Photo by Dmitry Grigoriev

“But resurrection is not just consolation — it is restoration. We get it all back — the love, the loved ones, the goods, the beauties of this life — but in new, unimaginable degrees of glory and joy and strength.”

— Timothy Keller, Walking with God through Pain and Suffering

As I pruned a tree last summer, a bee angrily darted from its hiding spot and drove its stinger into my nose. Although I iced it and took Benadryl, my cheeks and eyes continued to swell. I was afraid I would have an anaphylactic response. Fortunately, I didn’t. However, the allergic reaction left my face severely disfigured for almost a week and prompted my doctor to prescribe an Epi-Pen.

This was serious, but, relatively small in terms of the problems I’ve faced. The degree of our suffering varies, yet all traumas capture our attention and steal our peace. More severe trials consume our vitality, like a candle burning down to its last flicker. How can a person see beyond their distress?

Although the apostle Paul suffered from natural disasters, unjust imprisonment, beatings, and constant endangerment, he viewed these trials with an eternal perspective. His suffering seemed comparatively small in light of God’s magnificent glory ahead. He said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NIV)

God gave Paul unique insight which emboldened his faith to make such a claim. He visited heaven, encountered Jesus in blinding light on the road to Damascus, and received surpassingly great revelations from Jesus. Paul’s anticipation of future glory kept him moving toward his heavenly prize. He marched through suffering confident as a soldier certain of victory. To all of us living after him, his message resounds with hope, “Keep going, glory is ahead!”

Although our earthly lives may not get better this side of heaven, as followers of Jesus, we have hope for eternity with God. It may be difficult to imagine, but our trials now will seem comparatively small in heaven. It’s not that our suffering loses its significance, it’s that the goodness of God, in all its glory, will outweigh it a million times over. We will get healthy glorified bodies, like the resurrected Jesus, and live in a beautiful undefiled world. There will be no violence, hate, or crime. Our King will reign with justice and love, forever. His righteous glory will be revealed IN us. This is the glory that overshadows our pain.

From small wounds to terrible heartbreak, it will all be over.

Glory is coming.

For further study on the theme of suffering, see Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller

Photo by Patrice Sanders

“May sunshine surround you each new day. And may smiles and love never be far away. ”

— Catherine Pulsifer

“Pretty morning, huh?” my husband texted after arriving to work. What, it’s a pretty morning? I hadn’t noticed yet. Not wanting to miss the sunrise, I grabbed my winter coat and walked out to the deck for a better view. Its wood planks glistened with ice crystals and newly formed puddles touched by the sun. In the distance, rays of sunlight shot over wintery peaks, casting their radiance low and bright across our green lawn. I breathed in the cold morning air and mused over the possibility that I was witnessing the seasons change at that very moment. Even the sound of my footsteps made me smile as I went to move my car before the painters arrived. My shoes caught and released their grip on the frost-covered steps as if they too were letting go of winter and welcoming spring.

After a dark, rainy winter in the Pacific Northwest, spring is something to marvel at. This week, the inside of our home has been especially dim, not because of winter, but from the opaque painter’s wrap covering our windows. Unable to see through the film, our house feels strangely enclosed, drab, and claustrophobic. If my husband had not encouraged me to look outside, I would have missed a gorgeous morning.

I’ve experienced a dark and oppressive view another time in my life, not from an actual physical barrier, but from a broken heart. During that time, I felt like I lived in a giant dark thundercloud. I went to sleep in the cloud, woke up in the cloud, went on errands in the cloud … it was everywhere I went.

It’s difficult to explain the darkness that comes upon someone filled with grief. My vision had become so obscured that I couldn’t imagine anything different. I went through my activities like a slow robot, with little engagement or feeling. It seemed like winter —in my heart. The thought of it ending never occurred to me. That is why I was so surprised by what I noticed one day.

It had been a dark and dreary morning when I went into my physical therapy appointment, but as I left, I saw something different. Just as I looked outside, the sun exploded from behind a black cloud. It was so bright and glorious that I felt a boost in my heart. Awakened with fresh realization, I exclaimed to myself, Wow, the sun is above the clouds after all. At that moment, I knew my observation was true for the sky and true for my heart. There IS light above the clouds! The darkness won’t last forever. That glimmer of hope began a new perspective for me. Light and life were possible. In time, God walked me through the darkness back into the light.

Photo by Jody Nardis

Have you ever experienced grief and loss that colored your world gray? Perhaps you are feeling it now?

Be comforted to know that there is a limit to your pain and suffering.  It may follow you around and feel like it’s never leaving, but it will. Grief is a necessary process when you experience loss, suffering, and heartache. When you have finished feeling all there is to feel, grief will slowly subside.

I’m not grieving anymore. The dark cloud lifted a long time ago. God made scars where the wounds once were. I remember them, but not with the same level of intensity. My faith is stronger now.  I’m confident God is with me, and know he is working for my good. His nearness comforts me. My hope is as high as the heavens because my hope is in God.

I’d like to share with you a quote I wrote after that day I saw the sun emerge.

“Above every cloud is a bright blue sky—will you ever see it again? Yes, my friend, you will fly!”

— I Wish for you Hope, Volume 1, Wendy Thayer

Someday, someone will tell you, “It’s a pretty morning, huh?” And you will go out and see it.

“When your mind says, ‘Give up,’ Hope whispers, ‘One more try.’”

— Unknown

Humble Pie is a real thing.  If you take a big bite of it, you will definitely want to eat it in private, but this pie is not consumed alone; it’s typically a public experience!

Yesterday, I had a big serving, which was more than enough for a year. I played a 9-hole game of Scramble Golf with women I had met for the first time.  In this game, our team of four golfers each hit a ball and then chose from the group’s best ball placement to take the next shot. We continued this process until the ball went into the cup.

For the first two holes, I couldn’t hit one good shot. Not one.  Then when I finally did make contact, it landed left of the green, yet they all cheered me on anyway.  This is how you KNOW when you are having a bad game - when a mediocre shot earns praise. 

I realize that being humbled builds character and, despite my wishes, seems inevitable in golf. The frustrating part is I’ve been taking lessons and trying diligently to make progress. Recently, my friend’s husband told me I shouldn’t be so hard on myself.  But, playing this badly in front of strangers after all that effort is perplexing.

Is there anything you are trying to improve? It could be a sport, habit, character trait, or skill. Perhaps it’s parenting – which provides more opportunities for public embarrassment than all the above combined.  

Here’s my pep talk to myself. I figure it’s worth sharing for all of us who try and fail more times than we would like.

• Plan on eating humble pie occasionally. It’s not harmful physically, so be glad for that.

• Keep trying. Dabbling with inconsistent commitment is a recipe for more pie.

• Forget about yourself and focus on others.  Cheering them on is a great way to enjoy success, even if it is vicariously.

• Keep a good attitude. No one likes to play with pouters and club-throwers.

• Don’t make a big deal of your bad day. No sense in drawing more attention to yourself by complaining.

• Let God teach you something; you know he’s working on your character.  (Hopefully, he’ll help with things like golf too).

• Believe you will succeed someday.  You’ll win prizes, pins, awards… and best of all, you’ll gain a big heart of compassion for all those who struggle too.

Maybe those who have watched you eat humble pie, have been there as well. They’re probably just relieved it isn’t their day to eat pie.

Instead of judging you, they’re genuinely cheering you on. Believe that – hear the roar of the crowds … better days are ahead!

I feel my pep talk working; I think I can do this after all. 

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

— James 1:4 NIV

“Love one another deeply, from the heart.”

— 1 Peter 1:22 NIV

At the end of my good friend’s 40th birthday celebration, her husband surprised her with a wedding ceremony to renew their vows. The officiating pastor commented that younger couples “don’t see their lover’s flaws and can’t imagine getting in a fight with them.” In comparison, he noticed that couples who have been married for several years, as my friends have, will naturally experience plenty of turbulence in their marriage. 

That evening, my friend’s husband quipped, “The reason we’re not divorced is that she’s too stubborn to quit!” So, there they were, renewing their commitment after 21 years together, tenaciously contending for love – a love that sacrifices for the other’s good.

Love is important because it’s vital to our bodies and souls. Life without love would be like life without the sun.  If your heart has been broken, you understand the pain and loss of love. We need love not just from lovers, but from our friends, and families too.

We can easily see our need for love. Yet do we realize how flawed our ability to love is? Jesus says that loving God and loving people summarizes all the law. Yet, if we look at God’s commandments, we can quickly see how we fall short. We may profess love but fail to live it. Instead of sacrificially giving for another’s highest good, we meet our needs selfishly, despite the harm it causes. This is what creates the rocky road many have traveled. So, what is perfect love, and is there hope for us?

My favorite example of love is God, who is love.

God looked down from heaven and instead of despising us for our depravity, He set in motion a dramatic rescue. Jesus left heaven to sacrifice his life in our place so we could enjoy freedom from sin and death, and live for eternity with God. I’m in awe of this kind of love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ”

— John 3:16-17 NIV

God’s love gives sacrificially. It gives instead of takes. It seeks our highest good. It holds out its arms to us all day long.  It never fails.

In terms of loving others as completely as God does, I see how I miss the mark.  But here is the beautiful thing - because God has given me his Holy Spirit … when I feel I can’t love, He can.

This is the awareness that my friends (above) have come to realize.  They have struggled and gotten back up. They have decided to put each other first and give generously and selflessly. They have renewed their vows as a sign of their commitment to love – knowing their source of love, is God.

I hope you see this applies to all relationships, not just marriage.  Is there someone you need God’s help to love? It can be difficult, but not impossible. Will you ask God to fill you with his love for that person? Ask him to help you in your specific area of weakness.

His resources never run dry. He will fill you and help you.

This filling from God is like a waterwheel … we receive to give, receive to give, receive to give … and around and around it goes. 

His love, made perfect, in us. 

“In the words of my counselor and friend, ‘It’s not a mess!’ It may look like one, but trust that God is working in all things.”

— Tina & Dave Samples, Messed Up Men of the Bible

Have you ever had a knot that you couldn’t untangle? Wet shoelaces, necklaces, or fishing lines? Yesterday, I blew my hair dry upside down, and when I stood up, I had the worst knot ever. I rubbed conditioner through my hair, quickly trying to loosen it before my lunch guest arrived. I would have cut it out, but this was bigger than usual, and I don’t have that much hair! I heard the doorbell, so I just combed over it and left it for later. 

My friend and I had a wonderful visit catching up over the past few years, and she never mentioned my knot. I went through the rest of the day like this because I’d agreed to drive my son on errands right after lunch. It’s not like me to live with a knot, let alone go in public with one. Since he’s on crutches, I went into the school, the music store, and a fast-food restaurant for him. Back home, we laughed that I was beginning to make dreadlocks. My son is experienced with this kind of thing, so he coached me on how to get it out.  “Come on Mom, you can do it.” He encouraged me, “It took me a whole day to comb out my dreadlocks and I did it.” All I could envision was his bathroom counter covered in broken pieces of hair.

I finally got it out. In the process, I reflected on some of the other “knots” I’ve experienced in life - problems and pains much worse than a hair knot to resolve. Some days, I felt such despair I thought I would never get through. Yet God has been faithful to me. He’s not only a master detangler but a grand weaver who creates something beautiful in the process.

Encouragement from someone who has relied on God through their trials is helpful. So, in my difficult times, I’ve turned to the Psalms of David.  His life was repeatedly in danger; he was hunted by Saul and pursued by his enemies.  David’s only hope was God… and He saved him! (See Psalm 31, it’s amazing).  He says,

“Praise be to the LORD, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was a city under siege.  In my alarm, I said, “I am cut off from your sight! Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.”

— Psalm 31:21-22

If life feels like a tangle of knots, will you look to God? Find encouragement by reading the Psalms or recalling God’s past faithfulness to you. Like David, he will hear your cry for mercy and help you.

There truly isn’t a knot too hard for Him!

“Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the LORD.”

— Psalm 31:24

Photo by

“When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

— Mya Angelou

My cousin, John, has been juggling a lot of projects lately to the point of fearing something would drop – and nothing can drop. Have you ever felt that way? It might be a time of life when your family needs help, you have big work demands pressing in, unexpected challenges arise … all while navigating relational concerns that affect your peace. Something must give.

When life gets overwhelming, we need help. Kudos to my cousin who asked for it. We happened to be coming to town the weekend he needed assistance moving his sister, who is handicapped. Our family jumped in alongside John and his sister’s caregivers. Being from out-of-town, my parents kept inviting him for meals.  He accepted and we loved visiting and catching up.

On the last day of the move, John, sat at my parent’s kitchen table figuring out the last few details of installing the TV and getting cable service for his sister. He knows how important that is for a person who lives in bed most of the day… and he was accelerating the process. 

John wanted to show his gratitude to us by buying dinner. I know that’s a traditional thing people do after a move, but it wasn’t necessary.  My sister, Lori, was already planning a family meatloaf meal and she invited him to come.  “Then, what can I do for you,” he asked?

John looked down in thought, wondering how to show his gratitude. Then Lori said, “I know what you can do.” His eyebrows raised hopefully as he looked toward her. The answer came from her heart … in one loving and direct word, “Receive.”  

Lori’s sweet gesture emptied the unseen heaviness from the air – the responsibility of managing, accomplishing and reciprocating.  It was like exhaling the weight of “work,” followed by a giant inhale of love. 

For someone who had been giving, giving, giving … this was exactly what he needed.

John came to dinner that night.  The house smelled delicious like something savory was cooking all day. We all gathered around the table – sisters, parents, kids, and grandkids, and we ate until we had our fill.  John mentioned a phrase he’s coined for family love that connected this day to his childhood memories of family reunions, togetherness, and loyalty – with a grin on his face he called it “Mafia Love.” “It’s a loyal family bond without all the bad stuff” he explained.

These loving connections seem simple, yet they are life-giving. They enrich our lives and give them meaning. It’s something we can all do; give and receive, it’s like breathing … for our souls.

“ And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”

— 2 Corinthians 9:8

Photo by Taylor Van Riper

“Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal.”

— Thomas Moore

Have you read the novel, Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens? I remember reading it in High School and I loved it.  The main character, Pip, has great expectations for his future.  He wants to become a kinder person and an educated member of the upper class. He’s a dreamer, on his way to a better life.

So many of us have great expectations for our lives.  In our youth, we embrace idealism, believing we will create the lives we choose.  We aspire for successful careers, happy families, and enriching hobbies. We imagine finishing our last days satisfied, and full of years.   

Yet do you know anyone who has led a dreamy life, their whole life? I think that’s only for Hallmark movies. Occasionally, our great expectations meet disappointment… and that is a part of life.

There is, however, a superior kind of “expectation” told of in the Bible:

“Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance - an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.”

— 1 Peter 1:3b-4

This “great expectation” is the hope of eternal life because of what Jesus has done. Knowing we have such wonderful joy ahead; we can truly be glad.  This is what we hold on to, it’s what keeps us going… going through all our hardships.  Heaven is waiting!

Sometimes we receive an inheritance on earth when parents leave their possessions to their children. It can be a big blessing. But this verse says, our heavenly inheritance will be priceless! I can’t imagine a priceless inheritance on earth, and I really can’t imagine one in heaven.

Have you ever watched the Antique Road Show? It’s been one of my mother-in-law’s favorite programs. People bring their treasures to the show for an expert history lesson and appraisal. They are always amazed by what their antiques are worth; one person was so blown-away they fell to the ground! This makes the viewers cheer in amazement and wonder if they’ve got any valuable treasures laying around.  What if they owned something that was priceless?!

PRICELESS – That describes what is kept in heaven for us. Our inheritance is pure (nothing on earth is that kind of pure), it’s undefiled (we’ve pretty much defiled everything around here because of sin), and it’s beyond the reach of change and decay (look at our cities – our massive creations are wearing out). But the inheritance God has prepared for his followers will last forever.  It is gloriously beautiful, pure, undefiled, and incorruptible. There won’t be a need for an Antique Road Show appraisal because everything is priceless! And there won’t be any fixer-upper shows either, as much as we like to watch them, because remodeling will never be needed.  This inheritance is perfect now and will be perfect forever … and it’s just waiting for us! We have such joy ahead on so many levels we can’t even comprehend it. In fact, we might just fall over when we get there! 

If your dreams have been dashed, will you look forward with hope? Life doesn’t always work out as it should.  God has good ahead for you, in this life and the life to come.   

What if you put your “Great Expectations” in what Christ has done for you? In Him, you will be satisfied with an eternal inheritance, that can never perish, spoil, or fade.

Great Expectations… there was a reason I always loved that title!

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:18

Photo by Lori Loutsis

“Whimsy doesn’t care if you are the driver or the passenger; all that matters is that
you are on your way”

— Bob Goff, Love Does

My little grandniece ran up to my side window of the car as we were about to leave. She had a goodbye idea for me. Full of exuberance and joy, she pleaded, “Wait, wait, Aunt Wendy, I’ve got something for you.” Lila’s feet sped across the lawn as she disappeared behind the house. We love seeing our relatives in northern Idaho for weekend visits. My nephew’s young family recently moved back to town, so their two kids are a bonus.  Soon she was returning, as quickly as she left, with a big smile on her face and two handfuls of yellow flower petals.  She stood facing me outside my open window and threw her arms upward into the air. Lila giggled as petals filled the sky like confetti between our faces - yellow blossoms of sunshine on that warm summer day. I wished, if only for a moment, time could stand still.

My heart smiles every time I remember this magical gift. These flowers came from her garden - a little patch of land my sister has set aside for them to plant and grow. Lila’s gift was a whimsical expression of love - something she was glad to do spontaneously, freely, and exuberantly.  I will always remember our confetti goodbye.

“Cheerleaders along the way of hope
become a special kind of treasure.”

— Wendy Thayer, I Wish for You Hope

Earlier that same weekend, my husband and I stopped in for a visit at my cousin Anne’s. She has lived with Multiple Sclerosis for most of her adult life. It has limited her movements, yet cannot weaken her love. Anne lives up to her nickname, “Awesome,” and is one of the most grateful people I know. Her caregiver, Sher, is amazing too.  She takes Anne on outings to lakes and towns using a portable lift to get her in and out of the wheelchair. Recently, they decided they wanted to go camping. That is definitely not a small, nor practical, idea.  So, this is what Sher did instead. She set up a tent in Anne’s backyard, strung white lights, made a “campfire” with a propane fire ring, and roasted hot dogs. Sher’s boyfriend came with his guitar and they sat outside next to the tent. He played and sang as their evening turned into night and the sky filled with stars.  Anne was delighted!

These stories inspire my creativity and passion. How about you? Who do you know that needs a ray of sunshine, confetti smiles, or a backyard camp-out?

Our gifts of love can be simple, fun, and

g l o r i o u s. 

Let’s make it happen.

Let’s become “cheerleaders of hope”

for someone today!

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

— 1 John 4:7

Photo by Catalin Pop

“Happiness, not in another place, but this place ... not for another hour, but for this hour.”

— Walt Whitman

I recently watched the performance on America’s Got Talent by a lovely woman singing her original song, “It’s Okay.” She goes by the stage name, Nightbird. Her hope and joy touched so many hearts as she told the judges, “It’s important that everyone knows I’m so much more than the bad things that happen to me.” The bad thing(s) is cancer. She hasn’t been able to work for several years because she’s been fighting it. At the time of her performance, cancer was still present in her gorgeous, slight body … lessening her chance of survival to 2%.  But she’s living in hope, she has 2%.  You wouldn’t know her struggles by watching her. She sang the words, “It’s okay if you’re lost, and we’re all a little lost, and it’s okay” leaving the audience momentarily silent as they absorbed the message and the moment. Before it was all over, Nightbird spoke one more jewel,

“You can’t wait until
life isn’t hard anymore
before you decide
to be happy.”

— Nightbird

When someone, who has suffered this much, speaks…you listen.

I imagine she has certainly cried her tears, but she has also made a million little choices to choose joy. (I know some would say there’s a slight difference between happiness and joy, but I’m going to use them interchangeably here. I think we understand her meaning … that it is a choice).

Nightbird is victorious – no matter the outcome. She is victorious because she lives in hope and joy. This is her beautiful choice. And she glows.

I am humbled by her. My life currently isn’t as difficult and the irritants in my day are not life-threatening. But I too have decisions to make regarding my challenges in life.  Will I choose joy? Will you?

I would love to hear her recommendations, but from what I glean from her story and understand about God, here are some joy-filling choices worth making:

• Look for the good and keep it at the forefront of our minds

• Refuse to let the odds discourage us

• Find the sliver of hope

• Admit our errors

• Forgive others, and ourselves

• Accept that we can feel lost; we don’t have to be in control

• Avoid spilling our joy by thinking with criticism and judgment

• Offer grace

• Love deeply

Which of the above choices would make the most difference in the joy you experience? Whatever the challenges, I hope you will savor what’s good and choose joy today. When we see it so clearly in someone like Nightbird, we know it’s possible.   

I think you’re starting to glow already.

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

— 2 Corinthians 2:18

Photo by Christin Noelle

“ We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.  Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.”

— Romans 8:22-24a

I can hardly wait for our new granddaughter to be born in just a few weeks. I’m excited to hold her in my arms and admire her precious little face. Having had three babies of my own, I know birth is challenging, but then all that labor fades into the background as a newborn child brings inexpressible joy! This new life is going to be amazing!

Anticipating the birth of a child is the closest thing I can imagine relating to the new life and glory God promises His children – the redemption of our bodies.  Of course, what God has planned far surpasses my imagination. We are going to get glorified bodies like Jesus after His resurrection. Wow, set off the fireworks now! We will experience eternal life in a new body that will never die!

Right now, however, our wonderful bodies are wearing out.  We age, experience disease, brokenness, and suffer pain. We will fade like the flowers and eventually return to the dust of the earth.

All this sickness can make a person groan. Are you groaning over some illness or pain? I have so many times.  Even creation is groaning as our planet and people are on a course toward thorns, thistles, and decay. It takes a lot of work to keep our gardens beautiful and our bodies in shape because we’re fighting against entropy.  James Newman said entropy is the general trend of the universe toward death and disorder. Ugh, a piece of High School science that I still remember.

Sorry for this bleak reflection, but it makes the good news all the more crazy-good! The apostle Paul said, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

The bad news is going to be made so RIGHT that we might even forget our tough times on earth as if they were a dream. So, Paul encourages us to be patient and keep hoping.   Our faith in God and the work of Jesus as our Savior is our guarantee of resurrection life.

If you’re hurting today – even groaning as Paul describes it, I pray God will bring health and healing to you. Yet if entropy seems like it’s gaining ground, remember it doesn’t get the final say.  With God, even death does not win.

There WILL come a day… when you’ll get a new body.  More glorious than the birth of a newborn, YOU will be transformed, the same, but better.

Your groaning will turn into GLORY!

“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”

— Romans 8:11