The Whisper Within

" Believing that God powers strange coincidences and the journey that lies ahead."

Author Archives: Lisa A. Riehm


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As Kipper and I walk the tree-lined streets, the orange, red, and yellow leaves captivate me. I feel like I’m no longer in Santa Barbara but transported to a beautiful, crisp fall day in a Chicago suburb. 

I recall the easy friendships.

Those I love and those who have loved me.

Maybe I’m feeling a little bit sentimental, but I get that way around the holidays.

I stopped at a park bench, texted a few friends, sent private messages on Facebook, and called some others.

Here is the list:

– the boy who had a high school locker next to mine, who always had a smile and encouraging words.

– My first California friend.

– the girl who keeps my friend group together

– my high school best friend

– my sorority pledge sister

– the boy I worked with when I was 16.

– my college roommate.

– my siblings. 

The message is always the same. You saw me. I see you. I love you, and you are important to me.

That’s what’s so great about Thanksgiving. It is a day to pause and really love and be thankful for those who have made a difference in your life.

As Kipper and I make our way back home, I see this rock on the sidewalk that says it all.

“When the power of love overcomes the need for power. The world will know peace.”

So this Thanksgiving…

Who can you call?

Who can you see? 

Who can you love?

Make the call. Send the text.

Will you do it?

Have a blessed Thanksgiving!


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Kipper and I headed out for our usual morning walk, but we didn’t get that far. 

As we walked down the sidewalk in front of my house, we pulled to the side to let two strangers pass us.

A two-second friendly “hello” turned into twenty minutes of easy banter among neighbors.

“You’re from Chicago, too?”

“What’s your favorite pizza, Lou Malnati’s or Gino’s East?”

“What brought you to Santa Barbara?”

“ You’re divorced too?”

“Where do you go to church?”

I could easily share why I am here and the hope that only Jesus can provide.

 We giggled, we shared stories, and exchanged numbers. 

 My neighbor responded, “This was truly unexpected, but I needed this today. I needed hope.”

If you surrender your plans to God, the unexpected can happen.

Tomorrow, before you get out of bed, ask God, ‘Who can I love?’  Who can I encourage? Who can I see? 

You may change a life, or your life may be changed.

Are you willing to ask three little questions?


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This morning, I sat on my front porch and said, “Good morning,” to a woman passing by.

She replied, “Oh, hello,“ and then quickly added, “Sorry I didn’t sleep last night, but it’s OK. I’m happy since my daughter is waiting for me at the park.”

I responded, “Well, I’m still going to pray that you sleep tonight.”

Her face contorted, and I noticed her welling up.

Her mouth quivered, and she said, “Thanks. I need prayers. I lost my husband on May 5th.”

I rushed down my steps and smooshed her with a hug.

She pressed her body into mine and allowed me to rub her back as she wept on my shoulder.

I asked if she would want me to pray for her.

She nodded, so I did.

She gave me one last hug goodbye.

I walked up my stairs, into my house, and poured myself a cup of tea.

My tea slogan was, “Your strength is shared when you are present for others ”I giggled and thought, only you, God.

It was a good reminder to really see and love others.

Can you slow down to see others?

You may be just what somebody else needs. To love is the greatest gift.

“If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13: 3 NLT


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A Prayer. And a Miracle.

My daughter Tarah and her boyfriend Nolan visited this past weekend.

We walked a forest preserve and Nolan took a picture of us.

I threw my purse in the grass and asked for a second picture.

We walked the path for about five minutes, and I suddenly realized in a panic that I had forgotten my purse.

I ran back only to notice that it was already gone. 

For the next hour, Nolan and Tarah circled the park, going to every entrance, hoping that somebody would drop it off.

When they were gone, I prayed, “God, I’m so sorry for being prideful and wanting to be cute by taking off my purse.”

When they returned, Nolan asked,” How are you doing?”

I replied,” I’m fine. I’m giving this to God. Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. So I’m praying.”

After another half hour, we called an Uber to go home.

In the backseat, Tarah asked me, “How are you doing, mama?”

I replied, “I’m still praying for a miracle—that it will just show up on my front porch.”

When we arrived home, I plugged in my dead cell phone and received a text.

Lisa-

This is Josh. I found your bag. Please call me at this number.

I giggled. I danced. And called Josh.

He explained that he saw my driver’s license and drove the purse to my house, but he did not feel comfortable leaving it on my doorstep.

Minutes later, he drove the purse over and received a big hug from me. I told him how I never stopped praying for a miracle.

The next day, we hiked again and took a picture, but this time, it was different. I learned a valuable lesson: Never take your purse off to take a picture.

And…

Never stop praying! Never stop thanking God, even for small miracles! 

Praying it’s not a a life hack to get my way. 

It’s more proof that I believe God is real, that he sees me and he loves me… And he loves you, too

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6


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The 4th annual “What If’ challenge. 14 cards in 14 days. Will you join me? #Valentine’s Day

This is a repost from years ago, but I believe it’s time to to see each other and really love each other. Let’s do this!

Read the story that inspired it all:

Today I called my ninety-five year old widowed client. I reviewed her investments and cash flow needs and then the conversation turned personal.

“How are you Rosemarie?”

“Honestly Lisa, lonely. If anyone tells you that these are the golden years, punch them in the face for me.”

I giggled. We talked some more and then I responded, “Call me if you need anything even if it just to talk.”

Later in the day, I walked up town to pick up my work mail, and bought some stamps. And not just any stamps but Valentine’s Day stamps.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a sucker for love and not the puny Dum Dum suckers but more like the HUGE Charlie and The Chocolate Factory rainbow sucker type of love, and Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday.

I left the post office and mentally made a list of who I would send cards to. Rosemarie for sure. My widow clients.

A smirk covered my face WAIT! What if I made this a challenge?

So here it is. I am challenging all my Facebook Friends to send 14 cards in the next 14 days…AND SHARE THIS to their page.

If my 500 friends send 14 cards, that is over 7,000 cards sent. If they share the ‘What If’ challenge, the results could be endless.

So can you do your part? Send 14 cards & share this post?

Think of ninety-five year old Rosemarie, wouldn’t it be sweet to share love to someone who may be lonely.

Who knows? By giving love you may feel love.

Who’s in? LET’S DO IT !

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12


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Too good not to share!

Yesterday, I walked into church and remembered that it was the one-year anniversary of my father‘s passing.

At my church, we sing very nontraditional worship songs. The first song ended, and then I heard an old familiar tune, “How Great Thou Art”, my dad’s favorite hymn.

I burst out in a combination of crying and laughing. 

It felt like it was my dad, smiling down from heaven saying, “I’m here. Heaven is real!”

I couldn’t get any better of a Whisper Within, than that.


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2 for 2. 8 for 8.
A Christmas challenge.

Walking through the CVS parking lot, I looked up at the sky and thought, I haven’t heard from you in a while, God. Let me run into someone here; then I’ll know you’re with me.

I filled my shopping cart, and as I pushed it down the paper towel aisle, I heard,”Lisa.”

It was Jill from Church.

With a slanted smirk, I told her how I prayed that I would run into somebody. Then I added.,”So I heard on K-LOVE this week that you’re supposed to daily hug eight people for eight seconds to release stress and increase endorphins. Wanna do it?”

Jill obliged.

I finished my CVS shopping trip and headed over to Trader Joe’s. Throwing a smirk up at the sky, I thought. Ok, God, you’re one for one. Wanna make it two for two?

I entered Trader Joe’s, made my way to the produce section, and noticed a little old lady from church.

I mentioned to her that she looked familiar from church, and she said,” You’re the greeter, aren’t you?“

I confirmed it and then told her the stories about praying to run into someone familiar and about eight-second hugs.

I leaned into her and squeezed her tightly as I repeated,” I love you, ” eight times.

We released each other and I noticed that she was welled up with tears. She told me that she needed this today because even though she’s ninety-three years old and has family here, she still feels lonely.


I finished shopping and walked through the parking lot. Smirking at the sky, I thought, Not bad, God! Two for two.

As I write this, I recognize there are so many lonely people . This Christmas, are you willing to spare eight seconds to love like Jesus? How about finding eight people to hug everyday.
What if we all did it?


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The Whisper Within is not always nice.

“Ya, whatever! I gotta go.”

Yesterday, I abruptly ended a call with a love one. The bitter taste in my mouth stung like Tabasco sauce.

As I drove to pickleball, that conversation played like a broken record in my mind, justifying my position.

While playing pickleball, as the ball flew in my direction, my thoughts darted all over the place. I was right. I deserve to be angry.

But did I? Nope!

These thoughts may have been my own, but maybe it was the devil’s evil scheme to cause a wedge between me and my love one, or maybe it was The Whisper Within, the Holy Spirit, convicting me of my sin.

The game was over. I felt convicted.

I quickly texted my love one. I hate it when we disagree and fight.

This morning, I read my devotion:

“Where do I need to rest from walking in the heat of the day? I imagine my face kissed by the light of the Lord. Where do I need to turn my eyes to Jesus again?”

I realize my shortcomings. I never said I’m sorry. I just said, “I hate when we disagree and fight.”

I was convicted once again. 

Sometimes, the Whisper Within, the Holy Spirit, has the job of not being nice.

I want all my interactions to be kissed by the light of the Lord. When I fall short, I want to be quick to ask for forgiveness. How about you?

I know I can’t do it on my own because sometimes I may fall short. That’s why I am grateful for the Whisper Within who not only guides me, but sometimes convict me.

“If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly.”Ephesians 4:26


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This morning, I read my devotion and then slowly read the Bible verse, “God will meet all your needs.” Philippians 4:19

As I sipped my last drop of coffee, my mind was taken back twenty years ago, recalling a shopping trip at Target with my two little kids.

We enter Target. The red dot sale section tempts me, but I admonish myself. Oh boy, not the dollar bin. Stick to the list and only the list. 

We fill the shopping cart and head for the check-out lane. Oh, man. Look at the lines. I pull behind a string of carts and look around. OK, where’d they go? They were just right here. I see both kids, one check-out lane over. There they are.

Mia whines, “I want gum!” My eyes glare sideways at her, making a scene.

“Stop it, Mia!” Luke admonishes. “You can’t have any.” He straightens his baseball cap and grabs her hand. 

“But I want it!” 

“Mia. No. Mom’s in line. We need to go.”

“But, Luke, there are Pokémon cards for you.”

Frustrated, I swing the cart out of the checkout line. Mia!  Not wanting to draw any more attention, I amble over to the kids.

“It’s okay, Mom,” Luke says. “I don’t need anything.”

I drop to my knees. Fold his little body into mine. And whisper, “I love you, Luke Griffin.” 

“I love you too, Mommy.”

“You’re my good boy.”

My Hallmark moment with Luke is contrasted inches away by Mia’s full-on tantrum. Keds stomp the tile floor and pigtails flop every which way in a whirlwind of anger. Look at her! I’m so embarrassed.

I push back my cart in anger and leave it in the aisle. Great. “We’re outta of here!”Great. Didn’t get anything today. That was a wasted trip.

Waving my index finger in Mia’s face, I scowl, “That was not nice.”

“Yeah, Mia. You know Mom can’t buy that stuff. Gosh!” 

“Okay, Luke. That’s enough.”

 Irritated, I toss the kids in the car, start it, and turn on the radio to muffle my sobs. Help me, God. I’m barely surviving as a single mom. Life should not be so rough. I peek in the rearview mirror.

“Mommy, are you all right?” Luke asks.

“Yeah, honey.”

“Don’t worry, Mommy: ‘God will meet all your needs— Philippians 4:19.”

I look over my shoulder. “What did you say?”

“God will meet all your needs. It’s our memory verse this week.”

 I feel like I’ve been tossed into the middle of It’s a Wonderful Life when Zuzu says, “Daddy, teacher says every time you hear a bell ring, an angel gets his wings.” Then George exclaims, “That’s right! That’s right!”

I wipe my tears, reach back, and squeeze his hand. “That’s right. That’s right. Thatta boy, Luke Griffin.”

“No problem, Mommy.”

I look up at the clouds. Nothing gets past YOU. You know what’s going on and YOU used my little boy to teach me a lesson.


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For most of my life, I recited the Lord’s prayer like this, “ Our Father, who art in heaven…” and imagined God way up, beyond the clouds in the sky, unreachable.

However, I recently learned that the Greek word for heaven is ouranos, which also translates as air.

He is not a distant God, but instead he is near.

Knowing this, I lately feel the desire to not just read about God or talk to God like he is up in space sitting on a throne with angels surrounding him, but I desire to feel God.

What about you? Do you want to read about God or feel God’s presence?

God is close as the air we breathe or I like to say He is just a whisper away.

Psalm 139:7-8

“Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.”


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The stock market closed. I ate lunch and then spent some time talking to God.

My prayer room

“What should I be doing, God?”

Not even a second passed. God’s response was immediate.

Praying for people.

I closed my eyes and recalled the story I read last night.

D.L. Moody carried a list of a hundred names in his pocket, names of friends who had no relationship with Jesus. His love for his friends was a secret, a hidden prayer on their behalf. He prayed by name everyday for their salvation.

When he died, ninety-six of the names on the list had become answered prayers.

The last four attended his funeral and accepted God as their savior that day.

I opened my eyes and thought I want that!

I grabbed a pen and a notebook and scribbled a few names down.

What if…what if we ALL did this; carried a list of friends, people we know from yoga, the gym, colleagues, neighbors, or the barista, and prayed that they would know and love Jesus like you do?

Ask God for faith, hope, and love to be your motivation.

Write the list.

Let’s do this!!!

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1


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This blog is many weeks old. I got busy with life instead of doing God’s purpose.

Today, I heard the Whisper Within, “Write the blog!”

Here it is.

I grabbed my pen. I grabbed my journal, and the scribbling began. 

I woke up today thinking, I know I have friends here, but for some reason, after visiting Chicago and seeing friends that I’ve had for thirty or forty years, the transition back to Santa Barbara is always a little harder. 

Do you see me, God?

Are you with me?

A ding alerts me that I have a text. It reads.

“Be strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power, put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 

I quickly texted my friend Lisa back, “This is the same verse I was reading this morning and was going to send to you.”

Lisa texted, “No way!!! God HAS to be hearing us and listening to us. Why else would we both use the same verse on the same day? Amazing!”

I smile softly and whisper,” Thank you, God! You are with me!”

This may be a strange coincidence but I think NOT. God orchestrated this.

Two people in Christ are always stronger.

“Three strands are not easily broken.” Ephesians 3:12

I smile thinking of Lisa. Thirty-eight years ago, in the fall of 1986, we became friends and sorority sisters at WIU. 

The following summer, even though we lived several hundred miles apart, we kept in touch. We scribbled letters to each other every week, and our mailboxes were always full.

Today, we text most mornings an encouraging scripture.

Here’s the encouragement for you.

Lisa may be my sorority sister, but now she’s something better. She is my sister-in-Christ.

Get yourself a prayer partner, someone who loves you like a sister.

I do believe, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” James 4:8 

And I do believe, by drawing close to God, you will see Him in all the strange coincidences and hear the Whisper Within.


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Many of you have asked me “How do you hear God? AKA “The Whisper Within.”
I read this quote today.

“In a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others… [and] to be constantly visible (for visibility these days seems to somehow equate to success), do not be afraid to disappear, from it, from us, for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence.*”
~The British actress, film-maker, and poet, Michaela Coel.

Simply put, you can’t hear God if in your prayers you are doing all the talking.
Sometimes you need to be quiet. Wait. And listen for the Whisper Within.


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This weekend I went on a date. My friend Stephen once told me when you go on a date, make the effort. Wear the dress. I did.

The date was not a match.

I could’ve been disappointed and asked God, “Why have you kept me single for twenty years?”

But as I walked the beach on Sunday, I felt pure joy and contentment.

I am not Renée Zellweger’s character,Dorothy, in the movie Jerry Maguire, who says to Tom Cruise, “You complete me.”

I am already complete.

I have almost everything I’ve ever wanted.

Children I love.

Friends I love.

A career I love.

Clients I love.

A dog I love.

A life I love.

No life is perfect and I have had my fair share of heartaches but if God could give me all of this, who knows what’s in store.

I plan to be surprised and YES… IF and WHEN the guy comes along, I know many of you will celebrate with me ( do the happy dance) and say, “She waited all this time, and God was faithful as she waited.”

What are you waiting for?

Feel free to comment I would love to hear.

Trust God.Wait on God. He is faithful.

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” Isaiah 64:4


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Driving to Pickleball today, I heard on K-LOVE, a Christian radio station, about the story in the Bible of an ax head falling off into the water, and the disciple was worried since it was a borrowed ax. 

The narrator on K-LOVE said something about the fact that the ax head was found and that God is concerned, even with our small, insignificant problems.

As I was driving, I threw up a prayer to God. “Ok, God, here’s a small problem. I’ve been sucking at Pickleball lately. I know they’re my friends, but I think they’re getting frustrated playing with me. I know this is silly, but let me play well today.”

Well, you can probably guess how I played today.

GAME ON!

You can believe that my game was just on today….OR 

You can believe, like me, that God smiled down on me today and answered the silliest, smallest of prayers.

As I drove home, I threw a smirk at the sky and said, “You do see me!”

Once again a good reminder to talk to God like a best friend. He wants to surprise you


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Sitting on my porch today with Kipper, I reflect about my quick trip to Chicago, my former home.

There were many highlights.

From sharing giggles and stories of sleepovers, tent outs, and riding our bikes until dark, with my childhood girlfriend…

To surprising one of my very good friends, Mary Kay on her retirement party and commiserating with college girlfriends.

Lisa, Liz, me, and Mary Kay

To celebrating my sister‘s birthday with her a grandkids…

My sister & I

And of course, seeing my son Jake and Mika.

After having my heart so full with all these loves of my life, it always is a little hard to go back to Santa Barbara. To be honest, sometimes I’m sad.

I always pray over my transition. God really gush into me so much love and friendships. Let me not feel alone.

When I reflect on this past week, I see God at work and my prayers answered.

I received a hug from my neighbor Jaime at yoga, another neighbor asked me to attend the Summer kickoff parade with him. Another friend reached out to play Pickleball. Kevin, another neighbor, asked me to hike with him this week.

But then I received a huge surprise.

Kipper and I went for a walk and when we returned, Ken my neighbor, showed me that last night he scrubbed my windshield clean.

To me, this is ALL GOD. It’s like God is announcing to me, “I see you, Lisa. I love you, Lisa.”

Don’t we all want to be seen? Don’t we all want to be loved?

I do miss my friends in Chicago, but I think God was also showing me, I have friends here. More importantly that he listens to my prayers and answers them.

I know for certain he will do the same for you.

Now, if I could just find a way to be part-time in Chicago and part time in Santa Barbara, that would be my ideal.

But in the meantime, I will keep asking God and trusting him for his perfect plan.

The question I have for you is, who can you see this week? Who can you really love?


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If I’m honest, this has been a tougher season after my father’s passing, but the other day, hope showed up in my backyard!

GOD is GOOD !

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”
Proverbs 13: 12


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What a week in Santa Barbara. Record rainfall. Whipping wind. And gushing floods.

And just like the pouring rain, I was flooded with caring texts and calls inquiring about my safety.

I don’t have a beach-front cottage (even though I TRIED for six months to get one.) God had a different plan. He wanted me to wait for his plan, which was a cute little cottage on a hill with lemon and orange trees.

Because I live on the hill, I was safe in the storms. But not only did God provide for my safety but for love.

This past week was my birthday.

Anyone who knows me, knows I crave love like a deep-dish Chicago pizza. Boy oh boy, this week, God delivered a stuffed pizza with an extra amount of cheese. I was oozing, bubbling over with SO much love.

So many calls, texts, cards, and gifts were received.

I may not have a husband, but I have something better: a GOD who loves me, sees me, and provides me with an abundance amount of love and friendship.

He doesn’t let me settle for just one slice of the pizza, a.k.a. one man, but serves up a whole deep dish, Lou Malantis’s pizza, delivered to me fresh and hot every day.

But who knows, maybe, just maybe, I’m waiting for that perfect New York-style huge slice of pizza, that’s coming my way.

In the meantime, he fills me with complete contentment and simple joy.

Thank you GOD for ALL OF THIS!

You provide my needs.

What are you waiting for?

Can you be patient in the wait?

What can you be thankful for?

“God will meet all your needs.”Philippians 4:19


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The 2nd Annual “What If LOVE challenge. “10 cards in 10 days.”Will you join me? #Valentine’s Day

Friday, my ninety-year-old widowed client called me requesting money. I reviewed her investments and cash flow needs, and before I could hang up the phone, she said, “I love you, Lisa .”

My heart dropped. I responded,

“I love you too, Joan.”

I hung up the phone, humbled. Joan reminded me that don’t we all have the basic human desire to be loved.

I glanced at my calendar and thought, It’s almost Valentine’s Day. Time for the “What if love challenge.”

I walked uptown to pick up my work mail and bought some stamps. And not just any stamps but Valentine’s Day stamps.

For those of you who don’t know me, I am a sucker for love and not the puny Dum Dum suckers but more like the HUGE Charlie and The Chocolate Factory rainbow sucker type of love, and Valentine’s Day is my favorite holiday.

I left the post office and mentally made a list of who I would send cards to. Joan, for sure.

So here it is. I am challenging all my Facebook Friends to send ten cards in the next ten days…AND SHARE THIS on their page.

If my 500 friends send ten cards, that is over 5,000 cards sent. If they share the “What If LOVE challenge,” the results could be endless.

So can you do your part? Send ten cards & share this post.

Think of ninety-year-old Joan; wouldn’t it be sweet to share love with someone who may be lonely?

Who knows? By giving love, you may feel love.

Who’s in? LET’S DO IT!

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:12


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You may recognize that I’m posting a lot more than I used to.

For three years, when I was suffering from Lyme disease, most mornings, I woke up feeling like I had the flu.

But finally. Finally, I am enjoying living in my neighborhood.

Here are some of the highlights of the week.

Kipper, chasing birds and the sunset.

The sunset from my front porch.

Tonight tree lighting in my neighborhood.

Tonight, as I walked home, I felt God whisper to me, saying, “I love you, Lisa.”

Some call Santa Barbara heaven on earth. I have to agree.

I am truly amazed by the goodness of God!

What can you be grateful for?

feel free to comment.


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If you need a Friday giggle.

This morning. I saw I had a missed call from my 97-year-old client

I called her back and she answered clear as day.

We talked about her investments, and then she asked me,”Are you married yet?”

I said no and she responded, “I’ve been praying for you for over twenty some years. I told God I don’t understand why you haven’t brought Lisa husband by now. What are you OVERWORKED?”

I giggled.

Then she added, “I’m still gonna keep praying. It’s never too late.”

Helen is amazing at 97!

I love that she has been persistent in prayers for 20 years. Who can you pray for? Can you be persistent like Helen ?


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This morning I searched for a word document for a client, and ran ironically across a file labeled Thanksgiving.

I opened the file. And a memory was sparked.

Thanksgiving 2016. My first Thanksgiving in California.

My daughter, Tarah, brought home college students who couldn’t make it back to their oversea home.

Since the table was going to be filled with ultimate strangers, I gave everyone the below questions ( scroll down ) and told them to choose to respond to all of them or at least one of them.

Not only was my table stuffed with the traditional dinner, but it was filled giggles and smiles.

Even if you don’t have strangers around your table, I think these questions may be fun to do with family members, you have known all your life.

Give it a shot! Make up your own. Why be boring? May the conversation be overflowing, silly, and JOYFUL!

PSALM 118:24 (ESV)

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

What are you grateful for?

What are you proudest of?

What’s been the happiest moment of your life so far?

What are the most important lessons you’ve learned in life?

How would you describe yourself as a child? Were you happy?

Who has been kindest to you?

How do you want to be remembered?

If your great great grandchildren could listen to this years from now: is there any wisdom you’d want to pass on to them? What would you want them to know?

If you could honor one person in your life — living or dead — by listening to their story, who would that be, what would you ask them and why?

PSALM 118:24 (ESV)

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.


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Such a wonderful weekend in Chicago, visiting my sister and my dad.

At 90 he is doing well and was happy. It was a good reminder to sing more… And dance more.( click on arrow for video)

Be filled with JOY.

I am grateful for this SWEET time with my dad.

“Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life.” Proverbs 16:31


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NEED HOPE? Tired of being patient? THEN read on!

A client, hope, house, and a happily ever after!

Today, I received a call from Judy, a client. From the sound of her voice, she was bursting with joy.

She wanted to let me know that soon she would be updating her address because she was moving right next door to another client of mine, her best friend.

Then, she shared the story with me.

“When I was sixty-five and retired, Karen and I always thought it would be fun if we had townhouses right next door. There was only one problem. A cute 90-year-old lady named Ann lived there. “

I encouraged her to continue telling the story.

“Well, Ann turned 90 and 95, then 101, and finally at 103, her family decided that she needed more care and moved her into assisted living.”

“Wow! “ that’s a story, I exclaimed.

Judy said,” Wait, Lisa. That’s not the end of the story. In the last year, Ann, the 104-year-old who grew up on a farm, said,’ It’s time to go back to the farm.’ She died shortly after, and now I have bought her home and now have my dream!”

I exclaimed, “ Now that’s a story!”

“ Yes, patience paid off, and it’s been worth the wait! Even at 80!”

So I ask you today, what are you waiting for?

Are you putting all your hopes, dreams, and thoughts on what you’re hoping for OR on God who can answer prayers?

Be patient in the wait!

God knows what he is doing!

HAVE HOPE! Let hope spring eternal!

“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” Romans 8:25


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Feeling discouraged?

Need hope?

Kipper feeling discouraged 🫤

Wishing you could just call God and get direction, comfort, or blessing?

Well, look up!

Kipper and I ran across this phone booth on our walk downtown this morning.

I entered the booth and found this.

FREE Calls.

I pressed *10 to get God’s Blessing.

Talking to God can be this easy!

Here’s how I talk to God. “ Hey, God. It’s me, Lisa. Here’s what is going on.”

He wants us to talk to him like a best friend.

Hope may be a call away.

NO CHANGE REQUIRED!😁

Psalm 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”