"Chasing Silhouettes" Emily's Book

This beautiful young woman is Emily. She is a wife, mother of four boys (two of whom are hers), artist and author of "Chasing Silhouettes: How to Help a Loved One Battling an Eating Disorder," available here. She is also one of the dearest people I know, with a passionate love for her Savior and others.

That love runs through the pages of her book - a book birthed out of the pain of her own suffering - as she reaches out to those with eating disorders.  

The book tells the story of her struggle with an eating disorder that nearly took her life. She has included stories from other people, each coming from different circumstances,  but all with the same terrible struggle.

 Family members and friends tell how living with someone with an eating disorder affects them and offer advice on how to react and what to say. No one escapes the pain. When a loved one suffers, we all suffer.

 Then there is the perspective from medical professionals. It is a comprehensive look at a problem faced by so many families. In a time where outward appearance seems to be everything, and the standard so skewed, it offers hope and sound, practical advice.

Emily has included a prayer at the end of every chapter - moving, heartbreaking words to a God who loves us just the way we are.

While reading it, even though I don't suffer from an eating disorder, I found wisdom for my own life. We all have battles we must fight. It is so encouraging to know there is hope.

For more information please visit www.emilywierenga.com

Blessings,
Linda

Stairs

 The old house cradled three staircases within its century old walls. Two twisted their way from basement to first floor and then on to the second floor. One hid behind the kitchen door - a secret passage to the bedroom with slanted ceiling and lace-covered canopy. The one where rock and roll blared from the radio, teenage feet danced across wooden floors and Ambush perfume scented the air.

The main staircase had its beginning in the foyer. It disappeared from sight around a curve eight stairs up - stairs that received a glorious makeover when my parents restored the old house. The light colored wood gleamed when sunlight peeked through the little window panes on either side of the front door. Colorful stenciled flowers graced the white face of every single step. Steps that echo with the sounds of prom shoes awkwardly clicking on  wood, of white satin wedding shoes softly leaving home, of a little boy who arrived late and brought joy. 

They were also the scene of one of the funniest moments of our childhood. Mom was giving the grand tour to one of her friends. My little sister and I were playing downstairs. Before climbing to the second floor, the thoughtful visitor slipped off her shoes - walking quietly behind Mom in stockinged feet. After leading the way through the bedrooms, Mom graciously stepped aside to let her friend go first. 

She put one stockinged foot on the first stair and slowly descended. All went well until she reached the curve and her feet went out from under her. She landed on her bottom and began bouncing down the steps.

My little sister and I sensed something exciting was afoot when we heard the "OOHH!!  OOHH!!" echoing through the foyer. Mom stood frozen on the top step, hand pressed to her heart. Every time the poor woman's bottom hit a step, Mom would hoot - "OOHH!" - keeping perfect time.

We crouched  in the hallway, laughing so hard we couldn't move or speak.

Fortunately Mom's friend was well padded, and all was well.

I'm linking to Amber's blog. She is an amazing writer and has given us a prompt. This is my humble offering.

Blessings,
Linda

Drummer Boy

I have a friend who has a gift for giving gifts. She has an uncanny ability to find the perfect gift for every person on every occasion. There is no disappointment when her beautifully wrapped packages are opened.  There is simply joy in being known.

We have a grandson who has been given a gift. It would seem it was knit into the fabric of his being long before he drew his first breath. He didn't discover the gift right away. It was hidden somewhere, waiting for the right moment. A wonderful surprise.

He opened it the day someone placed a set of drumsticks in his hands. He was just a little boy, but the gift was evident to those who know about such things. It was the perfect gift - not one to be stuck in the back of a closet or given away to the local thrift store. Everything about it fit.

The years, as years are wont to do, flew by, and the drummer is no longer a little boy. He is teetering on the edge of adulthood - facing decisions that will affect the rest of his life.

We got to spend time with him this past week. His schedule is packed full - school, college entrance exams, worship band, basketball - and those decisions.Of one thing he is certain. He holds the gift close to his heart and then offers it back to the Giver, with gratitude. "I have been given a gift. I want to use it for Him."

We experience great joy when the gift we've given is appreciated. I like to imagine the Giver of gifts laughing with joy as the gift, long treasured, is given with open heart by His children, to be used for His purposes. 

Blessings,
Linda

A Few Days Off

I'm going to take a few days off. I'll see you soon.

Blessings,
Linda

Mystery

I love a good mystery. You will find them standing in neat rows on my bookshelves - the cozy mysteries - not a big fan of blood and gore.What could be better on a gloomy, chilly afternoon than to curl up with a cup of tea and Agatha?

I also love puzzles, and the two go hand in hand it seems to me. Slowly and carefully the pieces come together until the picture begins to take shape. I hope you won't be shocked when I tell you I sometimes cheat. It's true. Sometimes I look at the back of the book! Shocking, I know.

My excuse is, I want to see how the mystery is plotted out through the pages. However, more often I just don't want my favorite character to be the bad guy or, worse yet, get bumped off. If everything looks okay, I can continue reading - happy in the knowledge that he or she didn't do it or is safe.

Having said that, I am trying not to cheat because the truth is, it takes all the "zing" out of the mystery when I already know all the answers.

Beth Moore said something this morning (via video) that resonated deeply in this mystery lovers heart. She was talking about our attempts to figure out the scriptures - and in the process figure out the mind of God. There are mysteries hidden in the pages of my Bible I long to unravel. Sometimes things just don't add up, and I want to make them come out right. I'm afraid it will all fall apart if I don't get it all set in order - everything neatly tied up.

"You can study scripture the rest of your life and never have it figured out," she said. 

My obsessive-compulsive little self sighed deeply and relaxed. It's alright if I don't figure it all out. It was never meant to be that way. I read the words, and truth is revealed. I turn the page and the mystery continues. It is unending - for He is infinite. I will never plumb the depths of the mystery of who He is.

It doesn't make me sad. It makes me smile. Not every mystery must be solved - not in the here and now anyway. My God is so rich, so deep, so wide, so high - I can never reduce Him to my own limited understanding.

But He gives me enough - yes, more than enough. He calls me to seek and find, and He is there. He repeats the invitation and there is more. On and on it goes until one day everything will be revealed. For now, He gives me all I need - and so much more.

 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Deuteronomy 29:29

"Then the Angel I saw astride sea and land lifted his right hand to Heaven and swore by the One Living Forever and Ever, who created Heaven and everything in it, earth and everything in it, sea and everything in it, that time was up—that when the seventh Angel blew his trumpet, which he was about to do, the Mystery of God, all the plans he had revealed to his servants, the prophets, would be completed."
Rev. 10:5-7

Blessings,
Linda 

The picture is Patricia's. You can read her beautiful posts and see her amazing pictures here.

Dreaming Dreams

"Will you pray?" It was a dream she whispered months ago, one she faithfully took before the One who places those very dreams in our hearts.  He has a miraculous way of making dreams come true, when our hearts are yielded to Him.

This Spring the whisper of a dream will take form in the shape of a retreat. My dear friend Deidra has gathered an amazing group of women to come together to encourage you to dream big - to share with others the dreams the Father has planted in your hearts, the ones you've hidden deep not daring to imagine they could really come true.

Just go here to find out all the details: http://jumpingtandem-ne.com/

Blessings,
Linda

Don't Worry

 “Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? If fussing can’t even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They don’t fuss with their appearance—but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?

Luke 12:25-28 (MSG)

linking to my dear friends Sandy and Deidra today:





We are getting abundant rain today, and we are so grateful for the way He cares for us.

Blessings,
Linda