Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 17
October 8, 2021
My friend Christina Custodio
Through the years I’ve met several women who have rocked my world. My friend Christina Custodio is one of them. Here’s one of her latest posts. If you’re not already following her, what’s holding you back? It’s my guess you’ll fall in love with her, too.
I Can’t Feel GodOkay, this is hard for me to say right now, and it may be hard for you to know about me.
I can’t feel God.
That’s weird, right? It’s weird to me too, but I must admit that sometimes I go through this. As I was thinking about what to share with you today, I thought to myself, “I have nothing. How can I tell them that I don’t feel anything?” I then felt God speaking to my spirit, telling me to just give it to you straight. And that, as always, I’m not the only one.
So what do we do when we don’t feel God?
The benefit I have when going through this kind of thing is a foundation of faith. It doesn’t matter how I FEEL; it’s about what I know. I know that God is good. I know that I can trust Him. I know that I can look to his Word for guidance. I know that His Word is alive and active in me. I know that I will feel Him again.
It’s really nice to be on that spiritual high when we have all the feels, but the reality is that it’s not always going to be about emotion. Feelings come and go, and also, they are deceiving. So, we must stand on God’s promises. We must hang on to what we know of Him. Even when I can’t feel Him, I know He’s there. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
I believe Him.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19
Today I encourage you, regardless of how you feel, to never give up hope. You may not feel your Creator right now, but I hope you know that He is still there. He loves you, and He’s waiting for you. Nothing can separate you from His love.
He is for you.
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post My friend Christina Custodio appeared first on Robin Luftig.
October 7, 2021
Gratitude Changes Everything
We know we’re going to have a bad day or two. Most of us can handle an unplanned blip in our schedule and ride it out without a care in the world. No harm, no foul, right? But what happens when the one or two days turn into three … or four? Consider gratitude, because gratitude changes everything.
Not sold? Think of the most joy-filled people know. They always seem to have a smile on their face and a kind word to say to you, right? Dig into their past. Often, you will find great tragedy. These heartbreaking events could have destroyed them. Instead of letting circumstances run their emotions, they chose gratitude.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly . . . singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16
Let’s not allow what’s temporary to shake our forever. Gratitude can change everything . . . if we allow it to.
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Gratitude Changes Everything appeared first on Robin Luftig.
October 5, 2021
Trials and Sorrows
It’s easy to become weary when we focus on our sadness. Jesus warned us about these times in John 16:33, “… Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows …”
While taking Jesus’ words to heart, what could happen if we shifted our focus? I’m not saying ignore what’s around you, but to stop dwelling on it.
Why Sadness?If we know seasons of sadness, then, that means to have a comparison, we must also know seasons that weren’t sad. What would happen in our thought process if we realized we’ve been restored—even if it was just for a short period of time? Is there life after brokenness?
Did you come from a broken home?
Have you gone through a painful divorce?
Has life seemed so dark that suicide was a viable option?
What you’re going through may truly be an outrageously sad time. But keep reading John 16:33, because there’s more to the verse, “…But take heart, because I have overcome the world”.
Ta-Da!
There’s life after darkness! Our Heavenly Father is the source of restoration. When we give our hurts to the Ultimate Healer, it’s amazing how our view can change.
When we give our hurts to the Ultimate Healer, it’s amazing how our view can change.
Know that sadness awaits us all. Our lives are typically in one of three holding patterns:
We are in the middle of a dark situationWe just came through a difficult time and are standing in emotional sunshineWe are about to be blind-sided by an experience that can potentially rock our worldConsider this:
Sheila Walsh released a new book, Holding On When You want to Let Go. She has a way to zero in on getting past trials and sorrows.
If you came from a broken home, you can help others work through the pain experienced in their home life.
If you felt the pain of divorce and have opened your life and let in Jesus’ love, you may have a wealth of knowledge to share with those traversing oceans of unforgiveness.
If you know what it’s like to experience God’s mercy after contemplating suicide, you know better than anyone else what the sweet taste of grace is like.
Allow God to Use Your Trials and SorrowsAllow God’s words to comfort and empower you. Let Hebrews 13:5’s word, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”, resonate in your heart. Know the message from 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” is meant for you as well.
Sadness will visit us, but we don’t have to allow it to live with us.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:4
You’re not alone in your trials and sorrows. Seek God while you’re there. You may be surprised by what you see.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Trials and Sorrows appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 28, 2021
It’s a Sad Day
It’s a sad day. I tossed my flip-flops toward the back of the closet. I stood for ten minutes looking at my choice of shoes, forcing myself to accept today’s brutal reality.
It’s time. I can’t put it off any longer. I reach into the closet—to an area I haven’t visited for months. My hand runs over the tops of the hangers positioned on the lower bar. I pause, stroking the fabric. Oh, how I hate this day.
Log PantsLong pants … today I must wear long pants. I’ve been able to wear capris day after day, week after week because the warmth from the sun had caressed my legs and arms. Arms—I need to wear long sleeves, too! Ugh, can it get any worse?
Oh, this is a sad day.
Wipers WipedOn my way to the store, I had to turn on the heat instead of the AC. I flipped on the defroster to dry the heavy due on the windows from the cool night air. Wipers wiped. Warm air billowed from the vents. And the need to turn on my car’s headlights makes it impossible for me to ignore it … summer is over.
Pulling into the parking lot, a quick movement catches my eye in a grove of oak trees beside the store. I walked toward the trees, then stopped, noting the movement was accompanied by chattering. Two—no three—squirrels were scampering around and around the tree at break-neck speed. They seemed oblivious to my presence. It was as if the cool morning air had invigorated these little fellas into a raucous game of tag. If I had walked any closer to the trees, I imagined I could see them smiling.
At that moment, I stopped, reflected over other cool mornings when Dad and I watched squirrels scamper through the woods. In a flash, I remembered the smells, the feeling of the heady due, and the comfort of the long sleeves.
When had I become so enthralled with capris and flip-flops?
It’s a sad day when the time has no purpose. But today’s the first day of the season I wear long pants. And it’s the first time in a long time I’ve been blessed with a memory that reminded me of simpler times. Both reasons are worth celebrating. There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens Ecclesiastes 3.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post It’s a Sad Day appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 21, 2021
An Interview with Hannah and Stephani
It was a thrill to speak with Stephani Cook and Hannah Conway for the What’s Your Story podcast. Check it out and let me know what you think.
I love sharing my stories (and I have lots of them!) and how awesome Jesus is. Want to chat? Stop what you’re doing and drop me a line. Let’s see when we can get together. Sit back and enjoy my interview with Hannah and Stephani.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post An Interview with Hannah and Stephani appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 9, 2021
Twenty Years Ago
Twenty years ago, my children were younger and life was much easier. I was thinner and thought I had all the answers I ever needed.
And God was in control.
But on that sunny Tuesday morning, devastation visited America that day–the likes we had never experienced before. My world was rocked, and I don’t mind saying, rocked to its core.
And, I imagine yours was as well.
While I struggled to get my head around what had happened, I watched the news. And if you did as well, you could have seen two different stories.
Wringing handsMy heart ached as I watched in horror the news and saw all the happenings in New York, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. How could this be? Why was this happening? 
We were supposed to be the Good Guys. Why would people want to destroy us?
Then I saw plans of action. Firefighters, standing between lanes of traffic holding empty boots for drivers to toss donations into. A quarter, a dollar. Anything to help their fallen brothers. And I watched as people turned to God for strength.
Where are we now?I’m older and wiser (heavier, too) than I was twenty years ago. I still feel the pain this country experienced that sunny day when, out of nowhere, almost 3,000 people died in New York, Washington, DC, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The only answer I have is found in a relationship with Christ.
Please, don’t hear that as a trite answer.
God knows what is happening–even today. And he wants to bring peace to a broken world.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Revelation 21:4
As we remember that day in September twenty years ago, remember Jesus died for us and wants to dry our tears and heal our hearts.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Twenty Years Ago appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 8, 2021
Meet Brandon Adams
Years ago my path crossed with Brandon Adams, and his words have blessed me ever since. While we have never met face-to-face, over the time we’ve known one other, I’ve watched as his blog has blessed many. Here’s one of his posts from 2019 (The Value of Knowing Your Value) that rings as true today as it did when posted. You should meet Brandon Adams, too, if you’re interested in the thoughts of an inciteful “Millennial” (n.): An individual born from 1982-2004.
Thanks, Brandon.
I ran across the following meme the other day (who says the Internet is useless?):
This is an incredible quote, for it brings many of our lives into sharp relief. It went straight onto the Facebook page for my blog, for it was propulsive and illuminating, at least for me. All of a sudden, through this idea, many of the regrettable actions we take (or see taken around us) gain an interpretation they never had before.
Most of what we interpret as immaturity are unhealthy attempts to prove our value.An office worker who stirs up drama is trying to prove his value by bringing others down.
The family member who deflects or passes the buck when called out on a mistake does not realize that she can be valuable and wrong at the same time.
That one person who turns every conversation towards themselves is too busy securing their own value to see that of others.
I’ve just described all of us somewhere. Like a dog chasing its tail, we are all trying to capture something that could not escape us if we tried. We cannot attain what is already ours.
Seeing our Value more clearlyBeing made in the image of God carries incredible value. We are shredded and dirtied by sin, lost in a haunted house called the human heart, yet pursued by the Cross’ offer of redemption. God went to great lengths to open a way to salvation, all because he calls us valuable.
His ways not only clear us of sin’s sentence, but free us to live wisely in the practical realm every day by revealing our value. When one understands his value in God, they are protected from having to prove it. Compulsions no longer drive them. They no longer seek their identity in sports, hobbies, political causes, or cruel and legalistic religion. They can admit errors, break addictions, set boundaries, forgive, help, lead, and love. Since they’ve had their core questions about themselves answered, they can start focusing on others’ questions instead.
What stands in our way?This is impossible with the world. They’re not even trying to hide their self-hatred anymore. More openly each day, they celebrate our supposed insignificance in the cosmos, place higher value on animal species than themselves, and embrace pornography. Suicide and self-centeredness are epidemic. Satan loves to claim you have no value, then propose an endless series of hoops to prove otherwise.
God cures all that. And only he can.
Come to Christ and let him break your chains. Whether you are new to him or part of the old guard, there is always something to be mended. He welcomes all comers with open arms, and writes new stories where there were only scribbles before.
I’m glad you tuned in today. If you found this post to be of value, please feel free to share it on social media. Thanks a bunch!
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Meet Brandon Adams appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 7, 2021
Deadly Conditions
When mining coal during the 20th century, often a caged canary was taken into the depths of the mines along with the miners. The reason? These birds were sensitive to carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly gas devoid of color, taste, or smell, that often formed in the mines. When the caged 
canary stopped singing, they knew they were in trouble. If a dead bird was found in the bottom of the cage, it meant the miners needed to leave immediately–deadly conditions were at hand.
As we watch the political and social banter, we need to take caution. Pointing fingers and one-upping one another is taking front and center stage, while pressing issues such as the safety of our children and the security of our future has been left untouched.
In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit. Judges 21:25
Hearts are breaking. Families are suffering. Finances are collapsing. Children learn that the person who shouts the loudest is right–never mind seeking Truth.
The Clock is TickingLet’s look around where we are. Pause. Don’t focus on what you’re getting ready to say, look around. Are these dangerous conditions we’re living in how? Is this world’s canary still singing, or is laying in the bottom of its cage? Please, let’s heed the issues at hand. Let’s seek Truth while we can still recognize it.
We still have time.
What say you?What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post Deadly Conditions appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 2, 2021
We’re Not Made to Isolate
We are relational. God made us that way. We’re not made to isolate. Relationships are spoken about in Ecclesiastes 4. While this passage is often spoken about marriage, it can also describe a true friendship.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, 12
It Doesn’t MatterFriendships like these have no boundaries. They cross state lines and they are not ruled by age. You can have a relationship with a good friend that started when you were young, or the friendship can be recent. But you know when God brings a person into your life.
Care for it
We must all take care of our friends. If we’ve offended them, make amends and ask how you can make it right again.
A good friend of mine, Tammy Whitehurst, interviewed Shelly Brown on the topic of friendship. Check it out. Shelly Brown can currently be found in social media. Watch for her website to go live!
My first novel, Ladies of the Fire is about friends like these.
Want to see how it all began?
Can a woman on the run find herself again?
Ladies of the Fire brought us to the late 1960s as we met the newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick reeling as she fled Lincoln, Nebraska, with her children. Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she could get her hands on at the family bank, she left the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind. Exhausted from driving all night, she stopped in Applegate, Ohio, and decided to start a new life on Norwood Street. There, she met Fiona Kasey, an African-American no-nonsense housekeeper/companion to an elderly white woman, and Sugar Bowersox, a Southern spitfire who has lost herself in motherhood.
Together, they enjoyed Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams were spoken and secrets revealed. As they embraced a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose began thinking her past could finally be laid to rest—until someone ended up dead.
The post We’re Not Made to Isolate appeared first on Robin Luftig.
September 1, 2021
A Heavy Heart Isn’t Always Bad
I’ve come to realize a heavy heart isn’t always bad.
Over the past few weeks I have wept, as have many of you, for the people in Afghanistan. Many want to leave but cannot. Several have been able to leave, but for their own reasons, have chosen to stay.
I was reminded of the time when Jesus entered Jerusalem.
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
Luke 19:41-42
Let us not be afraid of weeping over what breaks the heart of Jesus. Remember, a heavy heart isn’t always bad.
What say you?
What do you wonder about? Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.
Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.
The post A Heavy Heart Isn’t Always Bad appeared first on Robin Luftig.
