Summer is off to a stifling start? “What a life!” the almost-five-year-old chimed, her voice full of wonder as she leaned against her dad in a kayak drifting across the cool waters of an Alaskan lake. Nearby, her seven-year-old birthday brother relaxed in a child-sized kayak, stretched out and happily being pulled along by their dad. Meanwhile, near Kansas City, a six-year-old was having a blast in the community pool. My three adorable little grands are starting summer spectacularly. They all make me giggle—three birthdays in June, July, and August—my sensational stairsteps. No stifling starts!
Meanwhile in Missouri…
I started to feel stifled.
Not just because of humidity. Medical issues, appointments, digestion? Because my back and bones ache? The heat and I don’t get along. Cancer knows exactly where I stand with it.
Humidity, we need to talk.
When do you feel stifled? There are seasons when I feel trapped. Sickness strikes. Some days, I feel isolated because my body aches too much to move. I feel stifled because I can’t give back what I feel others give to me. Suffocated by self-pity? Selfishness? Sadness? Solitude? I’m in time-out because of treatments. Some days, I’m just miserable—and I don’t have it in me to make it known. Because… I’ll never know real oppression. A young mother lost her battle to brain cancer, leaving behind two young sons and a grieving family. And I…complain?
Stifled? No. I’m merely sidelined for now. In silence, I savor. In song, I praise. In rest, I recuperate and remember—
ALL HE HAS BROUGHT ME THROUGH.
You might be surfing, swimming, or lying on a beach, Or working two jobs with basic needs out of reach. You may be lying in a hospital, facing the unknown, Or watching a loved one reach a milestone. Maybe you’re shopping, hoping to impress, Or feeling stifled, suffocated, even depressed. Hearing someone say, “You should just smile,” May help for a moment—but only a while. It takes much more than words like that; True change must reach the soul deep. Find the true Source of life For your heart to hold and keep. No matter the season— the hot, rainy, or cold— Your heart won’t stay stifled; He’ll be your stronghold. With trust and faith, giving Him your all, He’ll free your breath as you answer His call! K.L. Hale
Have hope, sweet friends. Keep the faith. You are loved.🧡
Friends, you may have noticed my website was “Under Construction”. In lieu of being “stifled”, I learned new editing features. SImpler structures. Yet, also many learning curves! I’m certain the 30 revisions will become 31. Progress, not perfection! Thank you for your patience as I continue learning and growing; despite physical issues that cause my MIA moments. You’re all such treasures to me! Stay blessed–NOT stifled! 🙏🏻❣️
Living liberated is a beautiful thing. I felt it’s cost, too, in the sticky summer air. Suddenly, while standing on the bridge at Wilson’s Creek Battlefield, a huge flock of birds started swooping and swirling around Finley and I. It was incredibly powerful, yet peaceful. The atmosphere was stifling–it was a heavy quiet before a summer storm. Perhaps like the air on that August dayin 1861 where multitudes surrendered everything for freedom.
Freedom. Liberty.Desired by all.
The shepherd drives the wolf from the sheep’s throat, for which the sheep thanks the shepherd as his liberator, while the wolf denounces him for the same act as the destroyer of liberty. Plainly, the sheep and the wolf are not agreed upon a definition of liberty.
Abraham Lincoln
The Freedom to Live
“I had reasoned this out in my mind, there was one of two things I had a right to, liberty or death; if I could not have one, I would have the other.” Harriet Tubman
The “freedom to live” is classified as a fundamental right in the United States, associated with other liberties such as freedom and the pursuit of happiness.1The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution states “nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws“.
“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.” — Stephen R. Covey
The Freedom to Prosper
Order without liberty and liberty without order are equally destructive.
Freedom is a gift, but unequal opportunities and economic fluctuations keep us facing hard realities. True security requires watching those in power and fiercely defending our liberties. Where power is chased we must guard the very pillars of our democracy!
How do I balance being a responsible and productive citizen with my top priority? My sole purpose for existence?
My Freedom to Let Go–Live Surrendered
Being emancipated and freed from the world is true liberty. There was a time my freedom “choices” were not interwined with His character. Jesus proclaimed that He came to “proclaim liberty to the captives” (Luke 4:18). The New Testament teaches that faith in Christ frees individuals from the penalty and power of sin. I’m not burdened by fear or religious legalism. When I left my own personal prison and entered a conscious and deep personal union with Christ, I experienced true freedom. My soul found healing. His grace is limitless. My true self and identity are found only in Him. Surrendering my rights allows me to walk in His will.
K.L. Hale
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 (ESV)
“The happiness which God designs for His higher creatures is the happiness of being freely, voluntarily united to Him and to each other in an ecstasy of love and delight.”
C.S. Lewis
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17
When the weight of the world is heavy, like the summer air, I remember my ultimate citizenship isn’t tied to the USA flag I love so much. It belongs to a Kingdom that never crumbles or shakes–and I love that more! My primary allegiance belongs to God. “Fixing humanity” is a heavy burden, friends. It can’t happen. I’m “free” to care about the world–I must LOVE God and OTHERS. Politics will shift power–only Christ will shift hearts. I’m resting in the fact that He is on the throne. I surrender. I’m free. I’m living …liberated.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”. Galatians 5:13
Do you know how loved you are? Have hope-keep the faith! ❣️
The journey to June came swiftly! “Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise!” If you’re from my neck of the woods, you’ve heard this phrase a time or two. I might make plans–but I’m not in ultimate control. Especially when the heavy humidity rolls in and sudden storms start brewing. I was reminded of this in a deeply personal way Sunday. Literally the creek rose and plans shifted!
How will I continue my practices and patterns of peace & savoring our Savior during seasonal shifts?
☀️Dawn Devotions
My new morning meditations include singing! Grounding myself in the truth of God’s Word, readings, quotes, and repeated truths promote my peaceful posture! Some mornings are much harder depending on my evening rest. But I don’t waiver from this WAY. My mornings aren’t the same without this (and a cup of coffee!☺️)!
🌳Shaded Stillness
When I’m sheltered by the shade I can enjoy nature and let HIS stillness strengthen me.
“Each will be like a hiding place from the wind, a shelter from the storm, like streams of water in a dry place, like the shade of a great rock in a weary land.” Isaiah 32:2
🙏🏻Porch Prayers
“I like to sit on the front porch of an old cabin I built in the woods and just listen to the birds.” — Johnny Cash
When the air is heavy (thank you humidity), I’ll pause and pray on the porch for someone with a heavy heart! Front or back porch? Which do you have have?
“If I’m going to have to sit on the back porch and watch life pass by, I won’t pass up the opportunity for prayer and praise!” -K.L. Hale
❣️Breathing Blessings
As I practice deep breathing (and hopefully my last month needing extra oxygen!) I’ll breathe in DEEPLY ALL my blessings and breathe out the burdens! Let’s take a deep breath together, friends!
When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love. – Marcus Aurelius
💧Soul Sipping
I’m being more intentional at staying hydrated! On the sweltering days I’m going to intentionally “quench” on His promises when I fill my glass of water! Each time I reach for a drink, I’m going to practice letting His living waters wash away the heat of the day’s worries!
How is your journey? Are you walking in rain? Experiencing a drought? Sheltered in a storm? Basking in the sun? Even when the atmosphere feels thick and life gets busy, we can anchor our NEW hearts IN HIM. Surrender, submit, savor, and be satisifed! Oh, what a summer it can be! Happy June, dear friends.
Find faith.Practice your peace.Fall INTO Him.You are loved. ❣️
It seems like forever ago since I’ve written in my journal. Despite the nagging elbow/arm pain my soul was uncluttered enough to write several pages/thoughts to create “Journey into June”. Like the rain we’ve had, thoughts fell hard and fast. If you know me, I embrace change.I’ve learned to accept what won’t change–my repeated practices and patterns of peace are 2nd nature now. Because of Christ! However, I have to surrender my OWN agenda. This world will continue to offer chaos for FREE if anyone is interested! Just turn on the news, stay focused on media, and offer opinions to that which doesn’t matter! Soon, you’ll find patterns that refuse to promote peace. Particularly the peace that only God gives. As I journey into June, looking forward to a grand’s birthday, an anniversary celebration, and Father’s Day, I’m reminded that EACH day belongs to a greater power than little ol’ me. But WITH my Heavenly Father, I have the strength to share with you. If you are practicing being “present”, particularly in the Holy Spirit, you understand why my seasons are quieter. Lessening the world noise to focus on what matters most is essential to a healthy soul–and body. May your June be a re-set and a wonderful time of faith, fun, family, & friends. I pray the the presence of God is real in your heart. Much love to all of you~Finley & I.
We don’t wait for our car engine to seize before checking the oil, yet so often, we wait until our bodies are exhausted and our spirits are dry before we think about care. Real…
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Life constantly presents me with its juxtapositions: the hybrid of hardness and happiness, sweetness tempered by sourness, the revealed modern life shadowed by melancholy, and stretches of calm that are suddenly interrupted by chaos. These contrasts shape my days and challenge my perspective, reminding me that life isn’t meant to be experienced in only one dimension.
Feeling minuscule, I praised my Maker as another full moon rose. One friend’s life was taken intentionally, while visiting another one struggling to survive. There was a time when I felt harnessed by hopelessness. Miracles, miniscule to massive, kept me orbiting. From hugs and kindness to the miracle of …surviving.❣️
In my own small world, I embrace hope and the promise of our Maker–no matter what!
“Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. Joshua 23:14
I can see the light!STILL see the light! The light WILL break throughThank you, God, for another full moon!
As the moon continues rotating around the Earth I wonder what will “revolve” until I see it again? Mercy me!God, have mercy on us all!
You are loved, my friends. Please don’t lose hope. Keep the faith! 💚
The world is still spinning, and many lives around me are facing unspeakable situations. While lives are lost in the war across the globe,there are those fighting wars right here (and in their minds & hearts). A young life is about to end with terminal cancer—and leaving two sons behind. Another family is mourning the loss of a friend who took her life. Meanwhile, I know someone in his late 80s who is ready to leave this world. We are all revolving and spinning—may love and hope ground us. Please be kind—you never know what someone is battling. I’ll request, please, that you not mention “I’m sorry for your loss”. I’m sorry for their families and closest friends! I don’t hurt for me, although I’m saddened by these situations. I’m okay with where I am in life. I’m blessed to STILL be here; even if life is challenging, I have a life. As I revolve, I’ll have future scans and a trip to D.C. More birthday celebrations—one of my sweet D.I.L.s and my precious mom. Another ladies’ fire where we share our lives and walks in Christ. THANK YOU for being HERE, praying for me, and being wonderful friends. I thank God for the gift of this wonderful community. I treasure you all and love you (so does Finn). Karla & Finley ❣️🐾
