I Was Shocked

I didn’t write this, although I wish I had, it gives me pause to think...


I was shocked, confused, bewildered
as I entered Heaven's door,
not by the beauty of it all,
nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
the gamblers and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbour
who never said anything nice.

Roger, who I always thought
was rotting away in hell,
was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,
so somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Write for Your Life

I’ve kept a journal for many years. It’s been a great place to express my innermost thoughts and feelings that I don’t necessarily want to share with others. I talk to God in prayer trying to understand myself and the world around me. I have used it as a tool to banish all my inner demons and to heal my brokenness.

I began this endeavour in 1987 after reading that keeping a journal was very therapeutic. At that time in my life I was tormented by countless personal issues that were ruining my life so, I thought why not? I started with nothing more than a scribbler,my imperfect faith and my desire to be happy but, armed with what I had, I began to write trying to make sense of my life, praying I’d find that road to peace and joy. The more I wrote, the more I wanted to write.

I couldn’t believe the junk that came pouring out of me. It spilled out from places we keep hidden from everyone, sometimes even ourselves. I’d finally found a safe outlet to less loose. I could be angry, sad, frustrated and totally vulnerable. The journey was between me and my God. It’s been tumultuous, poignant and admittedly at times, an agonizingly difficult ride, but what a trip it’s been!

To my amazement as the years evolved I began to feel happier and more at peace. Much of my pain and brokenness were being healed. I was easier to be around and felt so much more open to loving and being loved. Life was so much better. Gradually through my journaling I began to understand and forgive those who had wounded me. I discovered that much of the harm hadn’t been intentional. For the most part I had just fallen victim to others pain; wounded people wound others. There was revelation after revelation throughout the years and I discovered that writing in my journal was not only therapeutic, but was a gateway to peace. Something about purging my soul on paper opened me to God’s healing touch. I was becoming the person I wanted to be and not furthering the damage. The buck was ending with me. I was beginning to feel restored and whole.

I still journal and although I wouldn’t say I’m completely fixed, I find my writing now is more about growth, possibility and seeking a higher road. I want to give back and share. It’s become a lifelong habit that I’m so grateful having discovered. If anyone feels like they have so much pain, anger and frustration bottled up that their souls might burst; I highly recommend journaling. Try it and see if helps vent some of those destructive emotions that are choking all the joy out of your life.

It doesn’t have to be fancy or even time-consuming. I do it most every morning over coffee, but the time is irrelevant. It’s private and needn’t be shared with anyone. In fact, most of my journals I’ve destroyed as I finished them. It isn’t about leaving a legacy or bearing one’s soul to the world. It’s about healing, growing, forgiving. It’s about peace and joy. Make a commitment to journal for one full year. It doesn’t need to be daily but, it must be regularly scheduled into your life.

I double-dog dare anyone to give it a fair trial and I promise if done with brutal honesty, regularity and thoughtful prayer, a day will arrive when you discover that you’ve exhausted most every negative emotion you possess and you’re able to forgive. Many of your demons will have vanished and joy has replaced brokenness. Write for those who’ve hurt you, for those you’ve hurt and to find the peace that surpasses all understanding. Write for your life.

I am only a Resounding Gong

“To all those who have fallen prey to my piercing tongue I apologise & promise to come up higher...”

Sometimes I wonder why it is so easy for me (being honest) to judge, criticize and undermine others when the same energy and time could be used praising or helping? The problem lies within me. Every time I pass judgement without knowing the full story, which is most of the time, I send into the world more negative emotional energy. Isn’t that just what this world needs? Another naysayer? Critic? Cynic?

In truth, I inflate my own ego each time I do this and I would do well to mind my words because I truly believe what goes around, comes around. Or do I? If I truly believed this wouldn’t I guard my tongue more? After all, unjust and unfair criticism isn’t going to come back to me in a nice way. My actions belie my words. Why is it so difficult to get all the facts before I pass judgement? That might require consideration and valuing the truth more than my wee ego. Such effort involved! Discovering the truth of the situation might actually cause me to feel empathy and a desire to help; good lord I don’t want to go down that road called “caring”.

I often complain about our world being such a cold, heartless organism that has lost all authentic heart for our fellowman. When I encounter someone who initiates a genuine cause experienced at the core of their soul; I am pleasantly taken aback. What a breath of fresh air! So why can’t I breathe love into this world, too? Wouldn’t my time and energy be better valued using it to improve the world I’m so quick to condemn? Heh, is it possible I fall into that abyss of cold, heartless “they”?

Me who sees what wrong with others so effortlessly? Me who knows what everyone else should do? How could that possibly be? Ahhh, my words are my mirror. What value am I if I fail to understand or fail to love? The most excellent advice or wisdom in the world comes from the greatest book ever told:

1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor, and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

I would do well to pay attention....

Let’s Dance

I am thinking today about the many young women I know who are married and have or are planning a family. I am remembering how difficult it can be to grow a happy marriage, raise healthy, well-adjusted children and still find time to take care of oneself. It is one of life’s greatest challenges. When done well all the trials and tribulations of marriage and family are truly worth it, yet so many give up before any of the immense rewards are obtained. Why is that?


It’s said that statically about 40% of marriages fail. That’s an alarming rate and although I’m sure it’s a multi-layered and complex problem; I wonder if fundamentally we look at marriage in a wrong way? It is often described as hard work, a game, a trap, prison or hell on earth. Any and all of these descriptions imply a difficult and painful journey. If our psyche is tuned into thinking our marriage is nothing but work, a trap or any other dreadful synonym, is it surprising at all that so many couples split up? How can we possibly get through the pitfalls and challenges that living a lifetime with someone requires when we don’t even portray it in a joyful light?

In all fairness, marriage isn’t always joyful. It can be tremendously demanding and sometimes you do feel trapped. Then those times when the hubby makes you so mad you could spit nails; it does feel like hell on earth. Okay, I admit it and yes, have felt it, but my saving grace and finding my bliss changed with a word. Dance. Yes, dance. Marriage is like a dance. It’s such a nice word with such lovely connotations; right? Unless you’re dancing with someone with two left feet.... Ahhhhh; now you beginning to get it.


A new marriage is like a dance between two people who haven’t found their stride together. Sometimes you’re both trying to lead, sometimes both follow. You step on his feet and he steps on yours. You trip, he stumbles and sometimes you collapse in utter exhaustion and frustration from all the effort. Yet, sometimes you collapse in laughter and hilarity. These are the early years of a marriage. Then time moves on and....

As the years roll by and the music changes (diapers, bottles, teething) your partner and you begin to find a rhythm and a song that suits both. More years, more songs and soon you find you’re hardly ever tripping over each other any longer. The dance matures and your styles begin to merge. My goodness after many trials and much effort you find you’ve both become such accomplished dancers that you can swirl around the ballroom floor without missing a beat. You look beautiful together and there is so much joy!

It was worth all the sacrifices and painful experiences. You are so grateful you didn’t give up and look for another dance partner. Marriage like dancing takes practise, patience, respect and above all, tenacity. You’re so glad you stayed and danced....