Quiet Moments With God -- How Great Is Our God.

This week I'm a guest on K Dawn Byrd's blog at www.kdawnbyrd.blogspot.com. She asked me if I would share three things people didn't know about me. One of the three that I mentioned is a speech impediment I had when I was a child.

A speech impediment doesn't sound like a big deal, but it was for me. The response from others left deep wounds. I'd try so hard to make people understand what I was saying, but I couldn't do it. One by one the other kids turned away from me. I was different. My mother says I'd try so hard to communicate. I'd say something over and over until I was yelling. Who wants to listen to someone yell gibberish at them?

It took only two years of speech therapy to cure my speaking difficulties, but another twenty to heal my wounded heart. Sometimes, even today, I get hurt without real cause and I can trace the hurt all the way back to the days when I was an outcast.

Even when I felt I was good for nothing God had plans for me. Surprisingly some of those included public speaking. Not only do I speak for all sorts of groups, but I love it. Who would have guessed.

In a response to one of the people who commented about my speech impediment on K Dawn's blog I said, "How great is our God!" He is great, beyond our understanding. He can do more with our lives than we can dream or imagine. I love the verse Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

When I was a wounded little girl I had no idea what God would do with my life. I couldn't imagine that He'd bind up my broken heart and teach me to trust Him. He knew what lay ahead for me. What an amazing thing He has done.

He has a plan for your life too. Trust Him. Keep walking your path and be amazed at how great is our Lord.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Be Flexible

Flexibility is not one of my strengths—I always have a plan. And whenever possible I stick to it. My kids have told me many times that I need to be more spontaneous. I’m practicing—honestly.

Life throws detours at us so we all need to be flexible some of the time. When I write I always have a plot outline and character outlines. But one of the fun and exciting things about writing is the detours. I encounter characters I didn’t know existed and discover plot twists and turns I’d never dreamed of. However, being flexible is easier for me when it’s part of a fictional story rather than real life.

The last few weeks life pressed in. It threw things at me I didn’t expect and I had to force myself to “go with the flow”. I’ve been absent from my blog for a couple of weeks because I’m trying to be flexible. I had other things to do that took precedence. And although not all of them were pleasant, I've actually had fun.

So, I ask myself why I’m compelled to push on, to fulfill the plan or the obligation no matter what? I’m sure my personality as well as routines imprinted on me while growing up have a lot to do with it. But, I also believe it has to do with trusting myself more than trusting God. That sounds ludicrous, but let’s get honest with ourselves—we all do it. God has surprises for us. And I know if I’d learn to rest in Him and enjoy the unexpected life would be less stressful and a lot more fun.

So . . . I’m back. I’ve missed sharing with you. However, I did finish my book and can’t wait to get the OK from my editor so I can start shouting about it. I had family here from California and enjoyed them immensely. My sister and brother-in-law are still here, visiting from Alaska. I’ve loved quiet mornings over coffee with my sis and I’m looking forward to an afternoon of fishing, an evening watching stars and maybe even a night at the movies before she returns to her tiny hamlet in the north.

So, before we miss something that truly matters, take a deep breath and step out of the plan. It’s okay, really. God might have something special for you.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- The Mountain is Out

In the state of Washington in the Enumclaw area there is a saying, "The Mountain is out." All those living on the plateau know when someone says this it means Mount Rainier is visible, which also includes clear skies and sunhine. In the spring this is a special event. I know, I grew up in the rainy northwest.

On Saturday, May 16th, it was a gloriously beautiful day. My friend Ann Shorey and I were driving from our hotel to Enumclaw when I said, "Uh oh, the mountain is out."

So, why would that be a problem for two visiting authors? After a long, wet winter locals do anything but stay indoors when the skies turn blue and the sun warms the earth. And Ann and I were on our way to the Salt Shaker Bookstore to teach two writing workshops and sign copies of our most recent releases along with local author Susan Marlow. Conditions meant turn out would likely be low. After all, The Mountain was out.

The Salt Shaker Bookstore is a first-rate store that specializes in Christian books and gifts. They also serve coffee and goodies. I think it's a terrific place to spend a day.

As it turned out, on the 16th I was one of the few who felt that way. We had only one attendee for our workshops. Two of the store employees graciously joined the class and of course Ann and I took part when the other was speaking. I suppose the natural inclination is to see the event as a flop, but not so.

God knew what He was up to. He had a plan and May 16th belonged to Him. It was a delightful day. Our one attendee, Judy Gann, is a non-fiction author who has just begun her journey into fiction writing. She was happy to be there and ready to learn. Ann and I enjoyed her company immensely. We were both touched by the store employees who sat in on our classes. The folks at the Salt Shaker are super nice people. Throughout the day there were unexpected visits from special friends and readers. And I was especially surprised by a visit from my Junior High principal, Charles Wilson. What a special treat.

May 16th in Enumclaw is the day, in my history, that I taught my smallest class ever(thus far), but it will also be remembered as an absolutely lovely day filled with unexpected blessings. It definitely was NOT a flop. And I was especially happy to be in Enumclaw on a day when The Mountain was out. :-)

Praising God for His blessings!

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie