Dear Veteran. Dear God.
by Karen Friday
A Letter of Thanks
Dear Veteran,
Soon we’ll be celebrating something important in history. It’s significant. It’s you. Void of your presence, we the people, would be despairingly weak and open to continued attacks by our enemies.
You see, we need you. We believe in you. We are proud to deem you worthy of our respect.
To warriors who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who remain. Those who are wounded in body and spirit. You epitomize bravery in our eyes.
Soldiers valiant in honor and duty. Serving in war and peace. Our fellow countrymen—our Veterans.
Hand on chest or in salutation, we raise our voice to echo your voice:
November 5, 2015 at 9:24 am | Uncategorized
You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling
By Karen Friday
Love rode off into the sunset. People. Belief systems. Lofty imaginations. Endearing lines from a romance story.
Many times I, too, saddled up to run away. What was I afraid of?
As long as I can remember, I’ve questioned love. Was it intended for me? What substantiates the real thing? I wasn’t sure.
Since love was uncertain and on shaky ground, I formed a bubble around myself—a safety net to protect.
I enjoy bubbles. Be it the children’s class at church or a party, I cannot keep from retrieving the wand for effervescence of bubbli-ness (Is this a word? No matter, I like it).
But fragile circles of soapy liquid don’t float forever. They always meet their destiny—floor, furniture, blade of grass, tree, or human. Then burst. And so did mine.
I had bought and cherished the wrong view of love. The one that uses the affection in loose terms. Expressing sentiments for a herd of things from people to food, from possessions to sports teams.
October 29, 2015 at 9:08 am | Uncategorized
That Old Time Religion
By Karen Friday
“It will take us all to heaven.”
God Speaks
Ya’ll know how the Lord Almighty spoke to me at the beach this summer and on a trip to the mountains. Sweet spiritual gems and lessons from God in the classrooms of life.
He wants to reveal Himself to us. To be known.
A recent visit to a Tennessee theme park was no exception. Beautiful sun-shiny day with pumpkins, autumn leaves, skee-ball, and down-home food.
God met me there. The ever-present way of illustrating His truths wherever I go.
Top Picks
My husband Mike and I discussed a favorite moment from the day. A carousel ride came in at #1 for me. That’s how I roll. I’m the thrill seeker of the family. (People, I’m a loose cannon that must be held back.)
October 22, 2015 at 10:30 am | Uncategorized
I’m a Christian. I Mess Up. Me Too.
Ladies retreat photo booth with Sarah, a youth pastor’s wife. “No More Pretending: Becoming Authentic….”
By Karen Friday
I raised my hand and announced, “Me too!”
Sugar and spice and everything nice had become my motto. Never been a fan of snakes and snails but fond of puppy dog tails. I think we should start a petition to move puppy dog tails to the girl’s list. Who’s with me?
Willingness to admit me too for a gamut of everything nice pleasures; pumpkin cheesecake ice cream, boots, books, chick-flicks, and chai tea latte. Do you like those things? Well, me too.
Me too never came easy for the tougher issues of life. I preferred to take the secretive route. No one needs to know.
Truth is, I’m a me too person in every way.
Why do I try to convince myself it is better not to speak up? Not to confess or admit weaknesses and vulnerabilities. I have weak spots. Sweet spots and not-so-sweet spots.
October 15, 2015 at 9:11 am | Uncategorized
Thoughts From a Pastor’s Wife on Clergy Appreciation
By Karen Friday
A Cheerleading Story
“We’ve got spirit, yes we do. We’ve got spirit, how bout you?”
To be a spirit girl would be so cool. Therefore, I tried out for cheerleader in high school.
After the first round, it came down to three of us vying for two available spots. Yours truly was the one nixed. While I was disappointed, honestly, the other two girls were far better at rah-rah stuff—flips, jumps … everything. (Marnita and Belinda, you girls rocked!)
Wendi, my sister who is ten years younger, grew up blossoming in dance and gymnastics classes. She was a shoo-in for cheerleader.
I’m my husband’s biggest cheerleader. His cool-spirit-girl. It’s a place I’m blossoming and it rocks!
October 8, 2015 at 10:01 am | Uncategorized
Peace With Super Powers
By Karen Friday
“I’m praying for you to have peace which surpasses all understanding.”
My heart meant well. I have talked and prayed about this kind of peace umpteen times for friends and loved ones.
But it had become my go-to thing to say. What a good pastor’s wife should say. For me, it had turned trite. Yet, I was about to discover it goes much deeper and is more substantial than I could have dreamed.
This time, I was saying it to Cory. My friend who was facing surgery the next day.
I’m typing these words on my phone as I sit in the hospital’s surgical waiting room. My husband, who is Cory’s pastor, is here along with her husband and other family members. We are waiting.
I have read about this peace in the Bible. Honestly, I’ve never totally got it. I just knew that if it surpasses all understanding, it must be good. The best peace available.
October 1, 2015 at 8:55 am | Uncategorized
The Sky’s Not The Limit
Sunset from my back yard
By Karen Friday
“Oh, Mommy look! What a boot-ful sky.”
Mesmerized and Hypnotized
I’ve been dazzled by the sky since I was a little girl. My mother conveys how I noticed beauty as a child—when I looked up. An enchantment that started long before I could enunciate the word beautiful.
My adoration of the sky has never wavered but, if anything, has grown. Sunsets and sunrises captivate my eye’s attention. A painter’s pallet of vivid orange and pink is an absolute favorite. Throw blues and purples in the mix and it’s hypnotizing.
William Shakespeare is noted as saying, “eyes are the windows to our souls”—it has never been truer for me than during sky-moments.
September 24, 2015 at 8:47 am | Uncategorized
What God Taught Me in the Mountains
By Karen Friday
Stay there. Stand in that spot while I do this.
Last month I shared a blog article about my family’s trip to the beach. This week I journeyed to the great Smoky mountains of Tennessee where God spoke to me in real and wondrous ways.
Three high school friends embarked on an annual girls trip. Pictured; me, another Karen, and Teresa—yes, Teresa was outnumbered by Karens. We smiled and laughed. Became teary and cried. Chatted and deeply talked. Shopped and bought. Worked (a little) and played (a lot). Discussed God’s Word and prayed.
The mountainous backdrop of a Gatlinburg cabin became our getaway home for three days. (Former employer and friends, Charlie and Terri, graciously provide their vacation cabin.)
September 17, 2015 at 10:13 am | Uncategorized
Am I Lovable? A Storyline Video By Karen Girl Friday
There were two things I questioned as a child:
Is God real?
Am I lovable?
Watch this video to discover my answers. There is power in story.
© 2015 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
September 10, 2015 at 9:35 am | Uncategorized
America’s Desperate Need for a Great Leader
By Karen Friday
A substantial part of a nation’s success rises and falls on its leadership.
Admittedly, I have a love-hate relationship with several things in life. Technology is my friend until it’s not functioning properly, then it’s my worst enemy. Pure joy describes my sentiments for particular foods. Yet, they can turn against my body at any moment through an allergy or health issue.
I’ve grown weary of politics—love little, hate most. However, there’s a need as an American and believer of Christ to be involved, take a stand, have an active voice, and pray over my voting choices—and for goodness sake—to vote (which I never take lightly).
If politics are functioning properly for us, we love it. When the reverse is true, we loathe it.
The old adage to never talk about religion or politics is absurd. If anything should be discussed, it should be our beliefs and particularly our spiritual beliefs to the utmost.
September 3, 2015 at 8:41 am | Uncategorized