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Guest post: Running down memory lane

The following is a guest post written by my new friend Jackie Brindle. She invited me to be a guest on her Be Encouraged! podcast and we realized we have a lot in common. In this article, Jackie takes us on a run with her and helps us discover the gift of memories and God’s glory on the way. If you’ve been around my blog for a minute, you know that this is totally my jam. Enjoy!

By Jackie Brindle

I am going to be honest: I love receiving gifts. I like giving them, but it’s so fun to receive them, right!? Especially the ones that are out of the blue which can be the very thing that makes my day.

Sometimes gifts don’t always have to be wrapped up in a bag or tied with a bow. I got one tonight, and it wasn’t wrapped up at all!

Take a walk with me down memory lane and meet my grandmother Leah Rubin. She always carried mints in her bags. She walked with her shoulders back, dark maroon lipstick on, and had a deep love for sweets! 

She is no longer with us, but there are days I think of her. A memory of her pops up when looking at pictures, eating coffee ice cream, or a bagel and cream cheese. Oh, and anytime I hear the song, “You are My Sunshine” or sing it to my own children.  Grandmom used to sing to us, especially on long car rides. 

Tonight, I got the most beautiful and unexpected gift. It happened to appear on my run, when I glanced up at the most incredible painted clouds dancing across the sky. It literally took my breath away. It was like the gates of heaven were opening up. 

I was frozen. In awe of the sunshine piercing through the clouds. Of course, in true Jackie fashion, I paused to take a picture of it. 

I breathed in the fresh air and let it out slowly.

As I continued on my run, I thought about my grandmom. I let her smile marinate in my mind. This memory was such a gift! It opened up more memories like a river rushing down stream. I was instantly reminded of what she used to call me: my precious. She really knew how to make me feel so special with the warm glow of her smile much like the golden hour sunset. Her gleaming grayish-blue eyes lit up when I walked in the room. The clouds in the evening sky reminded me of her eyes. 

I thought about one time in particular I had with her, when there was a storm at night, and my twin sister and I were sleeping over. We were probably 5 or 6 years old, and I missed my parents. I was upset over the loud storm.

We heard the thunder and dashed to the doorway of her bedroom. I saw her reading the newspaper. Her glasses had slipped down to the edge of  her nose. My grandfather was doing the same beside her. My grandmother glanced above the black and white pages. 

She put down the paper and invited us in with a smile and her arms spread open wide. We rushed over to her and she wrapped us up in her soft arms. My grandfather told us stories and jokes to cheer us up too. 

That feeling is something I will always treasure and carry with me. That simple wink from God was a gift in that moment.  

The memories that flooded back of my grandmom as I was running, really put things in perspective on how God sees me. I think He sees us all as His precious children.

I imagine Him smiling down on us like the rays of sun through a cloud. No matter how we feel when we are living life, rolling through the motions, I believe God is right there for us.

He is giving us that little wink, a memory, a sunset, a gift for us to open if we look up while we are walking or running. 

-Jackie Brindle

I think He examines our hearts, much like my grandmother or that special person you are thinking of, that sees only the best in you.  

If you need some reminding today of how “precious” you are, let these words soak in to encourage and inspire you: 

You are already so incredibly creative, talented, smart, and beautiful inside and out. I know I don’t see all the things that you are doing, behind the scenes, but God does. I get it. Days can sometimes run altogether or there are days I need that little piece of love from up above to shine a light on my path. This encourages me to keep putting one foot in front of the other. 

Take a look outside. Look at the stars. You are among many, yet no one is like you. Let this moment stir up all the goodness of those memories of that person who sees you just as you are, unapologetically you! 

Recently, I started reading the devotional called, Walk Run Soar by Dorina Gilmore Young. Her devotion titled, “He Refreshes my Soul,”  challenged me to take in the world around me. Dorina coached me to go for the run, not for the pace, not to compete with others, or for the sake of a workout. Rather, it was an opportunity to recharge and embrace all my senses. It was about letting go with each strike of the foot and looking around at God’s creation.

That was the very thing, I needed to do that evening. I am so glad I took the run down memory lane! 

Friend, I hope the next time you take a walk or go for a run that you lift your eyes to the sky and God meets you there with a sweet memory. 

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Sometimes you seem far away. Life can be easily filled with distractions that draw me farther away from you. The truth is you never leave my side and you are always there with arms opened wide. Thank you for never leaving my side. I appreciate the way you remind me of the sweetest memories among days that are harder than others.  

Help me to put my trust in you, not that you have set me apart, among all the people in the world, for your glory. Help me to seek you in the day, as it is a gift that I will always treasure. 

In Jesus name, 

Amen 

Jackie Brindle is a wife to Grant, mom of 3, and an elementary school teacher, in Central, Pennsylvania. She lives on coffee and Jesus. Jackie loves running, writing, and speaking. She started a blog called, “Be Inspired and More” and also podcasts at “Be Encouraged!” Connect with her here. 

Check out my conversation with Jackie on the Be Encouraged! podcast. We chat about how to deal with unexpected change and “Finding the Starting Line Again.” Oh, and we also talk about running, writing, mom life and travel! It’s a fun one!

*Do you have a copy of my latest book, Walk Run Soar? If you are a runner or walker, this one is for you. More details about this new devotional book here.

*Photo by NOAA on Unsplash.

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October 23, 2020 Categories: General, Guest Blogger, Running

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Meet Dorina

Aloha, friend! If you love stories, you are in the right place. I write about grief, glory, running, food, and more. I hope these words inspire you to chase after God’s glory in your life today!

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Recent Posts

  • Life’s storms reveal our roots April 24, 2023
  • Mind the Gap: How God meets us when we are not enough April 24, 2023
  • An unexpected adoption: You are loved as God’s daughter February 15, 2023
  • Top 10 Books I Read in 2022 January 29, 2023
  • We Can Bear Witness to the Glory of God in Each Other December 21, 2022

Popular Posts

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  • 10 meaningful sympathy gift ideas for widows and families
  • My refuge: Resting under the shadow of His wings
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After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.

We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.

Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven.

My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.

I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.

Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/

#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter

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Jun 7

Open
After my husband soared to Heaven eight years ago, my three daughters and I found ourselves on an intense grief journey. I never imagined being a widow at age 37 when my girls were just 2, 5, and 8 years old. Despite the heaviness of grief, I knew God was near. And I longed for my daughters to experience His comforting presence too. That’s how we started chasing God’s glory together.
We started with a nightly rhythm of watching the sunset together. We would step out onto our back patio or pull over on the side of the road and pause to watch the colors waltzing across the sky.
Initially, my girls asked, “Mama, why do we watch the sunset? It happens every night.” But soon they discovered that every sunset was unique. Little by little, this rhythm became something we looked forward to. There was something calming and comforting for the girls and me as we watched God paint the sky each night. Our Creator God, the Master Artist, met us in the brush strokes of sparkling gold and emerald green. The girls would point out the ribbons of ruby red and deep amethyst sashaying across the sapphire blue sky. We would smile and delight at the jewel-toned colors. We felt like it was a kiss from their daddy in Heaven. 
My daughters are teenagers now, but they still love to chase sunsets and tell me about the ways God showed up in their days. They text me photos or pull me out to the balcony to watch His glory chasing across the sky.
I have learned we can plant seeds of hope and faith in our kids when we go glory hunting together.
Read the full article on @herviewfromhome here: https://herviewfromhome.com/widow-at-37-gods-grace/
#chasingGodsglory #sunsetchaser #glorychasers @waterbrookmultnomahkids #sunset #parenting #gloryhunter
99 12

☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day!

In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves!

@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee!

🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?!

#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie

View

Jun 7

Open
☀️ We cherished a day of celebrating our Giada’s 8th grade promotion in Disneyland yesterday! Her sisters rallied and saved money for their tickets. Instead of a party we took a family trip to the happiest place on earth! 😃 It was a surprisingly cool, overcast day! 
In the younger days, I spent more time taking them to the bathroom and making sure everyone had a buddy for roses. Now I’m enjoying Disneyland with older kids who plan the trip, strategize which rides to go on and when. We ate some yummy treats, laughed a lot, played games in line, and made it to most of our faves! 
@shawnyoungruns has definitely influenced our fam with his love for all things Disney! I am not sad about it. As for me, I’m in it for the Disney-themed food! 🥨 🍍 🍹 🍔 🍦My new fave is this pineapple churro with Cheema cheese dipping sauce. Woweee! 
🏰 Are you a Disney fan? What’s your favorite park, ride, food, or show?! 
#globalglorychasers #disneyland #disneyfoodie
82 4

Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special!

What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites!

And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers

View

Jun 4

Open
Last night the six of us went to see the show SIX and to cheer on my talented childhood friend Valerie Maze who was the conductor/keyboardist. This was my birthday/Mother’s Day gift from my hubby, and it was so special! 
What a phenomenal and engaging way to learn about history and the stories of the six wives of Henry VIII! The music, the lights, the voices, the dancing made for a truly unique and memorable show! The Pantages Theater in Los Angeles is also one of my favorites! 
And the biggest treat of all was hanging out with @valerie.maze afterwards. We haven’t been together in YEARS! And this was the first time she met my Shawn and Meilani! #sixshow #broadwaymusical #globalglorychasers
38 6

Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God`s glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.

Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week`s edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you`re there so you don`t miss a thing.

In this week`s Glorygram, I`m sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don`t miss it!

#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions

View

Jun 3

Open
Hey friend, do you know about my weekly Glorygram? Every Saturday I gently drop this gift in your inbox, which includes an encouraging essay about chasing God's glory, a monthly book giveaway, recommendations, recipes, and more.
Consider this like sitting down at my table for some homemade lumpia and a tall glass of mango lemonade. My heart is to share in community about what God is teaching us. You can hop over to DorinaGlorygram.Substack.com and read this week's edition. Be sure to Subscribe while you're there so you don't miss a thing.
In this week's Glorygram, I'm sharing a story about the power of asking questions and five sisters who asked a question that changed history. Don't miss it!
#glory #encouragingwords #substack #glorychasers #hesed2023 #biblereading #bibleteacher #leadership #powerfulquestions
24 7

Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!

-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?

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Jun 2

Open
Join me for a stroll through the next psalm of ascent. Psalm 128 is a wisdom psalm that walks us through what it looks like to enjoy the blessings of the Lord. If we have the fear of the Lord and choose to walk with Him, we get to step into this abundance!
-What does walking with Him look like for you in this season?
22 2
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