s a v o r i n g
grace-filled moments

Stories from a soulful introvert and enthusiastic learner with a thirst for God

*Hello, my friend!*

I’m Deane and I’m delighted that you have stopped by. This is the place where you’ll find nurturing stories from the life I find myself living, along with tales from the past that illustrate the healing and hope I’ve found.
I love God (a lot) and believe that the path toward wholeness begins with the wonder of being so very loved by Him.
So, like a hug after coffee and good conversation, I pray you will take a deep breath and find something to savor as you navigate this safe place written with you in mind.

meet deane

T H E B L O G

Writings of God’s Love, Hope, and Restoration

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Two of my neighbor friends and I did our usual early morning walk. The snow had just begun and our neighborhood looked like a glittery wonderland as we made our way up the street. (I always wonder why I love that glittery look. Maybe heaven will be lined with sparkly brightness and this snowfall is just a taste of our future joy.)

We’ll get our snowshoes out tomorrow, and trek off our normal path and into the woods. Finally! We’ve been waiting.

It’s a New Year! 2025!

A few weeks ago, while sitting with friends around the dining room table, I perceived a lull in the conversation. Spotting my chance, I eagerly spoke up.

Hey! Has anyone picked their word for 2025?

Silence.

Quickly backtracking, I (cheerfully) asked if everyone had picked a word for 2024. And if so, did they remember it?

I found another awkward silence.

Since I knew the word of one of the people sitting at the table, I reminded her. She smiled uncomfortably and suddenly found something to study on the tabletop.

Oh shoot, I thought. Remember Deane, not everyone is a word-of-the-year nerd like you are.

Meet Me At The Table

So lately when I pray, I sometimes visualize Jesus sitting across from me at the table. I want to sense his presence. So I wait. Words are few at first. I linger, sensing and welcoming his closeness. I realize his invitation for me to rest with him.

Spooky Night Visitors

Our family moved into our big old house thirty years ago.

In those years, we have received spooky night visitors looking for hospitality.

These scary outsiders did not receive an invitation nor did they knock on the door, asking for entrance.

No.

Usually, they squeezed their way in when it was dark and we were asleep in our beds.

The Blue Sapphire Year

Somewhere between silver and gold shines this lovely deep blue stone, celebrating 45 years of busy careers, raising children, celebrating weddings, inviting cherished in-laws, rejoicing over five dear grandchildren, burying our parents, many mission trips, growing in our faith, and finding Jesus to be so important. Now, in our retired years, we find ourselves serving others and giving back to the life we have truly cherished.

May I Have More, Please?

Do you have days when you feel like you just aren’t enough?

Maybe you think you aren’t rich enough, organized enough, smart enough, thin enough, or pretty enough. Or perhaps you’re worried that you don’t have enough of what it takes to accomplish the work you’ve been asked to do.

And so you pray, God, may I have more, please?

Striving for more seems to be a part of the American Dream!

I should be able to work hard, make more money, get more stuff…and ultimately feel “more” happy.

But I wonder, Is that how it really works?

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S P I R I T U A L D I R E C T I O N

A journey of restoration

Christ lovingly invites you and me to live in freedom with our wounds gently held and our fragile hearts lovingly tended. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” He calls himself gentle and lowly in heart, and offers Himself as a place for us to find refreshment for our souls. God’s grace stitches the tender seams and enables His Spirit to affirm His love again and again as we lean our weary hearts into the truth of His precious loving kindness.

Are you feeling weary?

That's the journey I'm on. Because of God’s compelling love for me, I'm beginning to unfold my cautious arms to trust that the mended places are beginning to heal. I can trust God while stepping into the truth of who He is and who He has created me to be. Transformation starts with relationship - which begins with spending time together. Talking and listening. Being vulnerable. Waiting. Trusting. Tip toeing out of hiding. This is just the first step of the spiritual direction pilgrimage and I’d love for you to join me.

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E - N E W S L E T T E R

s a v o r i n g grace-filled moments

Hello, my friend!

Writings of God’s Love, Hope, and Restoration

A journey of restoration

s a v o r i n g
grace-filled moments