I’ve flown three times in the last year, which included my adventure with TSA and the protein powder. You can read that story here.
When I learned that there was a TSA app that might give me the inside info for my next flight, I was all over that. Maybe I could avoid getting patted down again.
And down the rabbit hole I went, opening the list of what I can bring. I was thinking twenty to thirty items on their list.
Oh, foolish me. There are almost two hundred. I think. I didn’t count.
Did you know you can take artificial skeleton bones in your carry-on bag and your checked bag?
Love the Lanes?
No bowling balls or bowling pins in your carry-on bag. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody try to bring on a bowling ball or bowling pins. Maybe I need to fly more.
Speaking of common sense (or Captain Obvious), dynamite is out both for your carry-on and your checked bags. Same for fireworks.
And don’t let your kids bring a foam toy sword in their carry-on bag. Do they hope that cuts down on sibling skirmishes?
Waiting On Burgers
No hoverboards. Hummus is OK, but ice picks are not. No word on cheeseburgers.
You can’t take a kirpan in your carry-on bag even though it’s considered an instrument of mercy, grace, empathy, and goodwill. It still looks like a sharp dagger.
No realistic replicas of explosives in your carry-on or your checked bags. Rocks are OK.
You can carry on your vacuum robot, but don’t even think about bringing the airbag out of your vehicle.
Inviting Rosie
I did notice there was no comment about protein powder. I’m flying in a few months, but I’m considering skipping the protein powder and bringing along Rosie the robot vacuum instead.
TSA says she’s safer than I am with a scoop of whey.
In times of grief, when the weight of loss is heaviest, we may think we will never heal. Will we ever let joy fill our steps? Yes, because God never leaves us. Hope- the confidence that our loss does not destroy us - heals us.
Hope Heals
God’s peace is a balm to heal our wounds. Allow His love to cascade over each wound like a warm shower, cleansing and restoring. He will bring newness to our hearts and hope to our souls.
He offers His hand, so that, together, we can walk until we can skip. Then we skip like children until we can run. Then we will run together through meadows of soft grass and singing birds.
Dancing in New Life
God offers the joy of dancing in the rain, and singing with voices blended in joy.
He asks us to trust that He will heal. In Him, we will love again. We will laugh and sing and embrace life.
Hope is not wishful thinking, but confident assurance that God’s compassions never fail. His mercy won’t disappoint us. Those are new every morning.
God’s Mercy Brings Hope
God’s love never leaves us. Never.
Trust Him.
Prayer Hope in Grief
Heavenly Father, You understand the pain of grief so well. Yet your mercy and kindness reach out to us to bring healing and new life. Thank you for your compassion and promises of joy and strength. Help us trust you in every moment, for You are worthy of our hope. Amen.
One day early in my grief, I cried to God: "Today I hurt. A piece of me wants to run far away, to hide in a deep cave, to ignore all my responsibilities, to let someone else care for me."
God gave me answers that helped me in my pain. Those may help you in yours as well.
You need to take only one step today, not climb a mountain. You don’t have to plant your flag in the peak.
God’s Invitation to Rest
Rest for a bit at the edge of the path. Let tears come if they will.
God is your strength and your love. And He will wait for you.
The pain will never stop. It will fade. Don’t worry about how long the process will take. Think of one step.
One step into the light. Into joy. Into a future that is filled with love and kindness.
Rest for a bit with the Lord. Let His music of comfort and healing fill you. His strength will carry you today.
Why One Step Is Enough
One step forward. Just one. You don’t have to win the marathon.
You only need to take one step.
A Prayer for Strength in Grief
Father God, your strength is enough to heal the pain of grief and loss. Help Your loved ones step into Your light and rest in Your love. This process takes time, but You promise never to leave us. We are grateful for your sure presence. Amen.
For additional Christian grief resources, see the Grief Support page on my website. I have also written a book, Cutting Through Despair: Dare to Hope, which explores stories of people overcoming hardships as they trust God.
God is with those grieving loved ones. He will heal your wounds, give you His presence, and never leave you.
Of course, you hurt. Grief wounds the soul. Loss mutilates peace.
How Does God Heal a Broken Heart?
Listen to God’s voice. His words pierce the pain. Healing happens as He pours His love and restoration into your wounds like a healing salve.
Pain is not evil, but only a sign of a wound. You have lost a part of yourself. Where the two were one, one was torn away.
Your wounds paralyze you at times. But God will heal you. He promises newness and transformation.
God will never leave you. You will never be separated from God.
How to Rest in God’s Embrace
Rest in Him. Lay your head on God’s chest. Feel His arms holding you into a warm embrace.
He is with you always, to the end of the age.
Always.
A Prayer for the Brokenhearted
Dear Lord, thank You for Your promises to us. We ask for healing even as pain rolls over our minds and bodies. We ask for Your mercy and Your strength to help us. In Jesus name, amen.
One day you will stand with the angels and with your beloved to hear songs of worship and joy. Can you imagine it?
But not yet.
As surely as you can tune your ears to hear future music, you can listen to the sounds of creation worshiping Me now. Do you hear the sweet sparrows and mourning doves lifting their voices? Smell the summer rain and taste the richness of a berry. Rub your hand over the bark of a tree. See how it rises in strength and persistence?
Notice the world around you.
No hardship steals away the enduring beauty of My creation. In this world there will be hardships, but I have already won the victory. You need not be afraid. Only look at Me and what I create.
We are on the path to eternity, where you will experience the full beauty of My love.
Keep walking.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. Psalm 19:1-4a NLT
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