The words are familiar. There’s a sense of comfort that keeps you reading it over and over again. It’s like watching your favorite movie, reflecting on the best moments of your life, visiting your favorite place, and being with the ones who give you comfort. You don’t want to turn the page-even if it means something greater. It’s scary-it’s unknown.

Paying attention in the back of the room was impossible. But being in the front of the room labeled you a class pet. Reading out loud in class, whether Bible class or at school, was sometimes stressful. Tracing the words I heard with my finger kept me on target-until a faster reader chimed in. It gave me comfort if the teacher used a pattern (I could count how many would read before me and no tricky stuff!). Fast forward to my own classroom and I never forced any student to read outloud. The class became my fearless family. Through mutual trust we would ALL read out loud at times (at the SAME TIME-it was music to my ears! Some might read 3 words and others 3 pages. Friends would buddy up to boost confidence and learn from one another (anyone remember popcorn reading when friends when “pop” the turns to other friends?). The fear of being stuck on a page while others were turning would never happen. Not with me.

Isn’t life simpler when everyone and everything is operating on the same page? There’s little conflict and harmony seems to flow. A sense of ease might even exist. Unfortunately, in my life, operating on the same page does not propel my progress. I’m not speaking of the daily routines and decisions that enhance the quality of my spiritual, physical, and emotional health.

If you’re stuck on the same page, chapter, or even book, I pray you find faith and hope. I know it’s not easy. Finding comfort is cemented coziness! Turning the page might hurt-fear might freeze any faith. Do you have an exciting chapter ahead? Is it one that you know will be difficult? How do you want your story to end? The chapters of your life will make a beautiful book. I don’t know how each chapter will end, but I know who does. Our Creator already knows. I’ll turn the page.

My family of friends, thank you. ❤🙏🤗 You’ve become my trusted tribe. I’ve curved again on my learning (wow, I should be dizzy!). Admittedly, it took me a year and 1/2 to realize the difference between FOLLOWING a blog and SUBSCRIBING to someone’s newsletter. But I know now! 😁 Many of you follow my blog- THANK YOU (you hit the FOLLOW button and receive e-mail notifications of new posts). But if you follow me, it doesn’t not mean you have subscribed. And maybe you’d rather not! I completely understand! If you are interested in subscribing to receive a monthly newsletter I would be so grateful and appreciative!💚 My newsletter/email sign-up are on any page EXCEPT my homepage.

Have faith💚

When I began writing again a page was turned. At times it feels as though I’ve skipped some important chapters. 😬 So I revisit my learning. Add new learning. Phone a friend. I’m sharing a video of a testimonial for Children’s Book Insider. Watching myself on video makes me cringe. Worry of the words coming out weakens me. Pausing and thinking causes me to stumble at times. Writing is easier. Writing for two genres is not. But I’ll keep turning pages. 💚