Beauty in the “Ber” Months

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Beauty in the “Ber” Months

Beauty in the “Ber” Months

{An ode to the last four months of the year}

Bring on the “ber” months

With their gentle breeze

That beckons all things fall

And welcomes the wonder of winter

Seasonal change

Beginnings that become ends

And ends that bring new beginnings

The “ber” months, by far, my favorite

Cooler temps

And warm beverages to sip

Comfy sweaters

For the colder weather

Colorful leaves

That lead to barren trees

Amid the steady evergreens

Ending with a wintery mix

Of my favorite holidays

My favorite people all in one place

Decorations and celebrations

Goodbye to the old year

Hello to the new

So bring on the “ber” months

September

October

November

December

Time to let go

And time to remember

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Words Have Been Hard, But God is Still Good

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Words Have Been Hard, But God is Still Good

Words have been hard, but God is still good.

{Ironically the image I chose to go along with this post is of the Pierce family at Dewayne’s Celebration of Life service where God very powerfully spoke through Dewayne’s wife and each of his five kids with words and tears and supernatural strength. God gave them each perfect words to honor Dewayne — from leading worship to telling funny stories to thanking God for the amazing husband and father Dewayne was and the legacy they’ll each carry on in word and deed.}

I’ve been a little MIA lately on the blog and social media. I know I don’t owe anyone an explanation, but I’m sharing one just the same, because well, God prompted me to attempt to share in words what He’s been sharing with me in and through His Word. So, here goes...

December’s usually when I’m posting the most — Advent’s my favorite, and I usually have lots of thoughts to share as I journey through my Advent devotionals. December’s nostalgic, and I usually have lots of memories to share as I journey through pictures of Christmases past, traditions that have transitioned, and the love that still lasts.

But this year, this season was ushered in by pain, loss, sadness, and questions. Our family lost a dear friend. My best friend lost her husband. My husband lost his best friend. It’s been hard, but God is good.

As we try to make sense of it all, we’re faced with the reality that we will never fully make sense of it all, but even still, God is reminding me in His Word and in this season (that is known for hope and joy and peace) even if...

Words have been hard, He is still good.

Luke 2:18-19 says, “And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

While the weary world rejoices around us as we all wonder and marvel at the goodness of God in the message of the Gospel, God’s calling me (and maybe He’s calling you as well) to embrace verse 19 — “BUT Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.”

You can treasure and ponder SILENTLY AND PRIVATELY — intimately between you and your Savior, not for the whole world to see. And that’s ok. And God’s still good. And His Word is still true, even when and if words fail you.

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We Will Go the Way of What We're Willing to Say

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We Will Go the Way of What We're Willing to Say

Another post…another poem about truth. I hope that’s ok. Since this is what’s been heavy on my heart, I might as well “practice what I preach” or more accurately, “post what I speak.” To see the poem I posted prior to this one, click here.

And now, without further adieu, another poem I wrote just for you (and for me, too)…

We will go the way

of what we’re willing to say…

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A word to the wise about compromise...

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A word to the wise about compromise...

It is not wise to compromise

when you trade

the truth of God’s Word

for a world full of lies.


Yeah, I know,

we are called to live in it,

but we are also called to stand out,

be set apart, not just comfortably fit.


It takes bravery

to go against the grain

and perseverance in the times

we feel like we’re going insane.


Since when has

being proud of sin

become our go to response

in hopes not to offend?


Christians, God’s standard

is sweetened by His grace,

and to continue in sin,

is like spitting in His face


Mocking the one

who went to the cross,

He paid the penalty for our sins,

our gain was His loss.


This isn’t some game

where we’re keeping the score.

Wear your mask and shut up

because those that do love more.


This is a matter

of life and death,

not just physical, but eternal,

beyond our last breath.


It’s spiritual, folks.

We must open our eyes.

The enemy’s at work

with all this compromise.


We’re confused and hurt

and we’re losing our minds.

But God is still God,

complete and divine.


We can tiptoe around words

trying to be politically correct,

Or we can open the Word,

and receive a Word we must never forget,

never neglect,

and will never ever regret.


When we compromise,

we perpetuate lies,

staying hidden in disguise,

while others chastise,

and please hear me when I say,

this is not wise,

it will lead to our demise.


It’s dangerous.

It’s deadly.

It’s time to stop

the insanity.


It is not wise to compromise

when you trade

the truth of God’s Word

for a world full of lies.

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