One of these days I’m going to catalogue my quotes and tally how many posts I’ve written that deal with facing — and overcomng — defeat. Quite a few, I’m thinking. Sometimes when I find a quote about overcoming defeat and then I blog about it, I’m writing myself out of a funk. And then there are times I’m …
In Others’ Words: Direction and Focus
I select a quote for various reasons. A quote may: make me laugh. make me pause and realize, “Now there’s a new way to think about (fill in the blank).” challenge my “I’ve got this all figured out” preconceived idea. give me some practical ways to approach life. Today’s quote is a bit of practical wisdom that, if heeded, …
In Others’ Words: On the dotted line
I keep a basket on one of the shelves in my office closet. In that basket I keep cards I’ve received from friends or readers or other writers. Words of encouragement that have blessed me, sometimes at just the right moment, when doubt pressed in on my dream or my sense of self. People took the time to say something …
In Others’ Word: The Kindness of Truth
I’ve come back to this quote time and time again. Read Harriet Beecher Stowe’s words so many times that I’ve lost count. And then I always close down the blog post without writing a single word. I’m conflicted about this idea of truth being kind. And I’m well aware of the admonition to speak the truth in love. (Ephesians 4:15 NIV) …
In Others’ Words: Behave Yourself
I’m writing this blog post early. Come Friday — today — I’ll be in Wichita, Kansas, visiting my “safe harbor” friend, Fran. Technically, I’m going to meet with Fran’s book club to discuss Somebody Like You, my lastest novel. But after that, well, it’s all about time with Fran. I’ve known Fran for decades. Yes, decades. And I have so …
In Others’ Words: The Best Thing About the Future
I’ve heard the “One day at a time” phrase until it’s so worn down it’s easily ignored. Abraham Lincoln’s take on the “One day” adage made me stop and think. All those days? They add up to the future. Yep, that’s true. But I can only take ’em — I can only live them — one at a time. The …
In Others’ Words: Brokenhearted
So my daughter, CJ, has been doing the graphics for my quotes the past six weeks or so. I find the photos, I find the quotes … and she puts the two together for me in a creative way. She enjoys being creative and she’s good at it. And letting her combine the quote and the graphic frees up my …
In Others’ Words: The Comfort of Love
Sometimes loving someone means not saying anything. Sometimes silence is sacrificial … you give up all your right answers for the sake of someone else’s need to be valued. You choose not to stifle their pain with words, words, and more words. Love should always be safe. When you tell someone you love them, in a very real sense you are …
In Others’ Words: So This Is Love (and giveaway)
There’s so much I love about this quote from author Becky Wade’s novel, Undeniably Yours. (And yes, there is a cowboy in the story. His name is Bo.) But I digress. Back to the quote. At some point, we are all are knocked off kilter by love. Love for another person. Love for our country. Love for a family pet …
In Others’ Words: First Love
I’m having fun here this week — not that I don’t have fun every week. But I’m celebrating the upcoming ACFW Carol Awards with two of my author friends: Deb Raney and Becky Wade. It just so happens that the three of us are finalists in the contemporary romance category. And we’re launching a week-long I ♡ ROMANCE GIVEAWAY where three different …