Out of the Chaos
Inspiration for living outside of the chaos.
Tag: discouragement
OUT OF THE CHAOS 03.30.2022
The third lesson I learned on the run is the value of stretching. Often times, after I returned from a run, I moved right into the rest of the day. I didn’t take time to cool down or to stretch. Then I developed injuries. The days when I took five minutes to stretch at the …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 03.24.2022
Last week I talked about anxiety. As I consider pausing and anxiety in the same basket, something becomes abundantly clear to me. Next week, my husband and I, along with about thirty-eight others, are traveling to Israel. Now, I have overcome my anxiety about air travel. I have overcome my anxiety about air travel across …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 02.22.22
17Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?” Genesis 17:17 12So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 01.11.2021
I hear voices in my head. I hear my own voice sometimes affirming me, sometimes chastising me, sometimes encouraging me, sometimes just talking about whatever I am doing. I hear the voice of the enemy. His voice discourages, intimidates, deflates, shames, blames and squelches me. I am getting better at identifying it for what it …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 10.04.2021
Parenting isn’t for cowards. It is a demanding task with sleepless nights, long days and messy floors. Then there are those times when children don’t appreciate the sacrifices parents make to ensure their comfort, safety and overall well-being. These revelations are often unsolicited and unwelcome glimpses into the child’s mind. My first experience with these …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 09.29.2021
My phone whistles at me, indicating another new text message. I glance at it and read another no. No, it doesn’t work tonight. I drop my head slightly and hear the subtle, mocking voice – “you should just throw your hands up and quit.” Tempted to agree, I pause on the image that comes to …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 05.01.2020
Romance. Chick flicks. Whatever you call them, they usually include a character who pursues someone in spite of great opposition. This person refuses to take no for an answer and is jealous for the affection of his/her true love. Jealousy has a bad rap. Mostly it motivates people to do stupid things that are harmful …
OUT OF THE CHAOS 04.30.2020
What distinguishes you from those around you? Is there anything at all that you won’t leave home without? Something that gives you confidence and courage? Moses was asked to perform an amazing feat: lead a nation out of slavery in Egypt to a land of their own. Considering the number of people and the magnitude …
out of the chaos 04.24.2020
Spoiler alert: if you are squeamish about wounds and cuts, proceed with caution. Just saying! Last Friday I cut my finger. While chopping bacon to add to mashed potatoes for loaded mashed potatoes, I successfully chopped the corner of my finger clean off. Not just part way through, but clean off. Interestingly, it didn’t really …
Keep the End in Mind
Dave and I are in an awesome phase of parenting – empty nesters. Most parenting begins at the same place: infants and toddlers. The most basic job a parent has in this stage is to keep the children alive. Somedays it feels like herding cats. I remember the day I came upon my youngest daughter …
Out of the Chaos 