Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Rough night last night. Right around supper time, I got cold. The kind of cold where I put on my fuzzy jammies, fuzzy socks, a hoodie, and covered up with a blanket. No reason, just because. It was a beautiful night, my body just felt the urge to go all Indiana Menopausal. I went to bed around 10, and by 230 I was wide awake with my mind going like a bell clapper in a goose's behind. And of course, came the flip-flop of hot and cold flashes.

HOWEVER.

Yesterday may have been rough overall, but it provided so much more for me. I was in His house. The message refilled my tank, and a dear friend prayed over me and topped it off. There is NO substitute for the indwelling of His power. None.

This morning is gorgeous. I can see the sun breaking through the trees in all its glory. I think I have figured out the problem I ran into yesterday. I get my grands this afternoon for two weeks. I have completed two competition stories and submitted them. My coffee is piping hot. And honestly, I am quite awake for not sleeping much the last four hours.

Today, I have a choice to make. I can dwell on the issues of yesterday's negative encounters … or … I can see the beauty of today and embrace it. Where, there will be some reflection on yesterday to clear up a few loose ends, my focus is not solely there; I will be there only long enough to finish the task.

Looking at my calendar for the next two weeks, I probably should have told my daughter not these two weeks, however, I am Grammy … hear me roar …meow. I can move mountains to spend time with my littles. They rejuvenate my heart.

Today is Memorial Day. As you go about your picnics and gatherings, remember to include the one who truly made the ultimate sacrifice for your soul…Jesus Christ. Pray for the families who lost someone defending your freedom to worship our King.
Make the choice today to only see the Light. Dismiss the darkened past. Learn and move forward. It will be difficult for me today because of the lack of sleep, but today I choose Him. Will you choose Him with me?

Be blessed.

**Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9

Welcome to Canada, where the winters last 9 months and "sorry" is a reflex, not a choice.
We speak 4 languages: English. Français. Hockey. And Sorry.
"Sorry" = hello. "Sorry" = excuse me. "Sorry" = you bumped into ME but I'm apologizing anyway. And "double-double" is a complete sentence at Tim Hortons.
Meanwhile:
• Everyone acts like -30°C is "not that bad" and goes outside in a hoodie
• Geese have more attitude than New Yorkers and will absolutely fight you in a parking lot
• Somebody's uncle is still wearing shorts in February saying "this is nothing compared to '82"
Welcome to Canada — where the politeness is mandatory, the healthcare is free, and we measure distance in Tim Hortons per kilometer.
P.S. If you cut someone off in traffic, they'll give you a disappointed head shake that haunts you for weeks. That's the Canadian way!

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

My brain is a little foggy this morning. After a long and extremely fun day yesterday, my mind would not shut off. I was completely awake at midnight and thinking that I might start a new short story … fourteen million, at least, words and ideas ran through my mind; all of which were GREAT ideas … it is a shame that I only remember that there was a fancy word that began with the letter E.

Maybe a little more coffee will wake up those ideas. Or not. Haha. It is a crap shoot on mornings like this. I do know where I like mowing, and it is relaxing, but mowing the back part of the property does a number on my hip. I go slow, as to not hurt the mower, and one would think … not me, however, last night has proven differently. Yesterday was a beautiful day and perfect for mowing. However, I did not start until after dinner, and the temperature dropped. Dropped enough that I got chilled to the bone. I am not a fan of that recourse because it takes me forever to warm up. When I finally did go to bed, I had layered clothes and several blankets … I was still cold. I know, I have to be stubborn all the time.

When I get this cold, I have to put on multiple layers of clothing, drink warm fluids, and bury myself under a number of blankets. My internal temperature fluctuates from cold to okay to cold to okay to oh maybe too much to cold to okay… until it completely regulates itself. It reminds me of each time I fall away from God.

Some internal cold fights are over with just a hoodie and a pair of socks. Some take that and one blanket. Times like last night takes a lined flannel shirt, t-shirt, socks, heavy sweats, two normal thickness blankets, and a heavy winter blanket … all of which were tucked tightly at my chin.

I have fallen away from His chosen path for me so many times. It is embarrassing to even say. Sometimes it only takes one return to church and I am solid for the next stint. Sometimes it takes a movie that catches my spirit, a loving conversation with a friend, and a new song, plus a couple entries into the church, before I find my place again. Sometimes it takes all the above, plus a hard season where the beauty that He provides is all around me, so that I will focus on His warmth and not whatever it is that is going on. Add to that the consistency of fellow Christians, reminding me that he truly is one step away from complete forgiveness. I just need to make that step.

The point is … I did warm up and fall asleep last night, and I have found my way back to the Father each and every time I have fallen. Once you decide to follow, He is but one step away. Whether you are a Christian struggling or a nonbeliever who is fighting his call to you. He is only one step away from warming you to the core. You need only take the step.

Where are you today? Are you a follower who is struggling, or someone who ran across my page by accident, and now you are trying to figure things out? Either way, either scenario, either path … you need only take a step, and He will meet you right there.

Speaking from experience, I encourage you to take that step. Put on that hoodie of love, the fuzzy socks of peace, the heavy sweats of comfort, and wrap up in His blanket of acceptance.

Be blessed.

**I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. – John 15:11

Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Good morning from my She Shed. Yep, that’s right. I got up, grabbed my coffee, packed up my puter, put on shoes and hoodie, and headed for the She Shed. It is so quiet and beautiful out here. The other night I did some time out here in the sunset, and this morning I was blessed with His presence in the earlier hours. Not super early, after all, it is my day off. Haha.

A couple of years ago, friends asked me why I didn’t do videos. Honestly, I did not feel it was my gig. However, I did start making some here and there. Then I got a TikTok and still no posts, but I enjoyed the platform. As I close in on my retirement date, I have started making more videos. Mostly about peace. I have plugged in my books, my dog, and yesterday I posted my last ride with the post office (I carried a route for the last time…I think…haha). This morning I made a video of me reading from the Word, Ecclesiastes 3:1-14…A Time for Everything.

While reading this morning, the birds were singing, and the peace of the Lord fell upon me. There is a weed right out my window that is dancing in the light breeze. While I was reading, I would look up at the weed, and it reminded me of me. This time in my life is new and a bit unsettling. Most any change in today’s age is unsettling. However, I know that He has it. He is directing it. He is in control of it. And all I have to do is dance in His breeze,

Several of my friends are going through some unrelenting times and questioning everything. The fact that God brought this word to me today … A Time for Everything…well, it is just a short reminder that we are not alone. We are His children. He is our Father. And regardless of the bully’s antics and pressures to give up, He will not allow the bully to win. When we choose to not surrender … the bully turns up the heat, but our Father shows us where thermostat is.

How connected to the Father are you? Do you talk to Him every day? Are you seeking His face? Will the daily blessings that He provides catch your eye?
Take a moment today, read Ecc 3:1-14. Slowly embrace the words and the context. Submerge yourself in His confidence and peace. Plunge into his presence and hug Him close to your heart. We do not have to understand the immediate (why), we need only understand that there is a purpose and that He is in control.

Be blessed.

**Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. –Proverbs 3:5-7

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Yes, normally I do not post twice in one day. Today is a different kind of day. Today, something special happened, and I need to share it with you.

After our naps and reclaiming life among the living this afternoon, we decided that we would go back to town and get dinner. Find a place we had not been to before—a new dinner spot. We settled on Bruno's, on the west side. Neither of us had been there before, and we were up for the challenge. We were met with hospitality, engaging conversation, and delightful food. As we left, we got a message from one of the doctors we were waiting for a prescription refill for, and there was a problem finding a pharmacy with the medicine that he needs and is completely out of. After a few phone calls, we were able to secure a pharmacy on the south side of town.

Once the prescription was filled, we were headed out when I engaged in a simple conversation with another customer. I was wearing my ‘Dear Person behind me…” hoodie. That is what started the talk. A little small talk, and she stated that she was having a very bad day. I reached into my pocket, pulled out a little Jesus, and then told her that she needed ‘this’ more than the little Jesus…at which point I leaned in and grabbed her up in a hug. She was shocked but did not pull away. As a matter of fact, she held on. We whispered a little bit, and she confessed that I did not know how much she needed that. I told her that I was just glad she finally paid the electric bill because it was really nice outside. She laughed. Did not let go, though, and neither did I.

I share this story, not because I want an atta-girl or a pat on the back, but to confess that I did not want to drive to town again today. I really did not have the desire to leave the quiet of my house. I was tired. I did not want to engage with anyone. But…as we were leaving, I grabbed a sizeable handful of the little Jesus’. Three were given away tonight, along with one business card. What I thought I wanted is so far from what I needed … I needed to get out of myself and into Him. Three people’s days are different today because I listened to the prompting and obeyed. One has a little more joy with the gift of a simple hug from a stranger. You never know the impact you are going to have on someone. I was humbled … yet again tonight.

Be blessed.

**Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. –Psalm 107:1

Good morning to everyone. Grace and peace be with you.

Well, we are in temper tantrum mode in the weather circle today. Started with some blustering yesterday and has ended up with us on the floor, kicking and screaming, “It's not fair.” Yesterday I wore a short-sleeve shirt to church and walked around outside without a jacket. Right now, while sitting at my desk, I am contemplating a hoodie and a blanket over the window to muffle the sound of the wind outside. The sound of the wind makes me want to be cold. Haha.

Yesterday’s sermon was about our purpose. 1) Do you understand that there is a purpose in your life, by God? But, more importantly … 2) Do you believe it? With an added 3) Do you know what it is?

Today’s world would have you think that if you are not all over television or radio, if you are not on stage in front of millions, if you are not a content creator with x-amount of followers, you have no purpose. HOWEVER, that is not the case. Each and every one of us has a purpose and an avenue to prosper. Now, do not fall into the world’s view of prosper as meaning rich … prospering has many avenues. You can prosper in peace … not worrying about things when the bottom falls out … but walking with confidence that God has this. You can prosper by being good at what you do. You can prosper by recognizing hidden signals that others are hurting. You can prosper in prayer. Jeremiah 29:11 says that “He” has plans for us to prosper … not to be wealthy. We will prosper in our talents.

The third thing was ‘Do you know what your purpose is?’ Specifically, your purpose. Do you know what it is that God has placed in your path to walk out? Your designed purpose. Sometimes I wonder if my purpose is to be a pain in the bottom. I do that pretty well. Sometimes I think that my purpose is directness. Sometimes I wonder what my purpose is. Yep, sure do.

Overall, I know that my purpose is to tell stories with meaning. So that one person, somewhere, will be encouraged to take the bold step and know that they are not alone and that ‘their’ purpose is not dark … but Light.
I do not anticipate becoming a billionaire by my writings…at least not in the sense of dollar signs. However, I would like to think that my writings would be a billionaire of helps to others in need. That is what I see my purpose as.

Just because you are not ‘famous’, does not mean that you lack a purpose. Maybe your purpose is to raise kids and then your kids have that lime lite. (Kind of like David wanting to build a temple but God told him NO, that is not your job … it was Solomons.)

Today I encourage you to go to the Father in prayer and pray over your designed purpose. Ask God to enlighten any areas that you are unsure of and to give you guidance. Be open to His teachings and embrace His wisdom.

Be blessed today my friends.

***Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. – Proverbs 19:21

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Her name was Miss Edna.

Hair always in a net. Apron stained with spaghetti sauce and mashed potatoes. She wore orthopedic shoes and gold clip-on earrings shaped like tiny roses.

She worked in the cafeteria at Bayview Middle School for 31 years.
Never missed a day. Not even during snowstorms.

She had a system: scoop the sloppy joes with the left hand, slide the tray with the right, smile with the eyes. For some kids, hers was the only kind face they saw all day.

And sometimes—when no one was looking—Miss Edna slipped an extra cookie or a second slice of pizza onto trays of kids who needed a little more than food.

“Don’t tell nobody,” she’d whisper. “That’s just between you and me.”
One of those kids was named Leo.

He didn’t talk much. Sat alone. Ate slowly, like every bite had to last. He wore the same hoodie every day. It was too short at the sleeves.

Miss Edna never asked questions. Just gave him double portions and saved him the softest roll from the batch.

She remembered him because he used to draw on napkins. Tiny little sketches of dragons and cities and faces. One day she said, “You ever thought about painting something big?”

He just shrugged. “Don’t have anything big to paint on.”
“Well,” she said, “the world’s plenty big. Start there.”

Twenty years passed.

Edna retired. The school sent her a card. Her knees hurt more in the mornings now, but she still walked to the corner market for milk and a lottery ticket, just like always.
One morning, she got a letter in the mail. Real envelope. Stamps and everything.

Inside was an invitation:
*“You are cordially invited to the opening night of ‘Portraits of Grace’ — a solo exhibition by Leo Navarro.”
And below that:
“P.S. I hope you still like oatmeal cookies.”
She stared at it for a long time.

The gallery was downtown, in one of those big industrial spaces with exposed beams and polished concrete.
She wore her best sweater. Even dabbed on some perfume she hadn’t touched in years.

When she walked in, the room fell quiet.

A few people turned, confused—wondering who the elderly woman in the church shoes was. But Leo—now tall, confident, beard peppered with gray—walked straight over and hugged her like the past twenty years hadn’t happened.

“Miss Edna,” he whispered.
“Oh my!,” she said. “Look at you.”

“I told them,” he said, gesturing to the crowd, “that the star of the show was arriving.”
And then he led her through the gallery.

There were portraits everywhere.
A woman with deep-set eyes and calloused hands watering a dying plant.
A crossing guard with a whistle frozen mid-blow, sunlight catching the badge on his vest.

A nurse resting in a plastic chair, slumped but still holding a chart in one hand.
Every one of them looked like someone people walk past every day without seeing.

And at the far end of the gallery—lit by a single soft spotlight—was the largest piece of all.
Miss Edna.
Her hair net rendered in delicate brushstrokes. Her eyes kind and knowing. Her hands paused mid-cookie over a plastic tray. Behind her, cafeteria tiles faded into a warm blur of color, like stained glass.

Edna gasped.
“Is that supposed to be… me?”

Leo nodded.
“I never forgot,” he said. “You were the first person who ever looked at me like I mattered. Like I wasn’t just a free-lunch kid.”

She reached up and touched the edge of the frame, fingertips trembling.
“I didn’t do much,” she said.
“You did enough,” he replied. “Enough to change everything.”

Later, they sat on a bench near the back, a small plate of cookies between them. Real oatmeal ones, just like she used to serve.
The room bustled with admirers, gallery staff, and champagne flutes, but Leo stayed next to her the whole time.

“I still don’t understand,” Edna said softly, watching people stare up at her painted face. “Why me?”

Leo smiled.
“Because most people think heroes wear capes,” he said. “But mine wore a hairnet and smelled like cinnamon.”

She laughed. Wiped her eyes.

And in that moment, Miss Edna didn’t feel tired or old or invisible.

She felt seen.

Really seen.

For the first time in a long time.

It's LIVE!
You got to check this out, but some later pages on the phone version are still jumbled. WIX and I are working diligently. But at least get signed up! Oh, and the chance for the hoodie sign up raffle only lasts til the 10th! Jump on it!

https://www.breakthroughswithrj.com/