when you're given an idea from on High, you run with it

That's how all of this started. One day several years ago, when my now grown sons were but small, energetic boys, I was picking up toys, getting ready to make lunch, and praying. I walked around putting things in their places and praying for what else God wanted me to do. Being my boys' Mom was, is, and will always be my all-time favorite thing. Truly my greatest gifts in life, those two. But at that point in time, I was feeling a stirring in my spirit that there was something additional I was to be contributing, so I began to ask God what it was He had planned.

I'll never forget the moment the idea came. I was standing right in our kitchen holding some toys. I felt God telling me to work at sharing what I know best. I was thankful to hear that, but wondered, "What do I know best?" Was it reading bedtime stories? Making lunch? Cleaning the bathroom? All important, but I doubted others wanted to hear my version of daily routines they were doing, too. And then it dropped. Almost like it fell straight out of the sky and into my head, plain as day. "You know hardship. You know my faithfulness. You know how to come back. Show them what I can do for them and that they can recover."

Ooph. Wow. It was honestly that clear. And so the idea for the book, 'bOuNcE: rock your comebacks' was born. What better way to help other people than to be really honest about what I'd been through -- what my family had been through -- and relay how God had seen us through it and how we climbed out? Well, we climbed for some and He lifted for most of it. I'll admit that I wasn't ecstatic at first about sharing all the embarrassing, quiet, often painful stuff that you just don't typically announce to the world. But I kept getting the prompting -- share it and He'll handle the rest. People need it.

Turns out He was right. It was several years from the first prompting and ideations of the book, the ministry, all of it before it came to fruition. But after a focused, prayerful effort to create a book that would be relevant and helpful to others, I'm thankful to have gotten feedback from readers that the book really spoke to them, gave them some direction, bolstered their faith, or encouraged them in some way. I'm humbled that God would use our stories, struggles, & lives to inspire others. It's been incredible to hear others' stories of overcoming and what God has done for them. And, even cooler, I love hearing how their stories are now being used to encourage others, too. God is so good.

And so, as you visit here now and then - my little blog page - I hope you continue to find inspiration and that you're uplifted. Maybe even entertained a little. That your faith is bolstered and you continue to seek the way out, the way up, the way to stronger, healthier, happier, and to greater peace, joy, and love. Join me when you can. I promise to share whatever God has laid on my heart, to be honest, to be real, to share practical things you can actually apply, and to highlight the good stuff. Looking forward to our time together, friend.