Robin Gilbert Luftig's Blog, page 28

Our Family’s Sugar Bowl

A green sugar bowl sat unimposingly on the table. Its purpose was to make life better by offering up the sweetness needed for a cup of coffee … a bowl of cereal … or a bit of fruit.  It wasn’t all that attractive. It was plain and unadorned. But to me, our family’s sugar bowl’s value is far greater than any other piece of china I own.

This sugar bowl sat on our family’s kitchen table for as long as I can remember. The table coverings changed from Country Check to Simple Linen. The kitchen table even changed from chrome and flecked laminate to a much more civilized walnut. But it wasn’t the style or the material that the sugar bowl rested upon that was so special. It was the conversations that were held over that vessel of sweetness that remain with me … the memories of how life changed and how those experiences happened around that simple piece of shaped glass.

 

Events that Shaped My Life

Like the time my dad asked me, a four-year-old, to sit in his lap on Saturday morning. He wanted to tell me that life just wasn’t working out between him and Mom; that he was going to live somewhere else. While I sat there, summoning up my few years of maturity, I remember how I sobbed into his shoulder while I asked if he would ever come back to visit me. Then, through his own tears, he pulled me close. I still remember him wiping away tears from his eyes as he said he changed his mind. He wasn’t going anywhere.


Then there were all the times when I would sit at the table that held the sugar bowl, waiting for Dad to come home from working his job at the factory. He’d pour a cup almost full of milk then add a splash of coffee and spoonsful of sugar from that bowl so we could share our special coffee and talk about Life. No topics were off-limits for us. Several times I remember him taking off his glasses, rubbing his eyes, and tell me that life would be difficult for me. I seemed to have the knack of not seeing life as black and white … but I saw life’s experiences in shades of gray.


Or the many times when Mom moved the sugar bowl aside so she could make dozens of fruit pies, apple dumplings, or cookies. She would expertly reach her spoon into the white sugar to sprinkle glistening crystals atop each piece of homemade heaven.


Sadly, the day came when our family’s sugar bowl and a strong cup of coffee occupied that maple table when Dad told me that he and Mom were, in fact, splitting this time and I needed to pick who I would stay with. I remember the pain from that conversation and how no amount of sweetness offered up from that sugar bowl could console me.

Years later after Dad died, I remember bringing our family’s sugar bowl home with me so it could sit on my own table. And it would once again be present with life’s pain came in shades of gray, just as Dad had warned.

 

Real Sweetness

For too many years my view of Christ was just like that of my sugar bowl. While I looked the other way, turning to resentment and cynicism to help me in life, he was always there witnessing all the good as well as bad that was happening in my life. Faithfully, he offered up a sweetness for my broken spirit whenever it held bitterness; all I needed to do was accept it. He was ever-patient, offering comfort from the unpleasantness that comes with life.

John 10:10 shares, “… I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.”

Now that is what I call a real sweetness.

That sugar bowl is still in my home, but now in a place of honor and safety. It reminds me that no matter what happens, life’s bitterness can be dealt with properly with a filling of the sweetness that comes from a relationship with Christ.

 

What About You?

Is there something you brought from your childhood that gives you a sense of who you are and where you came from? It may be as simple as our family’s sugar bowl or it may be something else. Don’t be afraid to embrace the memories that shaped you into who you are. And never forget, no matter how many experiences you remember, also remember you’re a child of The King.

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 Our Family’s Sugar Bowl appeared first on Robin Luftig.

Christmas Reads for 2020

Looking to start a new tradition? Here are some great novellas to add to your Christmas reads for 2020:

Red Pen Redemption

Lori Roeleveld’s book, Red Pen Redemption asks … would you be bold enough to challenge God with your life?

Helen Bancroft did in Lori Roeleveld’s, Red Pen Redemption. It’s a story of Helen’s self-justification and self-indulgence. She is both a hero and villain. I loved her and hated her at the same time. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake her by her shoulders, then I wanted to hug her close to protect her. Ironically, it wasn’t until I was closing in to the end of the story that I realized I had seen myself—my own life—reflected in parts of this story.

Roeleveld’s use of scripture soothed, guided, and enticed me as a reader. She also expertly offered example after example of how Helen tried to look at God in the proverbial face, only to blink and turn away. Just as I had tried in the past, and if you dare to read this, you may see yourself, too.

I rarely give five stars ratings. I think five-stars are reserved for mothers to give their children. But this book has what it takes to change lives. A tall order for a piece of fiction. Lori Roeleveld’s, Red Pen Redemption is slated to be a beloved Christmas Season staple for years to come.

 

The Ornament Keeper

Award-winning author Eva Marie Everson wraps up a Christmas story of hope, love, and forgiveness just in time for the holidays. a contemporary Christmas novella, features Felicia and Jackson Morgan who are spending their first Christmas apart after twenty years of marriage. But a lifetime of gifted ornaments helps Felicia piece together the story of their marriage and the one mistake of unforgiveness she made before they said, “I do.”

As she unwraps each ornament, she recounts events that impacted her life.

Can these memory-filled ornaments reunite this family before Christmas? Only time will tell.

 

 

A Sassy Creek Christmas

Shelia Stovall’s newest novella will entertain you for hours!

There aren’t enough folks in Sassy Creek to make up a parade. And yet Ovaleta Mayhew is planning one.

Ovaleta wants to raise funds to help pay eight-year-old Ava’s medical bills. People want to help but unexpected conflict erupts—leaving Ovaleta to regret her impulsive action to charge parade entry fees.

Pastor Seth, is in love with Lila, a nurse he met at the Nashville cancer center. He wonders what she’ll think of Sassy Creek and his dwindling congregation. He can’t compete with the bright lights of Nashville, but he knows God’s called him to Sassy Creek.

The parade is set to start at the Wide Spot Country Store, but without a miracle, it’s doubtful there will ever be a Sassy Creek Christmas parade.

And if you hurry, the download of A Sassy Creek Christmas is free!

Treat yourself!

Treat yourself with new Christmas reads for 2020. Here are three stories from talented authors that will stay with you for years. And once you read them, we can talk about how they grabbed your heart.

 

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.

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Depression and Christian Service

NOTE: If you deal with medically diagnosed depression, talk to your doctor regarding any changes in your condition.

When God nudged me into a formalized type of Christian service, I thought he had made a mistake. It seemed unlikely that he would use someone with such a sinful past like mine. I know His grace and forgiveness are perfect—I had a place secured in heaven—but service seemed unlikely. Besides, I thought my emotional scars were too great.  Additionally, I struggled with physical side effects from brain surgery. It was easy to question the nudge. Depression and Christian service seemed almost unlikely, but was it possible–Christian service from a brain-broken sinner?

But I prayerfully accepted the call, hoping my heart would experience “the peace that surpasses all understanding”. I prepared my initial talk, wrapped my audience in prayer, and readied myself to make my Heavenly Father proud. The time finally came for me to put on my best smile and walk in front of ladies who wanted to hear what I had to say.

The presentation went splendidly. Afterward, I received hugs and encouraging comments. When I returned home, however, I climbed under the covers, wishing to disappear.

Depression had found my heart

My anxiety-based depression was rooted in feelings of inadequacy and the remnants of brain trauma—rich fodder for the Enemy to rob me of the peace offered in serving Christ.

Depression is nothing new for God’s servants. Many of Scripture’s heavy hitters suffered from it. Jonah felt so bad after being in Nineveh that he asked God to, “take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” (Jonah 4:3). And don’t forget Elijah. After he won an incredible battle against the prophets of Baal, he prayed, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” (1 Kings 19:4).

Depression can be paralyzing, but don’t be helpless when it hits

If Depression strikes you, here are a few suggestions to get you over the hump:

Remember Who You Are. Guard against being captivated by your own willingness to serve. Instead, focus on the Who you are serving. James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.” Ponder Matthew 10:29, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.” It’s vital to stay focused.
Allow Yourself to Feel Your Emotions. God created you as an emotional being. To deny that is to deny God. When depression rushes in—as difficult as it is may be—thank Him for it. Apostle Paul addressed this very point. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).
Trust Truth More Than Feelings. Acknowledge your feelings—your depression—but recognize it for what it is: only a feeling. Emotions come and go, but Truth is rock-solid. Find some bet-your-life-on-it Truths that stand the test of time. Consider Truths like Hebrews 13:5 (NIV), “I will never leave you nor forsake you,” or 1 Peter 1:6 (NIV), “… though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
Seek Godly Other Godly Servants. Jesus and Apostle Paul served with others. They understood the need for sharing. We can model their examples. Ask God to bring women who also have hearts for service into your life. Find your own rendition of an Aaron and Hur team. (Exodus 17:12, NIV) shows dedication in serving together, “…Aaron and Hur held his [Moses] hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset.”
Prepare for Depression Before It Strikes. It’s difficult to recognize depression while you’re in its grip. If you are prone to suffer from bouts of depression, be proactive, and prepare for it. Jot favorite verses on 3×5 cards and have them ready when depression begins to steal your peace. In John 14:1, Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me.” Use scripture like the sword it is.
Journal on the personal promises God’s given you and speak them back to Him. These reminders can be lifelines when doubt begins to creep in.

We Must Stand Guard

We are all instructed to “guard your heart …” (Proverbs 4:23), but those who serve Christ need to be especially diligent in doing so.

While depression is a powerful emotion, it need not own us. It’s only with God’s divine protection that I made it through my sinful past. That alone gives me a reason to rejoice. Additionally, I accept my physical limitations related to my brain surgery as another point of praise.

 

What About You?

When depression hits, acknowledge it, tell a friend, and get more rest. This is the time to immerse yourself in scripture. I write on my 3X5 card: “My God says he will never leave me nor forsake me.” That card stays with me. I also write other cards. They have said, “My God says he has a plan for my life” and “My God cries when a sparrow falls, yet he loves me even more”.

What can you write on a card to get you through depression? The dark feelings will pass, but God’s love, promises, and purpose for your life are eternal. Don’t let depression end your Christian service.

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.

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Never Leave Blessings Behind

Years ago, I gained a slice of wisdom on how to never leave blessings behind. And to you, dear friend, I pass this bit of wisdom onto you.

First, you get a jar and lid.

Yes, a jar.

The plainest, non-descript jar you can find. Like a Mason canning jar. Place the empty jar in a conspicuous place. Maybe on the counter in the kitchen … on a table in the entryway … or on the mantel in the den. But place it where you will see it every day. Beside the jar, place a pad of paper and pen. When something good happens, make a note of it and put it in the jar. On New Year’s Eve, pour out all the slips of paper in front of you and reflect over each good thing — each blessing — that was written on those slips of paper.

It’s just that easy.

We keep our jar on a table in our entry. I pass it every day and have watched as the stack of papers has grown. Through our move … through my retirement … and even through COVID19.

On New Year’s Eve, my husband and I have our yearly tradition. After a dinner of cheeses, meats, and fruits, we pull out our calendars and try to project the upcoming year. We schedule birthdays, anniversaries, and other special holidays we hold dear. But since we’ve added our mason jar of blessings, we’re able to fondly review the year as well.

Every year about this time my husband and I get excited wondering what good things happened that we had forgotten. And every year we have our, “oh, I remember that!” moments.

It’s Your Turn

How about you? Are you game? There’s still time.

Find your own jar. Place it in a place you will see every day. Leave a notepad and pen beside it and leave notes when something sweet happens. It doesn’t need to be anything earth-shaking, but something that made you smile. Did you make a new friend? Maybe you found a new restaurant and had the best risotto ever. Write it down.

None of us know what 2021 will bring. Who could have foreseen all the happenings of 2020? That’s why we should never leave blessings behind. But we’ve all experienced something good. Sometimes we just need a reminder.

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.

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Unity … or Else from Beauty Beyond Bones

Unity … Or use is a great article from Beauty Beyond Bones. You won’t see this on social media because it’s been deleted. And follow her. She’s fantastic.

 

UNITY…OR ELSE

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Ladies Uncover a Secret Progress Update

I just made progress on Ladies Uncover a Secret! So far I’m 12% complete on the Writing phase.

Fiona Kasey-Boyer’s life takes a turn. She married Derrick Boyer and moved from Norwood Street in Applegate. But her heart keeps pulling her back to the secrets in Applegate that shaped her life. To be the wife and mother she strives to be, she must bring light to the dark corners of her past.

Ladies Uncover a SecretPhase:Writing12%Get Book Updates

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I’ve Missed You!

It’s been a wacky, crazy Summer and Fall. Let me tell you why I’ve been MIA.

As many of you know, last Spring I launched God’s Best During Your Worst.(March, 2020, Bold Vision Books). It was a labor of love that challenged the reader to trust God during their darkest times imaginable. That’s what I had to do when a sudden seizure led to the discovery of a brain tumor and a grim diagnosis–I was given ten days to put my affairs in order.I

And we all know what that means.

Journaling about the brain tumor and following ten days help set the stage to encourage readers how  to seek God in their darkest times … because he’s there. I invite readers—no, challenges them—to enter the new depths of peace that await them.

Launching a book brings a roller coaster ride of emotions with it. I was happy that the time had finally come to publish, since I’d been writing God’s Best for over seven years. So I was very happy to know that God had prepared the manuscript … and me … for its unveiling to the world. I’m thrilled with the result. The book was well-received and even won Advanced Writers & Speakers Association’s 2020 Golden Scroll’s First Place in Christian Living. Yes, that was a highlight of my year! A companion journal to God’s Best was added and the project felt complete. Satisfaction of a job well done.

I wasn’t finished.

That’s when I got busy and finished my first novel, Ladies of the Fire (August 2020, Elk Lake Publishers). Edits. More edits. re-writes and more changes.

But the story came alive. Setting in the 1960s, newly-widowed Lily-Rose Pembrick flees Lincoln Nebraska with her children, only with the cash in the house safe  Only taking the cash from the house safe and what she can get her hands on at the family bank, she leaves the recently-inherited and successful Pembrick Transportation company behind. Fate brings her to Applegate Ohio and to a house on Norwood Street, where the meets 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 enjoy Lily-Rose’s backyard fire pit, where dreams are spoken and secrets revealed. As they embrace a kinship they never would have sought, Lily-Rose begins to think her past can finally be laid to rest—until someone ends up dead.

Whew!

In the midst of writing, my husband and I decided it was time to sell our house and move into a condo. We’ve watched this building for two years and asked God if it could be in his plans for us to live there. Finally a great unit came available, so we needed to box up what we wanted to keep from our three-bedroom house and prepare to move into a condo half its size. Boxing, sorting, and selling items on Facebook Marketplace (a real gold mine if you have never used it). There was painting, tearing up flooring, and ordering new that helped prepare the new digs for a new life.

Another whew!

Then there was more.

Then came time to set up the new office. I thank God every day for our wonderful new home … but I’m exhausted.

I’m still unpacking. (Moving note: the best boxes I found to use for moving are from the liquor store. They’re a perfect size to carry and are built to carry weight.) I’ve alphabetized all my books and am still setting up the electronics plus trying to figure out good Zoom angles. But I think I’ve turned the corner.

If I seem a bit frazzled, please offer me grace.

I’ve missed you all and look forward to writing to you again. I have a new view from my office window that I hope will give me direction and peace. The Susquehanna River has never looked more beautiful to me. But I know I’ll need to focus.

Thanks for your patience. I know I rattled on about me and how I spent much of my summer and fall. But what about you? What have you been doing?

I’d love to hear from you.

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Interview with Coach Mark Prasek, @PJNET.TV

I had a great time with Mark Prasek during our interview. Here’s a snippet. You can find the full video on the PJNET.TV’s Facebook page or on Youtube.

Thanks again, Mark.

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Ladies of the Fire Launch Team

This is where it all happens. The laughter … the […]

Simple, but not Easy