Dear woman friend reading this, Precious is still missing. The shepherd asked Arnold to go look for her. I hope that with his eagle eyes, he can find her quickly. If you are new here and don’t know, Arnold is an eagle. He assists the shepherd in caring for the flock, especially because he can fly and has those eagle eyes.

I need to go back out and help search but first, I need to ask you a question: do you remember what bookends are? In this day of e-readers, we don’t see bookends very often. They are a pair of identical objects placed one at each end of a row of books to keep the books from falling over. Libraries sometimes still use them.

Today’s post is a bookend of sorts. The last post provided a starting point for the next several posts. Today’s post gives an idea of where we will end this group of posts. Click on the link below and take a listen.

I need to go back and join the search for Precious…What was that scream?! ‘Bye, friend, I need to see what’s going on.

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Dear woman friend reading this, I am not going to do a full post today. Precious, the rabbit, is missing. The shepherd is out searching for her now.

Meanwhile, I want to give you a sneak peek of upcoming posts, Lord willing.

Click on the link below for a hint.

I must go join the shepherd in searching.

‘Bye!

Dear woman friend reading this, do you feel anxious tonight? Not sure what the future holds?

We don’t know what will happen tomorrow but our Shepherd knows. He will keep His promises: to lead you, protect you, provide for you, and care for you.

You can sleep well tonight knowing your Shepherd is right beside you.

Dear woman friend reading this, it’s the end of the week. Maybe it’s been a long week for you. Maybe it’s been a rough week for you.

How about I keep it light and short today and just share a song. If you could use some good news after this week, I’ve got some for you.

Just click on the link to hear the “Best News Ever”.

https://youtu.be/acbcKrnnJAk

Dear woman friend reading this, have you ever had a case of the galloping grumpies? When you wanted to crawl in bed, pull the blankets over your head, and just plain sulk?

I had the galloping grumpies this morning and crawling into bed and sulking was exactly what I wanted to do.

I didn’t have that luxury, though, and it’s probably a good thing that I didn’t because while it would have felt good (especially if it resulted in a nap), I doubt it would have solved anything.

Like some other feelings, I suspect the galloping grumpies, when indulged, will tangle you up in the reins and gallop off with you.

What’s the cure for the galloping grumpies? I got distracted and eventually the galloping grumpies galloped away. Maybe we could say the cure for the galloping grumpies is to change your focus.

One person (Lysa TerKeurst maybe?) has said that you steer where you stare. Where your focus is, the rest of you will go. If you focus on your galloping grumpies and sulk, you just get grumpier. If you focus on the positive, the galloping grumpies eventually gallop away.

What should you focus on instead? Isaiah 26:3 says He (God) will keep in perfect peace the one who trusts in Him.

Focus on God and His promises and eventually the galloping grumpies will gallop away.

Dear woman friend reading this, sometimes sleep can be very therapeutic. Sometimes staying up late and sacrificing sleep is necessary but we women sometimes do this too often.

Sleep doesn’t solve every problem but it may make it easier for you to handle the problem.

Try it tonight. See if you can get to bed a little earlier. It might just help a lot.

Good night.

Dear woman friend reading this, how was your day? No, really, how was it? Was it an enjoyable day or was it difficult or painful or stressful?

It’s ok to feel. We are human beings and not robots. God gave us emotions.

The question is, how do we handle our emotions? Do we let our feelings dictate our actions and our reactions?

We are not robots. We have feelings. But on the other hand, we are not toddlers who haven’t learned to manage their feelings.

We are women who know how to experience our emotions without letting them control us. At least, we should be like that. Is it easy? No way! Is it possible? Yes, with the help of our Shepherd. He promised that we could do all things through Him and His strength. Philippians 4:13

Depend on His strength today, dear woman friend. He will help you. He promised and He always keeps His promises!

(All credit for the following song is below.)

“Lie number one you’re supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you’re doing
Just smile and tell them, “Never better”Lie number 2 everybody’s life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, now I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told There’s a sign on the door, says, “Come as you are” but I doubt it
‘Cause if we lived like it was true, every Sunday morning pew would be crowded
But didn’t you say the church should look more like a hospital
A safe place for the sick, the sinner and the scarred and the prodigals
Like me Well truth be told
The truth is rarely told
Oh am I the only one who says I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told Can I really stand here unashamed
Knowin’ that you love for me won’t change?
Oh God if that’s really true
Then let the truth be told I say I’m fine, yeah I’m fine oh I’m fine, hey I’m fine but I’m not
I’m broken
And when it’s out of control I say it’s under control but it’s not
And you know it
I don’t know why it’s so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
Yeah I know There’s no failure, no fall
There’s no sin you don’t already know
So let the truth be told”

Source: Musixmatch Songwriters: Matthew West / Andrew Pruis Truth Be Told lyrics © Highly Combustible Music, Two Story House Music, One77 Songs, Combustion Five, Third Story House Music

I heard this song on the radio on the way to work this morning.

Dear woman friend reading this, it’s true you know. You can come to God just as you are. Don’t think you have to change anything or conquer something before you come. Just come.

As…you…are!

I apologize for some two years of writer’s block. I hope to be far more consistent in 2021.