What do you do when you are afraid?

“Every night a boy had to walk past what he believed was a haunted house. A friend gave him a good-luck charm to give him courage. An adult said, ‘It’s sinful to be afraid. Trust God! Be brave!’ But he was still afraid. Then, someone said with compassion, ‘I know what it is to be afraid. I will walk with you past the house.’ That’s all the boy needed to quell his fears.”

Our Daily Bread devotional

Who walks with YOU in fearful times?

That story is close to my heart today as I write this post, because I am thinking of a very special person. From the time I was a brand new Christ follower she would walk WITH me through the things I feared. She was my spiritual Mom. My mentor. And yesterday, after a long, long period of suffering, she suddenly took a big turn for the worse. She was in the hospital about a week, then to Comfort Care and within a few hours, she had left us…

After 45 years of friendship, my Spiritual Mom went HOME to be with JESUS on Tuesday, this week. She was one amazing lady! I could talk to her about ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Mary Ann Bader was a spiritual Mom for many! I first met her at Fort Street Christian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. She SHOWED me JESUS. Even though for many years, we have been separated by many miles. she was always my go-to-person for wisdom and prayer and her delightful “giggle”. I will miss that laughter that came from deep inside of her. I know she has gone HOME to be with JESUS, but it’s hard to say “see you later”…

Her HOME-going has left a huge void here to those still EARTH-bound.

I’m praying for Mary Ann’s family and for the multitude of friends and the foster children she and husband, Gail mentored through all their years together. It’s only been about 1-1/2 years ago that her husband paved the way and went to be with Jesus first. She missed him terribly much! And, so, not far behind, his dear wife, joined him this week. I know they are happy, but they left a deep void…

There is Life-Purpose in Ministry

That’s what Mary Ann taught by example. That we are here for a purpose. Isn’t that why we are kept here on the earth for a season, after we commit our lives to Him? Rather than immediately going HOME to JESUS, aren’t we all to be impacting lives and mentoring others, like my friend, Mary Ann did for me?

Jesus calls you to BE that one who walks with those God puts in your path.  Choosing to walk with them PAST the things they fear. To remind them that Jesus will never ever leave them…even when they are in the midst of trials and tribulations and fearful experiences. To do what Mary Ann did for me. Her EARTH-bound work is finished. She has passed the baton on to me and to you. The Joy of the Lord is your strength.

We are to teach our mentees to:

“Fear Not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you.”

Isaiah 41:10

Marantha! Come Lord Jesus!

Until next time…

Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com

It’s like a fatigue that comes from long days of isolation. A general all over blah feeling, Like we’re missing out on life in general. We can be especially vulnerable to negative thinking. Especially with the unknowns that swirls around because of the China virus. We don’t just feel like we are missing out. We truly are. The fear level is high. We don’t know who to trust. And the laws and government decrees are forcing us to keep a distance from one another. Are you feeling Isolated? Lonely? Have you been hungry for a spiritual retreat with your church friends?

This is not the first time for me

I too, have felt that way a few times in my life. God recently reminded me of a specific time many years ago when He spoke very clearly to me about this very topic.

Children are a gift

After the miracle of my first child being born (after 12 years of barrenness), it didn’t take me long to forget she was a GIFT, and begin to complain to God about all that I was missing out on. All I had given up to be home with my child. I’d lost sight of what I had been GIVEN, and was concentrating on what I was LACKING. Have you ever felt that way?

Spiritually “barren”

I remember complaining to God that I felt “barren” spiritually because I was not able to go to Bible studies and fun get togethers with other women like I had before my child was born. I was getting little sleep and my husband traveled a lot. A LOT!!! I was in the mid-west and my family was all back east. I was kinda like Jonah under the Juniper tree. Loving the shade, but when the tree shriveled from the heat, he grumbled. *sigh* That was me, all right!

The Lord clearly spoke to me

My Dad used to say I was stubborn like an old mule sometimes, needing a 2 x 4 to get my attention. (Don’t be dismayed. It was only an expression. My Dad never ever abused me in any way at all. He was a wonderful father. But those of you who know me, know that he was correct in his analysis.)

So, the Lord clearly lovingly but firmly reminded me, as only a loving Father can do: “You’re not even true to what I already taught you.” WOW! TRUTH spoken to my heart and soul. (There goes that 2 x 4 to get my attention!) But, it actually felt like LOVE! Only one who loves you deeply will risk telling you exactly what you need to hear.

I had lots of notes to review

So that is what I did. I began to review and study those Scriptures and lessons I had already been taught. And this refresher course helped solidify what I had already been taught! It was exactly what “the doctor ordered”.

Reality check

You don’t “gotta” go to another retreat. You don’t “gotta” have another spiritual high. God doesn’t want you riding on emotional highs. It is a moment by moment walk with your BEST FRIEND in fellowship in daily conversation and consultation.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 (KJV)

The Christian life is like a long walk

Moment by moment. And only just this moment! Right now! Just this step! Right now! Not thinking about the last one. Not thinking about the next one. But being fully present in THIS one. THIS STEP! Here and now.

Our destination is Heaven,

but until we get there, the way is long and sometimes a bit crooked. But as long as we keep trudging away with our eyes on Jesus, checking in with Him for directions… so that when we feel fatigued by life’s current trial and testing, we will indeed be OK.

Beginning to end

It doesn’t matter how good you think your BEGINNING with GOD was. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you think you WALK with GOD has been up to now. What matters is that you FINISH well. And we none know if today is our “finish” date or not.

So, keep on keeping on with your eyes on the goal and trust God to remind You of the Truths you need to hear along the way whenever you veer off course a bit.

And rejoice that He is involved with your day-to-day life…even if sometimes it feels a bit like a 2 x 4 reminder. Because THAT is LOVE! Getting you back on course in fellowship with the One who loves you no matter what! Forever and ever!

Marantha! Come Lord Jesus!

Awaiting His shout,


Christian Life Coach
Leading from Your Strengths Mentor
www.loavesandfishescoaching.com