Dandelions—the bane of many homeowners who strive for manicured lawns. Adults see them as an irritation. A nuisance. But children see dandelions as a source of unlimited potential. Wishes, hopes, and dreams wrapped up in the seeds of a wild flower. When you were a...
Are You Mad at God?
Life happens…although not always the way we want it to. Sometimes we’re surprised by amazing events beyond our wildest expectations. Other times, we’re blindsided by our worst nightmares come true. When that happens, do you get mad at God? After all, He’s sovereign,...
A Time to Work and a Time Not to Work
The Labor Day holiday weekend is coming. Ironically, it’s a holiday we celebrate by avoiding what we’re celebrating. We celebrate labor by not working. This holiday reminds us there’s a time to work…and a time not to work. And that applies to our Christian life, too....
Our Days Are Numbered
Our days are numbered. That sounds so ominous, doesn’t it? Or maybe it sounds like cheesy dialogue in a B movie: “Your days are numbered, pal.” But think about it. This earthly body doesn’t last forever. And it would seem way too senseless if the measure of our life...
But God
One of my favorite phrases in the Bible is “but God.” The phrase is peppered throughout Scripture. And it makes my heart smile every time I come across one of those verses. They bring a vertical perspective to my horizontal circumstances. They remind me that my...
One Word Update – Wrong Word for 2018?
By most people’s standards, I picked the wrong word for 2018. For several years now, instead of making new year's resolutions, I've practiced selecting one word to focus on each year. Actually, it’s not so much that I select the word, it’s more that it’s the word I...
Running Out of Time
We’re careful about how we spend our money. And we’re careful about exhausting our energy reserves. We’re also careful about how we spend our time…or are we? When I worked in the corporate world, I taught training sessions on time management. The components of time...
Can We Really Control Our Thought Life ?
It starts with a flitting thought. So quick, by the time I realize what it is, it’s gone. But when it returns, it lingers a bit. And I dwell on it a few moments longer. Then I find myself rationalizing as to why The Thought is not so bad. In the deep recesses of my...
Bucket List
Do you have a “bucket list”? I wasn’t familiar with the phrase until the release of the movie by the same name in 2007, starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman. IMDb describes The Bucket List as “Two terminally ill men escape from a cancer ward and head off on a...
Packed for the Journey
With our 40th wedding anniversary approaching in a few days, I thought you might enjoy this personal account from the day Russ and I were married… ~~~ “There’s no room!” I squeezed back the tears, but my husband of just a few hours stood resolute. Romantic...
Receive Ava’s weekly blog
posts & occasional
newsletters in your inbox!
You May Also Like
Chosen Reflections: Temporary or Eternal?
Chosen Reflections: Is Life Temporary or Eternal? They say it’s a cop-out. Avoiding responsibility and evading...
Living with Uncertainty
Living with Uncertainty Benjamin Franklin may not have originated the phrase, but he is well known for...
One Word: From Wait to Present
One Word: From Wait to Present Time for my new 2023 “one word.” For 2022, my “one word” was wait, something...