Meat and Potatoes

Posted on September 15, 2026 by Lynn

I recently read a post by a young woman frustrated by current devotionals for women. She was particularly disappointed by what she called, “cutesy fluff”. In her post she described women’s devotionals and journals that were more concerned with being aesthetically pleasing, rather than being theologically sound. She said, “If I read one more devotion that says ‘I’m beautiful’, I may throw up!”

It got me thinking. I start my day by journaling (mostly listing my complaints to God, if I’m being honest), then I read a short daily devotion from one of three devotionals that continue to challenge me: “My Utmost for His Highest” – Oswald Chambers; “Experiencing God Daily” – Henry and Richard Blackaby; and “The Quiet Place” – Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. Then I read a passage from the Bible. For the last several months I have been immersed in 1st and 2nd Kings. I end my quiet time with prayer.

Being retired, I have time to ponder, meditate and research passages I have read. I have numerous study Bibles at my disposal to help me exegete a passage so I may understand His Word more fully. Of course, Google is helpful too when I need a quick AI answer to a question I may have. I go to Adult Bible Studies in my church, and am blessed to have gifted teachers who study and lead discussion, as well as groups who enjoy time of fellowship and camaraderie while studying God’s Word. I am most fortunate indeed! However, I realize that not all women have the same advantages I now have. When I was a young mom, I was lucky if I could squeeze in a ten minute quiet time before kids, work, and a myriad of chores and calendar events broke into my day. I will admit, a “cutesy fluff” devotion was not only easy, but welcome to give me the pat on the back I needed to start my day. With my hair a jumble, a ratty old sweatshirt with spit up on it, no makeup, and bags under my eyes from another sleepless night rocking a sick baby, to be called “beautiful” in an easy to read devotion was just the encouragement I needed to keep going.

But, now I want more. I want the “meat and potatoes”, as my Dad used to say. I want to be fed a satisfying, theologically sound, diet from the Word that draws me closer and closer in relationship to my Lord. I believe in today’s chaotic climate of political, societal unrest and calamity, more and more women (and men), young and old, want that too.

If I may offer advice to that young woman who was tired of all the “cutesy fluff”? Seek out a church where there are numerous Bible Studies offered for adults. Join a small group, who can encourage, pray, and uplift you in whatever season of life you’re in. Find a devotional, not necessarily geared specifically towards women, but one that challenges you in your daily walk. Most importantly, don’t rely exclusively on a book or devotional to nourish you, but feast on the Bible.

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Shaky Hands

Posted on July 9, 2026 by Lynn

No one told me that my going through chemo for endometrial cancer in 2019 would result in dealing with so many side effects years later. A recent trip to my doctor, although encouraging in some aspects, since my blood work was for the most part good, determined that I have also tested positive for Lupus. According to my family doctor, it is just something to be monitored for now, since adding to my already significant cocktail of medications, would only add more disconcerting medicinal side effects. I have researched systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. It is characterized by “flare ups” that in my case causes extreme fatigue, joint pain and swelling. Not fun.

I can’t blame SLE on chemo per se, although specialists are still researching a link between having chemo and then being diagnosed with various autoimmune diseases after the fact. I live with the side effects to the best of my ability, but there are frustrations and at times I am more than a little discouraged. The thing is, my main reason for going to the doctor in the first place, was for something called “chemo-induced essential hand tremors“. Shaky hands has really hampered my ability to write, type, text, craft and a host of other activities I once took for granted. My husband acts as my “hands”, taking pans out of the oven, chopping vegetables etc. in the kitchen, and much more. He also assists me at church when we take the Lord’s Supper elements, by picking up and carrying the little communal cup for me. Since my right hand is more affected than my left, I have been learning to use my left hand more, still it’s not my dominant hand, and it is frustrating to not be able to do some things without tremors causing me some grief. I will admit it embarrasses me more than anything. I don’t like to look vulnerable in front of family and friends. Yes, it’s pride.

I empathize with Apostle Paul when he asked his “thorn” to be removed from him in 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10. Certainly, I have prayed that these afflictions I seem to be facing be removed, but it is Paul’s response in this passage when God determined that he live with his “thorn in the flesh” that challenges me in verse 9. “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

God reminds me daily that in all things, even in my minor afflictions, that His Grace is sufficient. I don’t know if I can yet boast gladly about my weaknesses, or delight in them. I’m leaning on Him to help me get through it. In the meantime, I ask for patience as I work all things out with fear and trembling and yes, even shaky hands.

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A Brief Getaway

Posted on May 25, 2026 by Lynn

Kye Bay welcomed us with a spectacular sunset, and a low tide that allowed miles and miles of sand to show and be explored. The greenery and rhododendrons in full bloom lifted my spirits especially since we had left behind cold and snow only days before in Alberta. I could feel my skin become drenched in the coastal climate, soaking up every bit of moisture, even though we only experienced one rainy day the entire time we were on the Island. The dry, parched Alberta cold, was a drowned out memory as I luxuriated in the damp air around me. The sound of gulls, the gaiety of bird song, the shrill peels of eagles overhead, was a sweet, sweet chorus when combined with the lapping of waves in the daily tide shifts.

Perfect.

I had spent weeks before our trip, fighting a lung infection that developed into pneumonia. I feared we would have to cancel our trip to the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. My husband, his sister from Ottawa, and his brother from England were planning a reunion there in the town they grew up. It would be the first time the three siblings would all be together since 2012. I didn’t want to be the cause of him missing out on seeing them, after all, we never know if these meet ups will happen again. Thankfully, I recovered so we could enjoy a wonderful family gathering, and much memory-making in the process.

My husband and I decided to stay in a couple Bed and Breakfasts at Kye Bay. Our hosts were delightful, with gourmet breakfasts served on an outside deck overlooking glorious gardens. Meeting and chatting with fellow retirees escaping for a few days as well, was pleasant. Being only steps away from the beach was an added bonus. (Thanks Mena, Ken and Lynn for the hospitality!)

My husband, Charles has a warm, relaxed relationship with his brother and sister, something we do not take for granted. They joke about, laugh, reminisce and share countless stories of growing up together. I am included in their banter, I’m literally the “little sister” amongst them, as is evident when we take a picture and they tower over me in height!

We are home now. Hard to believe we were gone for two weeks. We have had a weekend to recover from the long drive back to our home in Alberta. I lament the fact that the leaves are just beginning to sprout on my lilac bushes. My garden is at least two months or more behind Comox in plant growth. It’s sad. I’m missing the floral colours, and the moisture in the air. Every time we visit the Island, we contemplate retiring there, but then the Alberta Rockies lure us home, and we feel a prairie homecoming that fills us with peace.

We will bloom where we are planted.

Still, … the Island is a nice place to visit.

Kye Bay
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