with Lisa Jo Baker. Write for five minutes. Post without editing. Prompt: Belong We spend our lives looking for it. Starting from the time we’re little ones. Going to school, sizing up…
The Day I Knew I was a Writer
This post is my entry in the "Writing Contest: You Are A Writer" held by Positive Writer. We were so excited. Mom called upstairs to us,“Thea Tula is here!” We loved going to our aunt’s house. I’d run to…
I Wish They Were Wrong
They had to be wrong. People were always telling me how unsafe it was in Chicago. Here I was, my early 20’s, standing on an El platform. Everything was fine. I was going home by myself. I was…
39 cents
It wasn't about the lettuce. It started out like any other day. I worked in a small National Tea Grocery store. It was Friday and the store was pretty full. The time would go pretty fast and I…
God’s Melody (Five minute Friday)
Time for Five minute Friday, linking with Lisa Jo Baker. Write for five minutes. Post without editing. Word: rhythm I watch her breathing. In and out. Her little chest going up and down. And I know who started this…
Do you Have a Story of Domestic Violence?
It was September 1982 when my sister, Peggy Gollias Dianovsky disappeared never to be seen again. She was the victim of domestic violence. I am giving my sister a voice by writing a book about domestic violence.…