10 Favorite Posts from 2015
These stories aren’t necessarily the most visited or most commented on. But they involve people and stories that touched my life.
Perhaps they touched yours, too.
1. Are you impatient with your impatience?
My attitude was bad. Is it hard for you to be compassionate with yourself? The grace we give others is the same grace that God wants us to give ourselves.
The fierceness online can get out of hand. Would we say the same thing in person that we type as a Facebook comment? Is it more important to be known as a faith-defender or a Jesus-lover?
3. If you can’t do it every time
I wanted to do her favor, but I was scared it would start something. If we can’t do it every time, should that stop us from doing it this time?
She asks us to keep silent for the weekend. Really? God may do his greatest work through our “waste of time.” Is it harder for you to speak up or to be quiet?
I take a deep breath before I enter his apartment. There is an unusual person in your life, too. How do they need you? How do you need them?
6. Everybody can do something. What will you do?
I watch this homeless guy. He’s using what he has, doing what he can do at the library.
That’s all God asks of any of us, right?
I knew this flag story would be retold to their friends up north as something they found in Alabama.
But it matters less how we look; what matters more is how we are. Where do you see racism hiding?
All I see is a dad who wants to talk to his kids. All relationships—even cracked ones, even ones separated by death—are eternal. Do you have a relationship you’d like to repair before it’s too late?
9. When I am embarrassed to be white
Then it fell, her final question, the zinger: “Were those people black?” I wanted to lie. When have you been embarrassed about who you are?
I didn’t know. But Patrick would. If I would just ask. When have you had to admit you didn’t know? Who have you had to ask for help?
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Thanks for reading along in 2015! I’ve loved having you with me. Let’s see what God will show us in 2016. Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Related:
Lisa, I am always blessed by your thought-full writing. I love the way that God speaks through you. I am consistently encouraged, challenged, inspired, convicted – and always come away with *food for thought*. It’s a joy to know you, and to share in the journey of faith with you.
Looking forward to more *notes* in 2016!
Merry Christmas, and GOD BLESS!
Thank you for those kind words, Sharon. Ditto for how I feel when I read your blog. I love how God spreads insights through each other’s stories. Have a blessed Christmas!
I always love the end-of-the-year wrap-up posts. Kudos to you doing it before Christmas!
I noticed that I missed the one about “Can You Be Quiet.” I would love to try a retreat such as that. I don’t think I’d have trouble not talking, but no reading or writing would be difficult for me. I always think a time of silence brings some kind of revelation. Maybe there will come a time in my life when I can find out!
If you get a chance, I do recommend the silent retreat! Yes, the not reading or writing was the hardest part. I can go without speaking without TOO much trouble, at least for a little while. ha. But not reading? That is difficult! 🙂 Praying you and your family have a blessed Christmas!
Love this! I did a Year in Review last year and had forgotten all about it until I linked up next to you for Small Wonders… what a great way to reflect over the year and to hook up any new readers to posts that really meant a lot to you! Great idea and lots of great material to read here! Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Karrilee. I like doing these posts for myself as much as anybody else because I like to be reminded of all the places God showed up! It’s so easy to forget about the little moments throughout a year. Have a blessed Christmas!
Great wrap-up,, brought back some nice and challenging memories.
I’d do a retrospective except that I’m far too tired. It’s all I can do to keep going.
Just keep going, Andrew. Your energy is too precious right now to look backward. Stay in the present and anticipate a better future ahead! Blessings to you this Christmas. I’ll be praying for you and for your wife as she ministers to her coworker by housesitting.
Lisa,
I so appreciate your heart and honesty in your writing. I’m thankful when I read what God has been showing you and blessing you and blessing others through you and your heart. Merry and blessed Christmas to you and yours 🙂
Thanks, Dolly. It always encourages me to read what you share too. God is definitely still on the move in our lives! Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!
I recall all of them. Good picks. Those are the ones that stirred my heart and spurred my soul too. So appreciate your seeking heart… kinda has a way of dragging mine along with you!
Merry Christmas to you and your whole clan, Lisa! God bless you abundantly, sister.
Glad our hearts have been dragging each other along for quite some time now, Floyd. 🙂 As long as God is leading us, it’s all good. Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas!