While orbiting with a heart full of thankfulness today I observed some decisive behaviors of thankful people. These stood out to me:

Take time to appreciate all that is around us.                        

Hear actual words spoken and look at the speaker

Answer with sincerity and respect

Notice acts of kindness from God

Keep a blessing journal

Fuel up our minds with the Word of God

Understand others only need the love of God in us

Love unconditionally

Now is where we live                                              

Empathize with faith

Share what has been given spiritually

Share what has been given physically

Some days are just dancing days! The first kiss, the raise, the job acquired, the new born baby (or perhaps two!), but the best spontaneous dance comes when we are given a gift unexpected. One that is truly a miracle that only God can do! I remember a song I’ve taught children for years:

Oh who can make a flower?

I know I can’t can you?

Oh who can make a flower?

No one but God it’s true!

There are a thousand verses for this song for so much in life only God can do. If you are anything like me you’ve spent a lot of planet rotations trying to make something appear, change, or disappear- only to discover no one but God can do it!  Today God showed up for our family and did what we could not do! And we dance and give Him all the glory! We stand in faith doing our best to obey the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Together we seek God to adjust our character stuffing us full of the fruit of His love and mercy. Letting patience work is hard. But longsuffering pays off building irrevocable trust in the God we love and serve.  Opening our ears wide to His voice guides us to the miracle. God moves and we dance as David danced- many join with us, but others may not approve and distance themselves from a joy they cannot understand- but we dance in awe of a living loving God who is here………………………..

“By standing firm you will gain life.” Luke 21:10 Message Bible

It was just routine- the annual check up. The kind you take along a snack and a good book as you never know how long it may take! After running a few errands I arrived needing to stop at the restroom. I asked at the check in desk and she said I could go back in a minute. Since I was going she requested that I take get a” little cup” off the table in there and bring them a sample. The minute seemed like an hour and by the time they opened the door I was running. I locked the door and turned to see the commode was at the end of the room which was oblong and about 6 feet long. I tossed my purse down and sat grateful I had made it. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the “little cups”. They were placed right by the door 6 feet away! I managed to stop and keeping my legs together did an Olympic dash for a cup- I only knocked off one of the 2 stacks. Grabbing a stray I waddled back to the commode awkwardly getting the cup in place- it quickly overflowed.

Relieved I set the cup on the handicap rail while I put myself together. Reaching for the soap I knocked the cup off. Doing a mid-air catch I managed to save about 1/8 of the contents- the rest splattered all over the room. At this point they were knocking on the door asking if I was ready. I grabbed paper towels and threw them all over the floor. Washed my hands and outside of the little cup. There was a justifiable concern about how I might smell since I wasn’t sure if the splatter hit my jeans. Staff knocked again and I calmly opened the door handing her my cup. “I hope that is enough” I said “there was a little accident. I am so sorry, but the bathroom will need attention before any one else goes in there. I heard the CNA’s 4 letter word as I was ushered into a room.

“There’s a time to laugh, and a time to cry” (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

I chose to laugh.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22

I left the office laughing and feeling better than I had in awhile.

Planet Dad was always telling Planet Carol to lighten up. Perhaps if I had listened this time of repair and healing may have never been necessary. To all my planet friends who have their own stories let’s give ourselves permission to laugh at our blunders today! Tomorrow will come, so let's be as healthy as possible to face it……..



Complete abandon! The joy of the thought excites us. To walk away from it all and be free! This comes so easy to children pictured here by my grandchildren playing in the huge pile of leaves they raked and used blowers to make. Not pictured are PaPa who is still blowing back into the pile what flies away in their fun and Mommy (not I) lugging the rolling can full of leaves back to the creek. These children are not thinking about the homework ahead, the test tomorrow, the friend who hurt their feelings at school today, or how they are going to pay the bills this week with an empty account. That is rarely true for us as adults.

 I attempt to abandon the worries in my life by driving out of town to enjoy the scenery, visit a unique place- and this past weekend to take the grandkids on their first train ride pulled by a very old steam engine! I enjoyed kicking back and taking in the moment.  However, I never achieved the abandon the children did hanging out the windows, singing train songs and even asking the conductor if he spelled believe when he punched their ticket- to which he replied, “ If you believe it spells believe it does!”. (If you haven’t seen “The Polar Express” treat yourself this Christmas and you will fully understand the wonder in their eyes when he said that.)   As I closed my eyes to the sounds of the steam engine on the tracks it took effort to ward off thoughts that could easily have ruined the moment.

 “I have told you these things that in me you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

How many times have I read that verse? To the degree I believe it I can experience the abandon of life’s troubles fully in my heart. My eyes will always see the world as it is, my ears will hear the sounds of the times, but my heart can know Jesus has overcome the world! My present and my future can exist with Him…………

Only in America do you write, “all the leaves are gone….and the sky is grey…” We live with high expectations of what we can have, should have, do have and in general are just full of ourselves. My beautiful leaves I posted a picture of just a week or so ago now lay as a fluffy blanket of colors across the front yard. I decided to go out and find some perfect leaves to do something creative with. After several minutes of swishing through them I discovered there was not a flawless leaf in the bunch. The most beautiful ones still had a small hole or tear in them. I sat in them on the porch still sifting, but realizing the beauty I beheld was composed of hundred’s of leaves of which not one was perfect

Visualize humanity as the blanket for a moment. One person with scars standing alone is not an appealing sight. Though we may appreciate some things about them or empathize with obvious concerns, we are usually not compelled to jump in and share their life. Yet that same person may stand in a group of people who overall seem connected, content, enjoying relationships and in that setting we are drawn to the group possibly not noticing any scarred among them. The concept of God being three in one is impossible for most of us to grasp, yet is clearly stated in the Bible that it is so. (If you haven’t already I highly recommend reading “The Shack”. It will jar your thinking in this matter!) My point is that we were not created to stand alone. It is in our joining that we find life-love-healing and so much more. It is in the willingness to connect the good, the bad and the ugly with others who are willing to be transparent that we blossom and grow. It was in thinking I had a job to do for God that was mine alone that crashed this planet over a year ago. Repairing my connections to God and others knowing there will always be flaws surfacing in and around us that may need attention- yet not fearing they will cause rejection- has brought healing. I left all the leaves in the yard and have asked my husband not to rake them for a few more days. I want to enjoy their beauty as they shine as a whole in the sunlight.

For anyone who knows me, alcohol just never passes these lips. There are a hundred reasons I could go on about why but I have no need to bore you with my own convictions today. Let’s just suffice to say that because this is true there are several funny stories about moments (I think there are three) that it slipped pass. The first was celebrating an anniversary in a very fancy restaurant. When it came time for dessert they brought us a “House Special” which I couldn’t get enough of and went on and on about! My husband laughed the whole way home as I was not quite myself. The dessert had liquor poured over the top. The second time I had decided that perhaps a wine cooler would be ok for one night and went and bought some to pack for our overnight trip. Again I really liked it, but ended up being sick half the night. Once again my husband was laughing because what I bought was not wine coolers but some kind of beer. That has been some years back. Last week I simply could not refuse to participate in a champagne toast offered at my daughter’s new office as we celebrated her passing the bar! The rest of the day I was a bit tipsy! No one really believes that is possible, but they don’t live in my body!

I am thinking about this because I have more than 3 stories where I have been so happy in the Lord and the presence of The Holy Spirit that people have considered me drunk. A friend and I almost didn’t make it back to our hotel after a wonderful meeting with the Lord at a conference and I am sure anyone who saw us definitely thought we were plastered! It is so sad to me that in general people don’t think Christians are fun or enjoy life when the truth is the joy of the Lord brings the best buzz of the universe! It’s the rules and expectations that scare us away. Sometimes I slip into that thinking too. Yesterday I was reading John 6 around verse 40 in The Message Bible: “This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life”. I was curious about the word align so I looked it up in the dictionary. It means to arrange in a straight line. I am creative-messy-flexible-a free spirit- there was no hope for the likes of me! Someone somewhere had taught me that verse meant I had to be perfectly like Jesus- I had to do it- I had to make it happen and I have never been successful! So then I looked up straight (as an adjective): extending uniformly in one direction without bends or irregularities. Completely hopeless now I looked down and saw the definition again- straight (as a verb): to make straight. What great news! I cannot be the adjective, but Jesus is the verb- forever with me correcting my bends and irregularities so that I am able to stay aligned with Him.

I prayed a stupid prayer today. I don’t even believe in stupid prayers and always tell others no prayer is stupid. Mine was, “Lord, I need your assistance…….” The second the word assistance came out of my mouth I was repenting! That prayer meant I thought I was in charge and would God mind putting on an apron (just as my daughters wore my Mom’s homemade aprons at Christmas) and help me out! What really floored me was that if I prayed it today there is no doubt I have prayed it before. God was good to reveal my error immediately as I have come to know more than ever this past year that what I need is His Lordship; His leadership; His wisdom and guidance. Knowledge about whether or not it is His plan for me to be involved in any given situation! (It was a huge eye opener when I first heard the Lord tell me to walk away from a situation as it was none of my concern!) I used to think being a Christian was responding to every need I saw!


There is a roller coaster ride going on in the minds of many of us who are truly seeking to become one of the planets who stay the course and not stray from our God given rotation.  Every time we stray causes upset in an otherwise ordered stable universe. The question making us dizzy is this.  “Am I a worm or a son/daughter of God?” Amazingly I find there is a simple explanation. If I walk in my own strength I am a worm to be eaten or crushed. If I walk in the knowledge that He has saved me, forgiven my sins, filled me with His Holy Spirit and covered me with His blood shed for my salvation I am His son/daughter! Then I will pray, “Lead me Father and I will follow. Nothing is too hard for You!” This is the mindset that has stretched my roller coaster ride from end to end and made it a highway of grace and mercy!

No writing posted on Finding Planet Carol has elicited the response of posting this photo of the tree in my front yard bursting with the beauty of its fall color. It gave me great pleasure to share this moment with all my friends across town, in other states, and in a few cases across the ocean. Some who responded live in places where the colors of fall never come. Seeing the tree triggered memories of the past or just thoughts of what an amazing world God created. Why are we moved by this single simple image? It has nothing to do with human effort or hard work. It simply is there- a gift from God to be enjoyed. We are drawn to its beauty and like the way it sizzles our emotions as we pause a moment to take it in.

I came upon this scripture below and it has caused me to stop and meditate on this photo. My conclusion is that I have tried to become this tree everyone admires and is drawn to. For as long as I can remember it has been my desire to be someone who encourages others. The problem this verse revealed to me was I was making lots of effort to be something that in reality only God can create. Whether or not someone believes in God- the truth is they are drawn to the tree God made! If I want to be an encourager I must know that anything people are drawn to in me is a result of my allowing God to make me more like Him. The part those who observe my life want is the fruit He has produced! Finding Planet Carol is really Becoming Planet Carol as I allow God to do His creative work in my heart, mind and soul. Let’s tape this one to the computer until we really get it!

“May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-

those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ-

for this will bring much glory and praise to God.”

Philippians 1:11 NLT

One day there will be a bestseller out there called Sweet Pea Time. A children’s story I plan to write based on my granddaughter who only has one speed- her own. She is unmoved by “Hurry up!”, “Run, we’re late!” or “Buckle your seat belt right now!” I have watched her for 7 years now and though she may change her direction, she remains in control of how fast she actually responds. Though that trait may be somewhat frustrating at times, it is also a picture of the world through a child’s eyes- a child who likes to focus on the details of wherever her mind may be at the present. What I am quick to call disobedience- closer scrutiny reveals her response to be more like God than I. He is timeless, time free. God definitely has an agenda and a plan, but the thought that a day is like a thousand years to God puts busyness and hurry into perspective.

Slowing down can be laziness no doubt about it, but it also amazingly proves to often be more productive. The turtle wins the race with the rabbit because he stays steady, focused, and undistracted. Many have been the days I am totally exhausted and at the end of the day it is hard to tell you what I was doing!  Often I was showing off like the rabbit in the race and losing in the end! I am convinced there has never been a generation who needs to consider more seriously what is truly important and focus time there before all opportunity to do so disappear. Many of us are living in the long list of things needed to be done and the piles of stuff we simply walk around overwhelmed in our inability to face the mess we’ve made. For life to become more satisfying we will have to clean up the mess to be able to live in God’s desire- that we are joyful!

“This is the day the Lord has made- let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalm 118:24

While we are cleaning up our mess here is another verse to paste on the mirror:

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God,

you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:36

Now let me think, who can I get to help me clean up this mess, I will never be able to do it myself, nor do I want to............looks like I may need to read this again..............................

As a writer, I am moved by the words of others, sharing their passion for expressing what they are feeling. A niece of mine recently said, “I must remind myself especially now, that never have I been faced with troubles that have not given birth to opportunity.” Incredible insight for such a young person! Having experienced many troubles in my years I can attest to the truth of this statement. Life is never without bumps, curves, and even major disasters. It is the facing of each one individually that shapes our destiny. In addition, as horrific as some of the tales I could tell, there has never been a situation where I could not find someone else facing something worse. I didn’t see them as long as I lay buried under my pain, but as I came out there they would be asking for my love.

I was deeply humbled by my inability to fix myself or my situations. This created a fresh and sincere empathy in my heart for others in their pain. What a perfect opportunity to really help another! Even so, there are times my arrogance surfaces and I regress to my fixing mode. Leaving humility behind, I become the next disaster to myself or someone else! Planet Carol has a solid goal to stay in the humble place. Of course I won’t be good at it! However, there is no doubt that the effort to have my eyes see more clearly, my ears hear more accurately, and my lips speak more cautiously will keep me seeking God’s wisdom. To those who are fighting hopelessness today I share a prayer Paul prayed:

“I pray that God, who gives you hope, will keep you happy and full of peace as you believe in him. May you overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 15:13

If the early bird gets the worm, why am I so chubby? Oh, I forgot- I used to get up before the sun, but these days I am definitely more in the night owl category. Driving my husband to work today I was reminded of the freshness in the early morning that is never reproduced any other time of day. The frost sits unmelted and untouched by footprints. The glimpse of the sun rising lasts only moments before it’s full. Individual sounds are audible and we notice a dog bark, a door close, or a single car drive by. Children are even quiet at the early morning bus stop.

Perhaps I sound “old” talking this way, but I feel the opposite. Morning is the awaking to life. Most all of us are very aware of the morning rush that leaves us feeling frustrated and overwrought wondering if our kids will be marred as we toss them pop tarts. We throw them in the car hollering heartfelt I love yous even though are minds have already gone to what is going to be the result of our being late! (For all you home school Mom’s who think this doesn’t apply read it anyway- I know too many of you and getting off the home routine can cause more stress and upset than the Mom’s driving kids to school!) If we live our life stuck in routine and are convinced change is not possible that person is no longer even reading this. But if you are reading, you believe somewhere deep in your heart you have control and truly desire not to miss anything special for yourself or your family. We can choose to start our day with moments that reflect the parts of life that are the most important to us.

Here are some tips for making the morning peaceful that have worked for Planet Carol. These may not be what will work for you- but let your imagination free and change something:

1. Before you go to bed decide what is bothering you the most- dust- the email you haven’t written- unfinished work assignment- your hair needs color, etc…. Make a decision how you can fix that one thing and follow through. Believe it or not that will change the pressure level you wake up with in the morning.

2. (the least favorite) Get up 30 minutes earlier than usual (or 30 minutes before those twins wake up!)

3. Sip your wake up drink a few minutes in silence in your favorite chair before starting the routine- You deserve a minute to breathe and will handle the stress you face more calmly having had this moment rather than the 30 minutes in bed.

4. Discover a way to wake the children besides hollering, “If you don’t get up you won’t get any breakfast!” Our children can still sing all the songs on the Patriotic Mickey Mouse Record we played on the phonograph player on school mornings. My granddaughter is a different person if you sit and hug and talk a few minutes before asking her to get up.

5. Decide on outfits before you go to bed. If tomorrow is going to be extra rushed it never marred my grandkids to sleep in their school outfit as shocking as it seemed to me!

6. Have a family prayer in the car on the way to wherever you go each person taking a turn throughout the week. Have a favorite scripture you say every day- Kids love repetition and we adults need it! Don’t play the radio- sing if you want music!

7. For all you single people- pray as you start your day- peace begins with individuals who seek it sincerely in their own hearts.

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying  This is the way; walk in it."  Isaiah 30:21

Stop or Go? Linger or Hurry? What is it that is driving our decision making on a daily basis? A red stoplight generally stops someone, but not always. The yellow light really leaves the door open for individual interpretation. At a luncheon or a party what causes us to linger or hurry away? Is the stress of life for everyone so high pitched we just simply can’t allow ourselves to decide to enjoy the moment until we are fulfilled; work until we have reached our goal; linger in a conversation until each has been able to have their say; read until the climax appears; help someone until they are ready to be alone?

Granted there are responsibilities in this life and they are real. But a life ruled by responsibilities has little satisfaction because in the end the responsibilities have used us up and we no longer have definition. I know- I am the author of Finding Planet Carol. I am happy to report that finding her has been very rewarding and very freeing. I really like her and she is definitely fun to be with. Why? I have discovered that in every minute of every day there is a choice and I am free to make it. Walking closer in the presence of the Holy Spirit I find guidance in what many would consider the silliest of things for the Holy Spirit to spend His “holy time” bothering with. It is amazing how I am drawn to the lilies in the field……

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. (Matt. 6:28-29)

The beauty in me is the presence and flow of God that comes through this vessel. Nothing I can do can compare to what He does when I submit to His decision each moment of the day. Others see that- others want that- others know it is not something Planet Carol accomplished, but rather they see the supernatural coming through a human.

Am I making the Holy Spirit decisions all day every day now? Nope. But when I do I feel as free and beautiful as a field of lilies (or a pot of tulips) at sunrise……………….

This morning I woke up to a text that startled me and responded before even a sip of coffee. It proved not to be bad news, but rather a huge blessing. Then I made phone calls to address health concerns. I started cleaning from the weekend in order to set up my studio for the week. Then I thought about Jesus being with me and went to the piano to worship and spend time with Him. Things were smooth after that. Reality hit me that as much as I say what I am and what I do believe- my actions speak louder than words. My day could have had a more peaceful start if only I had gotten the order right. Time with Jesus first!


It has been a lifelong challenge- partly because I hate routine and on the positive side because I know He’s there all the time even if I am not thinking straight. Either way I am robbing myself of the daily strength, joy and wisdom He has for me when I don’t have a conversation with Him early in the day. Some would question my true love for God, commitment to Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life with this honest admission. God doesn’t- He knows me. He wants to talk to me, but he won’t make me sit and listen, He is there whenever I turn my attention fully to Him.

Often I miss a very special moment the Lord had planned. I get a glimpse of what was- like looking at the photo above. It was a special moment but since it is completely out of focus I don’t get to enjoy it. Just as I have busily scurried through space thinking I was keeping the universe from falling apart I applied “my creative ideas” over the years to fix this. I even bought a 2 cup coffee pot to plug in by my bed so I didn’t even have to get out of bed to wake up enough to have some time with the Lord! Nothing worked as I am a professional circumstance excuser- I could convince you and sound perfectly and even admirably righteous about why my morning commitment is not kept daily.

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” Proverbs 24:3-4

There is always the possibility to change and the Bible says God’s mercy is new every morning. Though I will walk with the Lord all day today, tomorrow morning I will take advantage of that mercy so that His wisdom can fill me before I start- there is a rare and beautiful treasure I don’t want to miss…….