Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 25

A Broken Person

It’s easy to feel weary when you spend so much of your life as a broken person. People seldom talk about their brokenness. I know, because I spent years trying to hide all of my scars. I was fearful that people wouldn’t like me if they knew the truth about me. I’d sometimes try to cover my brokenness with razzle-dazzle good deeds. Or, I’m ashamed to say, I did my best to deflect their attention off my brokenness and onto someone else’s. And if all else failed, I hid away from everyone, not interacting with people at all. I told myself I was better off that way. Life was easier if I didn’t have to look at their perfection from my point of view. I thought I was the only one who had to deal with the ugliness of a broken life.

What a waste of time and energy.

 

Let’s tick off a few …

That’s what happened to me. [Insert taking a deep breath here] Here’s a list of some of my own broken experiences:

Came from a dysfunctional home – Broken.Was divorced after a short marriage – Broken.Experienced the suicide of a loved one – Broken.Dealt with a brain tumor and was given days to live – Broken.

Please know … the list is longer than what I offered, but my point is not to pull attention to my brokenness. My point in giving you this list is this: when you see me, you do not see any of these points. You see a woman who celebrates the life God has given her.

Don’t you think we should celebrate when we discover how to leave a place of brokenness?

Ponder the difference

The point of choosing to celebrate is that I chose healing after each bout of brokenness.

Let me list some points of restoration:

When my own children dealt with coming from divorced parents, I knew how to comfort them – Restored.Now, I am married to an amazing man who loves God – Restored.I have a heart for people who consider suicide. I can talk to them with authority and empathy, sharing my experiences – Restored.When I dealt with my own mortality and brain surgery, I experienced a closeness to God that I had never felt before – Restored.Words of Encouragement for A Broken Person

God offers strong words of encouragement to us who are broken.

He sees us in our blights …

The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.” Exodus 3:7

He promises good things …

The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Psalm 85:12

He offers protection …

indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4What We Can Expect

The sad tale is, brokenness awaits us all. If we are not in the midst of being broken, we’ve either just climbed out of a hole of despair or are will be blind-sided by an experience we didn’t anticipate. When the latter happens, allow words of comfort to surround you. Scripture and good friends are key. Let God’s words, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5) resonate in your heart. They were meant for you—not just the collective you, but you, the person reading this blog.

Who knows, maybe I was led to write this blog specifically for you to read.

Remember, you may find yourself as a broken person again. But how sweet it is to realize you can be restored, just as God restored you in the past.

 

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 Broken Person appeared first on Robin Luftig.

We Grownups Think We Know Everything

It’s amazing how we grownups think we know everything. We think we have all the answers for everyone in every situation.

Many fathers work tirelessly to provide for their families. Working outside the home as well as stay-at-home mothers often have to provide for their families as well. As a one-time single mother, I remember the stress of being the only provider as well as the need to recharge my own battery with finding who I was. It’s not easy being a grownup. Don’t think I’m coming down anyone. It’s a difficult position to be in, trying to find the balance between what is best and what is necessary.

But there’s a price to be paid for striving for wrong goals.

 

What do children think?

When you have a moment, do a search on Twitter or any social media platform for #Hatedivorce and see what comes up. My heart broke when I read all the posts from kids who wanted nothing more than a healthy home life.

It’s something to think about. You may think what you’re doing is the right thing for your family, but just listen to what the children want.

Their needs are simple.

Talk to your kids and ask them what they think. You may be surprised by their answers. I know it may be difficult but somehow do your best to work to make a living, Don’t work to destroy your life.

Then Jesus said to them, “Watch out! …Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15What 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 We Grownups Think We Know Everything appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Words in Your Head Regarding Time

Rush here. Push to get through there. Check your watch—you’re running late! If you’re like me, these were some of the words in your head regarding time; when it comes to making sure you pack your schedule and not miss a thing.

But is it the big lie?

Due to COVID19, we all needed to change how we did Life. And if you’re living in an area that has opened up a bit, you may be tempted to pack your schedule with activities you’ve been starved to return to. I understand. As a speaker, since last year my travel stopped. Before COVID-19, I was in and out of different states, visiting friends, and flying wherever I wanted. Now that is considered living life on the edge.

 

It was good, but …

Looking back, somewhere along the way I lost my sense of purpose. After my brain surgery in 2011, I remember savoring each moment because I didn’t know how many more moments were left for me. I learned to fill my time with gratitude.

The COVID-19 restrictions placed on us last year, while they were necessary, are being put on notice. I want balance again. What I want—what I need—is a sense of peace throughout the day. I’m done living vicariously through past memories. I know I can have a meaningful life if I focus on what’s necessary right now. Right in front of me.

I’m putting those words bouncing around in my head on notice. While I still have a checklist, it’s been radically modified. I am determined to enjoy today, where I am, and still plan for tomorrow.

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1e

All we have is right now—today. Retrain the words in your head regarding time. It would be a shame to rush through the day, checking off items on your list only to find tomorrow gone.

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 Words in Your Head Regarding Time appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Reading Obituaries

I follow obituaries. That’s what older people do. But recently I was rocked with what I learned from reading obituaries.

Ah, I remember her, what a shame. Or He lived a good life, bless him.

But today I read the obit of a fellow who had a crush on me in high school. He was sweet and kind, and I broke his heart as young and foolish high school girls sometimes do. Reading the summary of his life in the few paragraphs offered, I was glad to see he had found what I hoped was true love with someone else. He had grown children and grandchildren to mourn his passing.

He was a wonderful person and I hurt him. And now I will never be able to tell him I’m sorry.

It’s important to address those you have harmed. Not just for their benefit, but for yours. I had not seen this young man for over forty years and the shame of what I had done caught my breath upon reading of his death. Ironically, I would not be surprised if he had completely forgotten about me and how I had hurt him. He was a good guy, and that’s what good guys do. He had moved on. His obituary said so. His picture showed him smiling that same grin I would recognize anywhere.

Rest in peace, my friend. Please forgive me for being as self-absorbed as I was. You deserved better than what I could offer then. I’m glad you found it.

 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10.

 

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 Reading Obituaries appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Dealing With Survivor’s Guilt

How could the sun come up when I had a brain tumor? Why did birds sing even though I dealt with this horrific blow? Those were some of my thoughts when I was in the midst of dealing with Survivor’s Guilt.

I asked these questions and more when I survived surgery for my brain tumor (meningioma). While I was thrilled I came through surgery and had a pretty good prognosis, I saw clearly that Life wasn’t fair. What had I done that made God want to give me a second chance? In 2011, I had just come to the most wonderful stage in my life. My husband and I were making plans for our future and the kids were grown with the youngest in college.

Then the bottom fell out. But I was offered grace.

Processing guilt was one of my most difficult burdens to carry. Even though my surgery was ten years ago, my heart still aches when a warrior I’ve met loses their battle with a brain tumor. Most assuredly, know that my heart leaps and rejoices when I hear about MRI’s coming back clean.

But it’s looking in the eye of someone who just got the news that their cancer wasn’t getting any better that has always caused an extra pain in my heart.

 

Here’s a Secret

When preparing for God’s Best During Your Worst, I did years of research and reading. Why do bad things happen to good people?

My heart landed on the Message’s Lamentations 3:22-24, “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness!  I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.” 

Even though the tumor is gone He’s still all I’ve got left.

Tomorrow the sun will come up again, and  I thank God for what experiences I am blessed with. Don’t let dealing with Survivor’s Guilt get you down. Even today, when I see the morning I have no delusion that I am promised to see the sunset that evening. So I rejoice in what I have.

 

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 Dealing With Survivor’s Guilt appeared first on Robin Luftig.

A Marriage Between Readers and Authors

I am about to pop from excitement. February 1 launched the Blue Ridge Readers Connections, a marriage between readers and authors in the Christian community. As a reader of Christian fiction and non-fiction, ever wonder how to get in your hands on the type of book you’re looking for? The online stores are sometimes overwhelming. And the brick and mortar stores are too limited.

Here’s Your Chance

BRCC’s aim is to have readers and book clubs have a place to take their reading experience even deeper than just reading that brand new book. At BRCC, you will be able to connect with an author and interact with them. How will they do it? Check out the following:

By having different authors on the hot seat in our Facebook group each month. They will post in advance which authors will be up the week before so you, the reader can be sure to pop in to ask your questions. The authors, in turn, will answer them throughout the day. BRCC will have authors do Facebook Live sessions where they can tell you about their newest book or maybe their current project.Authors may choose to do giveaways specific to the BRRC group.Authors may look for new readers to be on their launch team for their next book.Book clubs can reach out to authors for possible facetime events on their meeting night.Authors will be posting on the BRRC group page often, even when it’s not their day so you can get to know them and possibly be the first to hear of their next project!BRCC will help you get resources from the author for your book club where they can.You, the reader, will be able to network with other readers in book clubs for ideas on how to start your own book club.Each author is listed in alphabetical order and will have quick links to pick up their newest book.

These are but a few of the perks planned so far for the BRRC. Their goal: to give you a link to authors as well as an author’s link to their readers.

The Fine Print

Are you looking for the fine print? Bottom line, what does it cost the reader? Are you ready for this …

There’s nothing … no fine print.

If that interests you, check out their Facebook group.

Why am I telling you this? Because I’m a BRRC author, and I’m dying to get to know my readers better. What did you like best about God’s Best During Your Worst? Did you find Ladies of the Fire entertaining? Are you interested in hearing about the Easter eggs in the novel? Where do we go from here?

Too many questions, but BRCC is the perfect place to ask them. If you have questions for me, I’d be happy to answer them if I can. I want to hear from you! Reach me at robin@robinluftig.com. Let’s talk stories … and the stories behind them.

 

 

 

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 Marriage Between Readers and Authors appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Leaving a Place of Brokenness

It’s so easy to become weary when you spend so much of your life broken. People seldom talk about it, but don’t you think we should celebrate leaving a place of brokenness? We may end up broken again, but how sweet it is to realize we’ve been restored. That’s what happened to me. Here’s a shortlist of my own experiences:

Came from a dysfunctional home – Broken.

Was divorced after a short marriage – Broken.

Experienced the suicide of a loved one – Broken.

Dealt with a brain tumor and was given days to live – Broken.

 

J. G. Gilbert & Robin, Lake Lavine, MI, 1958

 

 

What’s Waiting for you After Brokenness?

The list could go on, but how depressing that would be. The point of adding a  celebration is that I was healed after each bout of brokenness. Let me list some points of restoration:

When my own children dealt with coming from divorced parents, finding ways to comfort them came naturally – Restored.

I am now married to an amazing man who loves God – Restored.

My heart is sensitive toward people dealing with suicidal thoughts. I can talk to them with authority and empathy as to what they will leave behind – Restored.

When I thought I was going to die, I experienced a closeness to God that I had never felt before – Restored.

 

God Wants to Restore

God offers strong words of encouragement to us who are broken. He sees us in our blights (Ex. 3:7), He promises good things (Ps. 85:12), and He promises protection (Ps. 121:4).

Brokenness awaits us all. If we are not in the middle of being broken, we’ve just climbed out of a hole of despair or are getting ready to be blind-sided by an experience we didn’t anticipate.

Allow words of comfort to surround you. Scripture and good friends are key. Let God’s words, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5) resonate in your heart. They were meant for you—not just the collective you, but you, the person reading this blog. Who knows, maybe I was led to write this blog specifically for you as well.

 

What say you?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 Leaving a Place of Brokenness appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Ever Wonder?

Ever wonder how two people can see the same event and come away with completely different conclusions? Do you wonder why one person will blame God while the other worships him?

Do you scratch your head when you see two people afflicted with the same type of brain tumor …  one goes on to live a fulfilled life while the other one is bitter? Do you wonder why one will praise God for the outcome and the other one blames him when the outcome is the same?

Ever wonder how life can seem so easy for some and yet so incredibly difficult for others?

I wonder if God wonders, too.

 

Psalm 16:1-2

 Keep me safe, my God,
    for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
    apart from you I have no good thing.”
 

What say you?

What do you wonder about? How has 2021 started? 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 Ever Wonder? appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Interview with Melony Brown

I had a great opportunity to be interviewed by Melony Brown about surviving brain surgery and the book, God’s Best During Your Worst. Check it out.

 

Discover some of Melony’s other interviews on her website https://melonybrown.com/

Has Your Faith Been Tested by Fire?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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, robin at robinluftig dot com. 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 Interview with Melony Brown appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Getting a Do-over

Don’t laugh at me, but I love editing. It’s like getting a do-over … and who doesn’t like that?

I’m in the middle of writing the second installment to The Ladies of the Fire series. There’s Lily-Rose Pembrick, a redhead mother of two who only wants what’s best for her children. Fiona Kasey, An African-American domestic worker trying for a better life. And we mustn’t forget Sugar Bowersox, the feisty and unfiltered beauty from Kentucky who is struggling to keep her identity. The 1970s were a turbulent time, yet these ladies found their way. Not only did they make it through, but they also came out stronger than they ever imagined.

In each of their own way, they were given do-overs.

Do-overs

Do-overs. Like the time you put the jar of blueberry jam too close to the edge of the counter and a wayward book sent it sailing. Ugh. A do-over would give you the opportunity to place that jar coward the back of the counter, away from moving objects.

As Christians, our lives are to embrace a facsimile of a do-over. While we can’t erase our dialogue or change a scene-setting, we can review our actions and take any questions we have to our Heavenly Father.

English novelist Rose Tremain coined the phrase, “Life is not a dress rehearsal”. While the saying is true … that we only get one go at Life … we can gain wisdom and grace if we make a point to learn lessons along the way.

 

What Do-Overs Can Look Like

It’s not difficult to reach for a do-over:

If someone tells you that you wronged them … listen then act. (Matthew 18:15)Seek forgiveness from your Heavenly Father. (1 John 1:9)Change how you respond going forward. (Galatians 5:16)

 

Open your mind and heart to the do-over. You’ll be happy you did.

(And watch for my second installment of The Ladies series …  with the working title, The Ladies Uncover a Secret.)

 

Looking for Your Own Do-Over?

Do you feel like you don’t matter? How has 2021 started? 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 Getting a Do-over appeared first on Robin Luftig.