Category: faith
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Optimism Doesn’t Equal Denial
Once upon a time, in a land long ago (called my thirties), I still retained a significant amount of optimism, even about the smallest things. I have always been a pragmatist, but a cheerful one. Fast-forward to my 50’s and though I still work toward positivity, I’m not the Pollyanna…
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The Time is Now
If you have been around church a while, you’ve likely heard several sermons encouraging parishioners to “wait upon the Lord”. “Keep waiting with great expectation of what the Lord can do!” the enthusiasm pours down from the pulpit. Wait for the salvation of family members. Wait patiently for the promotion.…
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Somber Sunday, Hopeful Monday
I came across the following words today, stated by actress Shannen Doherty of the 1990’s television show, Beverly Hills 90210. She died on Saturday at 53-years old. “I don’t want to die,” she heartbreakingly told People at the time. “I’m not done with living. I’m not done with loving. I’m not done with…
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Find the Humor?
“Look for the humor in the teen years.” The 75-year old former pastor said this as we walked toward the sanctuary for Sunday service. Find the humor? Does this man still not know me even a little? What could possibly be funny about what I was sharing with him? “It’s…
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Small Accomplishments
Pulling cookies from the oven on that Sunday afternoon, three dozen chocolate chip circles were the closest I’d felt to any real accomplishment in many months. I created something. It would be easier if I simply appreciated the basic equation of work = money but I’m the sort who cares…
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Thieves: Stop Stealing. The Rest of Us: Stop Enabling the Thieves
Good people understand the extensive questioning and background checks required at church before being permitted near children. We accept walking in our socks through airport security to ensure our safety. Where is the line drawn for…
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The First Mission Field Is the Nest
Whenever I visit a first-time Mom, my personal tradition is to bring a gift for her, not the infant. There are already piles of onesie’s, outfits through 4T, and impressive stacks of diapers strewn about the house. New Mama lights up holding the little something just for her. I keep…
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They Don’t Remember You. So why the fame desperation?
Remember the Bionic Woman and The Six Million Dollar Man? My kids have no idea who they are! Last summer, I read Matthew Perry’s memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. His drug struggles, dating famous women and acting gigs were intriguing, but I camped for a hot second…
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Ever Have Vertigo?
On my knees, I gripped the bottom of the bedpost white-knuckled, squeezing my eyelids tight. “God, please make this stop,” I begged. Then I assured myself, “I know it will stop. I’m ok. It’s ok.” My second run with vertigo recently ended and it lasted seven weeks. The first time…
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Persevere My Fellow Pilgrim
The addict in front of me on a Thursday afternoon is free from prison, but according to his Dad, remains in a caged mentality. I happened upon him and his father, randomly crossing paths the day after the 30-year old was paroled. The addiction which led to theft for cash…
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Blog Relaunch
Welcome to Family5Power – Tales from a Mid-Life Mama! If you are still a subscriber, thank you for sticking around! If you are a first time visitor, please join me in this new adventure. The photo on the left was my WordPress icon for many years (my youngest daughter), writing…
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Time – Everything and Nothing
The line of cubicles appeared as if nothing had been moved or worked in for months. They hadn’t. Several surrounding offices also displayed Valentine’s Day decorations from February 2020. Everywhere I looked, empty offices that hadn’t been habited in 11 months contained photographs, office supplies and even sweaters still hung…
Tales from a Mid-Lifer 