What is it going to take?

What is it going to take to become the person that you have always wanted to be?

What is it going to take to leave your pain and regrets in the past so that you are able to fully embrace the joy that is singular to today?

What is it going to take to live with fearless enthusiasm and heartfelt passion?

When I was living during the darkest and loneliest days of my life, I developed an addiction.

I was in the throes of depression due to years of infertility and repeated miscarriages. I sent 5 babies to heaven when they had grown to between 12 and 20 weeks in utero. It was a time of non-stop grief, dashed hopes, and raging emotions.

In addition to being heartbroken over my circumstances … having empty arms month after month … and being in the throes of a dark and violent depression … it was then that I developed an addiction.

We are all growing older, aren’t we?

None of us is immune to the process of aging as the years pass … as the months fly by … and as the weeks disappear.

The reality of time is impossible to escape.

We are all growing older year by year ... month by month ... day by day.

As the old saying goes … “Time waits for no man.”

I think that one of my glaring weaknesses is that I tend to look back through the pages of time more often than is necessary or healthy.

My heart repeatedly flips through the memory book of yesterday … as I relive moments … savor past holidays … enjoy ordinary days … and recall the sweet sound of voices and laughter.

I pray that by your godly behavior … by your words and by your actions … by the way that you treat others … that you will leave a legacy that shouts, “One woman, who clings to Jesus, can make a difference that will leave ripples in the pool of eternity!”

If you have been reading my blog, “Joy for the Journey”, for any length of time at all, you know that my life chiefly centers around two immovable disciplines.

But today … during these last few pleasant days of April … I want to share with you some of the pleasantries that I have also incorporated into my life.

I was recently asked in an interview, “Carol, what exactly do you love the most about being a Christian?”

And, while the obvious answer quickly bubbled up in my soul and tumbled quickly across my lips, the piercing question caused the “philosophical me” to ponder its implications.

The relentless and violent lashing of Jesus’ body tore at his skin and bared his flesh to the very bone.

Holy Week encompasses the days that the Christian church sets aside to mourn the death of Jesus and to celebrate His resurrection.

It is a week of wretched betrayal, of loud hosannas, of good-bye meals, and of desperate prayer.

I have 14 children. 14 literary children that is … This week, on March 29, my 14th book was released!

Excuse me while I celebrate for a minute … Woo-Hoo! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Thank You, Jesus!!

My heart’s desire for your one, amazing life is that you are planting a glorious crop of faithfulness … of singing in the dark … and of generosity.

Do you know your calling?

Are you acquainted with your “just one thing”?

Decisions … decisions … decisions!

Sometimes decisions can get the best of me!

One thing that I have learned over the 6 decades of living with which I have been blessed is that to make wise determinations in life … I must first identify my core values.

We receive hundreds of desperate prayer requests every month asking for prayer for finances … for health … for purpose … and for children.

Many of the prayer requests are heart-breaking as people from around the world beg me to pray for release from depression … from suicidal thoughts … from loneliness … from fear and worry.

The end of February and the first days of March have always seemed like a bittersweet and silent "between" time in the calendar year.

My soul doesn’t know whether to anticipate … or to linger.

I don’t know whether to nestle in … or to prepare.

I have been hosting a lot of company lately … and I have loved every minute of it!

I have deeply enjoyed the pre-company cleaning while anticipating rich conversations, sweet times of fellowship sure to be sprinkled with both laughter and tears.