Life Archives - Finding Your Path To Freedom

Genuine Love

Published on February 13, 2023

This morning I’m remembering my grandmother. When the topic of love of family crops up, Grandmartie is always at the top of my list.

My fondest and earliest memory is hearing her sweet voice singing a lullaby to me. Her arms enfolded me as she slowly tipped us back and forth in her rocking chair.

She loved my visits to her home. Delight spread across her face when I pranced into her kitchen after bounding up her back stairs. I eagerly walked into her first hug.

Living within walking distance of her home made it easy for me to see her often. Sometimes during our visits, when she had to tend to chores, I explored the attic, trying on old clothes and playing with her childhood dolls.

Grandmartie’s phone calls to my home always seemed to arrive at the perfect moment. Our conversations flowed easily.

As a rather shy teen, I received some wise advice from her that remains in my mind. “Gail, whenever you can’t think of something to say, just smile.” Not surprisingly, smiling at people comes easily to me. Most often the person smiles back. In that moment I see pleasure, and sometimes hope, in their eyes.

When I moved to my college dorm, she wrote beautiful and descriptive letters that left me feeling as if she were sitting beside me.

The most precious treasure Grandmartie deposited in my heart were her words about Jesus. Each time she talked about Him, her eyes sparkled. From early years, she created in me a desire to know Jesus like she did.

During my sophomore year, when I made my personal decision to invite Jesus into my life, Grandmartie is the one I called. Our hearts grew even closer.

When I began my career as a missionary, God revealed His plan for my life: to lead others to the Savior. That’s what Grandmartie had been doing her whole life. When she and my grandfather moved into a retirement home, she found many more people to love, and encourage, and introduce to Jesus.

After my grandfather passed away, her life remained full. Even when dealing with the inconvenience of macular degeneration and the eventual move to a care center, her sweet spirit and loving smiles continued.

A few months before her 100^th birthday, God called her Home. Though we can no longer see each other, I will always remember the sound of Grandmartie’s lullabies and the love she poured into my life that drew me to her Savior.

During this month of love, I hope you will take time to remember the person who first filled your heart with love for Jesus.

“I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love.

With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”

(Jeremiah 31:3)

New Life out of Tragedy

Published on November 4, 2021

For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong in my family.

This unexpected thought came to my mind because of a tragedy in our family: the loss of my young cousin, Ashley, in Oregon. That day the temperature was 116 degrees, and it appears she succumbed to the intense heat.

Sorrow flowed through our hearts. As we wrestled with the reality of Ashley’s absence, God began to bring about changes in our family.

We craved to know how each of us was coping. More frequent communication and deeper expressions of love flowed between us. Since I live in Orlando, lengthy phone calls ensued and texts flew back and forth. I also expressed love for them through my cards and letters.

When I flew to Oregon to see them, we all gathered at Cary’s home. The sun was bright. Salmon and fresh-picked corn sizzled on Cary’s grill while we sat together in his beautiful backyard, surrounded by towering fir trees and summer dahlias. A beautifully-crafted waterfall produced a soothing sound as we engaged in easy conversation sprinkled with laughter. My heart soared.

The following week, I sat under the patio umbrella in Blair and Peggy’s backyard. We enjoyed a free-flowing conversation for several hours like three friends who were used to being together. A few days later, Justin and I met for lunch to share personal things that mattered to us. Justin’s text warmed my heart. “I had a great time catching up at lunch. I’m glad we were able to have that time together.”

The day before my flight back to Orlando, the unusual thought popped into my mind: I feel like I belong in this family now. When I shared my feelings with Cary and Blair, they were puzzled. Both responded, “You’ve always been part of the family!”

That’s when I realized a deep change had taken place inside of me. When the others pulled me into their daily lives, I felt closer to them and more willing to express my feelings and emotions. In return, they became more open and honest with me.

Cary calls me once a week. Before I left town, Blair said, “Please keep calling me. I’m not good at initiating, but I enjoy talking to you.” Justin and I want to find a mutual time to talk together on Zoom.

This kind of closeness may already be a part of your family life; for us it’s a new era. God planned to bring new life out of our tragedy. Because of my personal experience, I understand in a deeper way why God gave us this instruction:

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

“Family togetherness” is at the top of my thanksgiving list. What will you thank God for this month? Post your comment below.

Soaring Free

Published on May 8, 2021

Many of you know that God placed a passion in my heart to grow in my new freedom and help others live in freedom too.

Here’s a powerful story from my study Bible that deepened my determination to keep soaring free! Perhaps you will be impacted as well.

“A farmer once found a baby eagle and raised it with his chickens. The eagle learned to live as the chickens did, never attempting to fly. When a bird-watcher saw the eagle, he bought it from the farmer and attempted to teach it to fly. But the eagle would only run around and flap its wings like a chicken. Finally, the man took the bird to a high mountain. ‘You are an eagle,’ he said. ‘You should fly.’ And he threw the bird off the side of the mountain. At first the eagle cried out in fear, but then it spread its wings and soared into the sky.

“Perhaps that eagle sometimes flew over the old farmyard and missed the chickens. But it never returned to live like them, because now it knew what it meant to be an eagle.

“In a similar way, many believers do not fully understand who they are in Christ. As a result, they miss the incredible blessings God has intended for His people. In a spiritual sense, they never learn to soar free above all creation.

“What would it be like to see ourselves as our loving Father sees us? God says, ‘Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!’ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We can see ourselves as God does by exercising our faith as we read the Bible, believing what it says about God and what it says about us.

“Isn’t it time to stop listening to what others say about [us] and start listening to God?” *

What thoughts ran through your mind as you read this narrative? I’d love to hear from you! Leave your comment below.

Slices of Time

Published on February 29, 2020

What is the hardest thing for you to give up on a daily basis?

For me, it’s my time. Since I’m a planner, it’s a continual challenge to release time to spend with people and get involved with things outside my agenda. In the past, I gave more priority to my projects than to people.

However, in recent years God showed me the importance of sometimes letting go of my neatly-arranged plan so I can enjoy opportunities to spend time with others. Even when it’s only a slice of time, the beauty and the memories that fill my life make it worth it. Time with people is more often at the top of my list now.

This life-changing lesson from God produced a willingness and a desire to build a deeper and more meaningful relationship with Uncle Miles. When my Aunt Elia passed away, his life changed drastically. Mine did, too. Her death was one of many cascading illnesses and death among my family within a short period of time. In my sorrow, I cried out to God, “Father, please don’t take Uncle Miles yet. I can’t say goodbye to anyone else right now. Please let me have more time with him.”

God gave me six years. Those were the most memorable years in our relationship, because Uncle Miles and I became close friends, not just family. Our friendship filled the empty places in both of our lives. We began calling each other every weak—he from the west coast and I from the east side of the country. We discussed family memories and happenings, but he always wanted to know about me. And I asked about the highlights and downsides of his life at the retirement center.

It didn’t matter that he was in his 90’s. He stayed engaged in my life. Each year in the fall, I traveled to Oregon for two weeks to see family and friends. I made time to visit Uncle Miles often, talk on the phone in between visits, and enjoy some meals together. We also started a tradition of taking a day trip together, usually drinking in the beauty of the Colombia River gorge and enjoying the majesty of Mt. Hood. Though hindered by macular degeneration, he remained in charge, cautioning me and making sure I didn’t miss any turns.

One year, after delivering him back to the center following our trip, we sat in his apartment and talked some more. Words full of encouragement and mutual admiration and affirmation flowed between us.

Finally, we stood and hugged each other good-bye. “Honey, thanks for spending time with me. Really enjoyed your visit and especially our trip today.”

Knowing that I was leaving the next day, we looked into each other’s eyes with love. I believe he knew he would never see me again. I was unaware. Perhaps that’s why God prompted me to say, “Uncle Miles, I’ll see you next time . . . but if not, I’ll see you in heaven.”

Uncle Miles died less than three months later, not from an illness, but unexpectedly one early morning at the age of 97. It’s been three years, and I still cry about his absence at times. Yet, I have no regrets because God showed me how to give up my time more freely—even small slices of time—so I wouldn’t miss the chance to build memories with my uncle that I’ll cherish forever.

What memories have you been able to build with a special person because you adjusted your plan and spent more time with them?

Life Through Loss:
Facing Your Pain, Finding Your Purpose
Available at Amazon Link