Tag: forgiveness

Beloved Babe

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He wasn’t just any baby. This beloved babe, born of a virgin, came to love like no other. Live like no other. Forgive like no other. Die like no other—because he rose like no other. And like no other, he will come again. What did this beloved babe do to change the scope of my hope? How has he updated my lens of love and posture of praise? How does his life and death give me…freedom? Why do I celebrate Christmas?

How do you celebrate this season? How is it different from your childhood memories?

Childhood Christmas’s meant church cantatas, family gatherings, school plays, parades, caroling, hot chocolate, and a booming “Ho, ho, ho” from my Dad! What’s mantled in my memories? The sounds of Christmas songs, the feel of cheer and chilly air, and the car rides to my grandparents. Some soul-sniffing provides the smells of Christmas, too!

Ah, the Savior’s birth stirs my senses!

Traditions continued as I grew. As I’d celebrate the birth of Christ with my own family, some traditions continued, and new ones were created. Reading the Nativity story, seeing Christmas lights, and watching movies made the season magical. As I grew older, the birth of the beloved babe was often overshadowed by other “Christmasy” outings. Why was there an emphasis placed on performance and activities? Standards. They had to be met everywhere—school, home, and every other area of life. Standards snuffed out the significance of this beloved babe’s sacrifice. The sights, sounds, and smells became…standardized. Is that what the beloved babe intended?

The rigidity of religiosity, adoration in activity, and praise through performance set me up for…failure. Is that what the beloved babe intended?

“I am leaving you with a gift-peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27

The beloved babe, surrounded by the humblest of people in a lowly setting, intended life to be lived…free. Our beloved babe, (fully God, fully man) became the Prince of Peace and King of Kings. Skimming the surface, or standardized celebrations, poorly represent my faith-filled freedom.

Doctrine doesn’t define and society’s standards can’t satisfy.This love was made real in surrender. The candles I’ve lit this Advent season represent the relationship I cherish with this beloved babe. “O Holy Night” and “Joy to the World” sing out of my soul! My heart’s longing was ONLY fulfilled through the freedom found from this beloved babe. He’s with me as I “run” free in the woods (just like a child!). He’s beside me when I’m in line at the store. He’s holding my hand at the infusion center. He’s beside me when I’m helping a student. When I’m lying awake at night, HE is there. Ah, freedom. HE is the hope, peace, joy, and love of my soul.

How can I convince others that this BELOVED BABE came to TAKE AWAY your frustrations and burdens? His tears and blood, from a manger in a cave,… to an old wooden cross,… were shed FOR YOU and for me. His gift of peace is a treasure! I choose to not waste his sacrifice by stressing over things that I can’t control. Or that don’t matter.

Fear failed when this beloved babe was born. He grew to be the man I cherish. The Savior I accepted. And the Holy Spirit who indwells IN me.

Do you REALLY KNOW how loved you are? Are you frustrated or faith-filled? Is your life performance-based or grown by grace? Do you feel trapped or free? I PRAY you experience the heart-changing, soul-shifting, and freedom-finding true gift of Christmas.

This beloved babe, Jesus Christ, is the most precious gift I’ve ever received. It’s not about perfection or performance, it’s about your heart and humanity. Will you please accept this free gift? Do you know how loved you are?

Merry Christmas, dear friends. May the gift of Christmas give hope, peace, joy, and love. ❣️🎄

Happy Birthday, Jesus! 🎶❣️
Yes, this bird came into my house! Tee hee!

Have faith 🤍

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

K.L. Hale

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Rivers of Resilience

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Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy;

Psalm 98:8

He was criticized for abandoning his party. He was fierce competition for the Democrats. Progressive? A bull moose. He was my age when he gave his speech that night in 1912.  Theodore Roosevelt spoke of morality, responsibility, and compassion—not of his other opponents. Some say if he couldn’t rule, he would ruin. Injured pride and greed? Was he crazy? 

He defied hardships and lost himself in danger. Theodore wasn’t a stranger to loss. On Valentine’s Day, at the age of 25, his mom, Martha, died of typhoid fever. Eleven hours later, his wife, Alice Lee Roosevelt (two days after giving birth to his daughter) died of a kidney disorder.
He faced his fears and the frontier. Inconvenience and hard places kept his body and mind free from aches.

Defeats, tragedies, obstacles, and weaknesses only grew his grit. Adventures in the outdoors and willpower quenched Theodore Roosevelt’s thirst for greatness.
It wasn’t any surprise to his 2nd wife he would break away again…to a punishing adventure. Punishment through physical challenges or punishment to himself for the pain and loneliness?

“On the banks of the River of Doubt, the same unyielding will and thirst for achievement brought him face to face with the absolute limits of his strength.” (Millard 2005)

“After his humiliating election defeat in 1912, Theodore Roosevelt set his sights on the most punishing physical challenge he could find the first descent of an unmapped, rapids-choked tributary of the Amazon. Together with his son Kermit and Brazil’s most famous explorer Candido Mariano da silva Rondon, Roosevelt faced an unbelievable series of hardships: they lost their canoes and supplies to punishing whitewater rapids, and endured starvation, attacks, disease, drowning, and a murder with their own ranks. In the end, three men would die, and Roosevelt would be brought to the brink of suicide, but the expedition accomplished a seemingly impossible feat, and changed the map of the Western Hemisphere forever.” (Millard 2005)

“Who hears the rippling of rivers will not utterly despair of anything.”

Henry David Thoreau

For those of you familiar with President Roosevelt’s life, you might know of the tragic death of his son, Kermit (who accompanied him on this river trip). I was once in despair. It’s not that I didn’t want to be HERE. Just not in pain. Mental Health is not a disease. It is part of all of us. What flows through us and gives us hope? How do we face challenges and ride the rapids? How can we recognize the need for utter relief and build resiliency?

Resilience is the residency of Christ in my heart. The rapids we face are the battles for our hearts.💛

Days of floating the Ozarks’ rivers flow through my soul. Tranquil tributaries turned to raging rapids at times. The gushes and torrents were tough teachers. My resolve to rally runs like rivers. Droughts will deplete. Rainfall replenishes. Floods forge with my faith. Rivers rally my resilience. There’s healing in hard times-continued creek crossing despite crisis.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…Isaiah 43:2

“The life of God is described in scripture as a river–a powerful, gorgeous, unceasing, everrenewing, ever-flowing river.” (Eldridge 13).

“When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you. A joy.” Rumi

Our Creator can calm currents. His love and grace will flow freely through the tributaries of your heart. 🩷

May the river of life from God flow in and through us and take residency of our hearts.

K.L. Hale

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. Isaiah 41:18

“Love is the river of life in the world.” Henry Ward Beecher

“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it.”

Norman Maclean, American author, from “A River Runs Through It” (1976).

“You drown not by falling into a river, but by staying submerged in it.” – Paulo Coelho, Brazilian author, from “The Alchemist” (1988).

Pics by K.L. Hale–rivers in the U.S.A.

‘”The river has great wisdom and whispers its secrets to the hearts of men.”

Mark Twain, “Life on the Mississippi” (1883).

Works Cited

Eldridge, J. (2022). Resilient-Restoring Your Weary Soul in These Turbulent Times. Nashville: Nelson Books.

Millard, C. (2005). The River of Doubt. New York: Anchor Books (a division of Random House, Inc.).

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Thank you for taking a leap of faith to follow!

Keeping Score

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Our crushing Class AA Cardinals’ affiliate, Springfield Cardinals, set a franchise record in consecutive wins. Much like the nail-biting game I wrote about last year, the bats swung (a word for Martha) with come-back conviction. A blow-your-mind come-back-from-behind win! 9-0—a record!

My record? 2-0! Nearly two years are behind me, and I’m happy to set a 100%-win record in my series with cancer.

Loss WILL happen.

There’s freedom in losing count of strikeouts, injuries, side-line struggles, and group gossip.

 Let’s stop keeping scores based on politics, positions, and postures. Let’s lose count of the times we’ve been hurt, handled, or harmed.

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.”

Philippians 3:7

Are you keeping the score of the runs or the ridicule? Can you lose count of the consecutive contempt and concentrate on the countenance of Christ?

“Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” Matthew 18:21

In a world that counts runs or assumes religion is all about righteousness, let’s talk about a winning plan. What shapes your convictions? We’re all in the game together. It’s not about keeping scores based on doctrine or following the law. Discipline, hard work, humility…God wants to restore us on our paths to wholeness and holiness. So why keep count and score? Why compare injuries or losses?

“and become one with him. I no longer count on my righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.”

Philippians 3:9

Love. A league of its own. It’s an affiliate of the Almighty; not a rally of personal righteousness.❣️

Let’s cheer each other on and lose count of the team uniform and coaches—we’re in the same league.

Nature is winning–K.L. Hale

Do you know how loved you are? If you don’t, feel free to email me at finleyriverpublishing@gmail.com. If I don’t return it immediately, I might be sidelined for a day or two. I’m happy to share my game experience—and most importantly, love.

Have faith 💛

FYI–I’m off to an appointment soon–thank you for your kindness and patience. Friends, I thank you for your unwavering support and prayers. Recently, I learned of two friends that are battling cancer. May we all continue lifting one another–for truly we are on the same team. 💕

Have you heard of NET, Yet?🦓

I’m maintaining and moving more-I’m in the game. A new monthly injection/treatment seems to be less painful; yet has some sidelining side effects. It’s tricky. How do you decide on a game plan? Do you watch, wait, and pray on the bench? Or do you grab a bat and swing? Do I sit in the stands with others, cheering, and resting?  

For those who aren’t familiar with NET, this cancer is rare. It’s a marathon. Like all of you, some days are better than others. The goal is to keep it out of the liver again. To keep my organs running smooth, my bones from aching so they can heal, and to keep my heart on what matters most.

God always has a plan. I’m listening. With solid support and my daily faith workouts, I’m keeping my head and heart in the game. I told John, my blogging friend with cancer, I’d rather have 75% of a month where I’m in the game than 0%. We’re all battling game injuries. I’m simply happy to be on your team. While here I won’t keep score. I’ll lose count and just take one day at a time.

In the next two weeks to two months, I’ll have appointments, another treatment, and hopefully, a visit to Texas and north Missouri to see my most important people (I have two amazing sons and daughter-in-loves, and 3 precious grands). Here, in my Springfield stands, I have a solid support team member and my fabulous family and friends (all of you included). Each Wednesday I huddle with an incredible team of other cancer thrivers. Without them, my skills would be lessened. Their lives and stories inspire me-the learning motivates me. If I’m “hit and miss” at your place, please know I will meet you there as soon as possible.

Unexpectedly, I had several appointments in the last two weeks (or 3? I’ve lost count 😉). One was scary, hairy, and a bit frustrating. “Don’t keep score, Karla. It’s a loss; lead with love.” This Godly game plan worked for HIS purpose. Leaving there, I waved at this precious lady and her fuzzy huge, adorable cat. She rolled down the window and waved me over. “Here,” she said. “I want to give you this kindness rock I painted.” Tears streamed down my face. “Thank you. This means so much to me.” In that instant, not just names were shared. Hope. Kindness. Love. Everything diseased inside of me felt gone. Cancer? I lost count.  

Cathy, thank you for my kindness rock–and your sweet spirit and smile.

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Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, & fresh air

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Side Effects

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After working for several hours on part II of “My Missouri” series, I felt a tug by the Spirit to write the words that were brimming over my soul. I’ll return to My Missouri series after Easter. Thank you for stopping by to support me!

Health challenges, uncertainties, and changes have brewed like an enormous mug of strong coffee for 9 years. I’m savoring the sweetness and adjusting to the bitter and strong tastes of this cup. It’s been almost 2 years since the diagnosis. It’s been many months of treatments, appointments, miraculous surgery, and side effects. Some are tough. Other side effects, like gratitude, greater empathy, and Godly grit, are positive! Are you experiencing side effects? Do they linger due to loss of health, family, career, or purpose? Perhaps you have positive side effects due to a life-serving choice! How do you cope with side effects?

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

This week is spiritually significant to me. Holy Week moves me. The Savior I serve walked the Earth, fully man, fully God. Showing love, compassion, kindness, and an opportunity to accept the source of complete life and peace, he surprised folks with his “upside down” ways. Turn the other cheek? Forgive those who hate you? Love your enemies? Give to the poor and the widows? Show humility and meekness? A love-giving, sin-forgiving, hope-providing, disease-healing, outcast-gathering, lowly-lifting, disciple-teaching, grace-abiding, donkey-riding KING… took MY PLACE, YOUR PLACE as an atonement for our alienation. “Shattering the shame and dying for the doubters, Jesus was brutally crucified. “It is Finished.”

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

 There were side effects.

A soldier surrendered his skepticism. A mother wept and mourned, then rejoiced. A doubter became a believer. Disciples’ determination drove them to dream, deliver, debate, and defend to their death! For ALL OF US, if we believe, there is hope harnessed to a promise.

We all suffer. We will all experience side effects—good and bad. Have life events produced a side effect of shame? Has life handed you a dose of doubt? Do you feel hopeless? We can try and tuck these side effects tight in a tomb, sealed by a stone. The stone CAN roll. Your tomb can be emptied.

“Arriving at the tomb they discovered that the huge stone covering the entrance had been rolled aside so they went in to look. But the tomb was empty The body of Jesus was gone! Luke 24: 2-3

Yesterday…

The post office was packed. Most people in line looked down at their phones. Two kind ladies acknowledged me with a smile. An older gentleman at the counter told a funny story (I giggled). Unsure of the box size I needed, I stepped to the counter with my items ready to mail. The pleasant worker provided the right size box and a mailer sticker. “Fill this out at the counter and come back to me for checkout.” One woman was very upset. “It’s not fair that she gets to return because she’s unprepared. There should be a line for those of us who are prepared.” That’s a great idea, I thought to myself. It would be helpful.

Popular prescriptions might produce side effects of cynicism, criticism, jealousy, greed, hate, or comparison.

She continued talking about my unpreparedness and added, “I’m in a hurry because I work with cancer patients.” Loud enough for a few to hear I said, “I’m so thankful for God’s grace,” (and that I wasn’t burning up by that fiery stare–although tears were forming to douse it). One of the kind ladies said, “Isn’t God’s grace wonderful?” Another kind gal gave me a heart symbol with her hands. My heart melted! Smiling, with tears, I thought about humanity, how judgy we can be, and what a gosh darn hurry we’re in all the time. We are not patient creatures. The sweet lady who gave me her “heart” said, “I have lupus. I’m 51. I don’t look sick and it’s a struggle.” Wow. Was she reading my mind? The other lady shared about a friend who has cancer. “I understand,” I shared. “I’m living with it.” The 3 of us formed a circle of compassion. I begged them to give me their two cards to mail so they could leave. They refused! I left there feeling hopeful. But also, a good lesson that I need to be more prepared–I grabbed flat rate boxes on my way out! My heart went out to the lady who had a crusty shell. I’ve been there. She was experiencing side effects.

There are times when we’re not prepared. The unexpected happens. Everybody’s going through something. The loss of a child, sickness, job, or home. Or even happy and joyful times. We all suffer–side effects will surface.

As I strive to manage symptoms and thrive with side effects, I’m reminded that God speaks to us in diverse ways. At times it’s direct and clear (like with Abraham, “Yes, God, I’m here”). Other times he guides us quickly. Sometimes, he grows us silently (Joseph was 17 when he had his first dream—by 30, he went from the pit to the palace, was an interpreter, and showed amazing grace to his brothers).

So many years ago, as he hosted his Last Supper, Jesus KNEW the suffering he’d endure. The horrific side effects of betrayal and a bloody beating led to an excruciating death. The “side effects” of this humanity wouldn’t be worth it to me…but for my Savior. I can’t help but share the side effects of salvation—love, compassion, grace, and hope.

In the 35,000 decisions you might make in a day, which ones will produce positive side effects? For those suffering, I’m so sorry. My prayer is your side effects are eternity-fulfilling, hope-granting, love-giving, soul-soothing, and grace-accepting. You are loved.

Thank you, God, for your miracles. May the side effects of your love and grace spread like a good seed, germinate, …and grow.

Have faith 💚

I love the side effects of nature! Pics by me–Springfield Nature Center

K.L. Hale's avatar

Embracing imperfection with faith, flannel, and fresh air

K.L. Hale

©2020-2024 Flannel with Faith. All rights reserved.