On Success and Legacy
Mar 18th
Our pastor said it last Sunday: “All that matters in the end – what you see around the deathbeds – is how well someone loved.”
And my mind goes to Marie O’Neill, a woman who was never listed in any Who’s Who of anything on earth, but she was one of the most successful people I knew.
For over fifty years, my Grandma Rea lived in the tiny white clapboard house, the dot at the end of a long dirt road exclamation mark in Osage County. She had only granddaughters and treated us all like favorites, indiscriminately dishing out love like homemade sugar More >
When a Mistake Is the Best Thing that Can Happen
Mar 14th
A couple weeks ago, I wrote this post about a mistake I made and how that mistake snowballed into several others ’til my grade for the day was a big fat F. And ya know what??Y’all blew me away with your comments to that post. By sharing stories of your own grade F days, you linked arms with me, looked me in the eyes, and told me I’m not alone. You reminded me?the purpose of living a Christ filled life is to walk in the power of His resurrection, not my own condemnation.
And in the spirit of this been-there-done-that kind of support, we’re More >
Because There?s Nothing Wimpy About Being an Encourager
Mar 13th
I’ve heard it whispered and seen it written in more than one place:
Some encouragers are soft clich??whipper-outers with faith deep as a kiddie pool. Sure, they’re nice and all, but they lack thoughtful opinions, creative ideas, and savvy smarts.?Their words aren’t all that courageous or brave.
I can’t deny this has been a fear of mine {says the girl whose blog is named?Chasing Blue Skies?}. But when push comes to shove, I always revisit the same word to describe this line of thinking:
Hogwash.
Yes ma’am.
As an encourager, there is nothing namby-pamby about you. Ready why over here? And if you like the More >
One Thing that Happens Every Time You?re Brave
Mar 12th
“We have to be braver than we think we can be, because God is constantly calling us to be more than we are, to see through plastic sham to living, breathing reality, and to break down our defenses of self-protection in order to be free to receive and give love.”
Walking on Water, Madeleine L’Engle
My backyard fence hems in our yard with side-by-side wood slats. The wood slats stand together close, but not so close you can’t see between them. And oh, the things you could see if you peeked through them.?You might see me chase the dog or fuss at More >
Out of the Blue :: Appreciation
Mar 7th
If you are playing along, here are a few things to remember:
1. New to link-up?s or have questions??Read this first.
2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer?by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue.?
3. Be sure to include the?out of the blue?banner {see below} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun.?That way, we can all easily find each other.
God is full of surprises, and He uses these different blessings to prove His dependable faithfulness. Out More >
When Breaking Up with Your Orthodontist Feels Like Climbing a Mountain
Mar 5th
Several months ago, our beloved orthodontist moved out of state. I cried when he left, but not because we were good friends or anything. Our whole family just really liked him and his super friendly staff.
It doesn’t take me long to get attached to people I like.
His replacement is a darling, kind woman, and we were disappointed when she closed the office location close to our house.
We were further disappointed when she joined another orthodontist’s office. We didn’t see her or the original staff too often.
Because of all this and other reasons, I decided it was time to find a More >
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