Mail a package at the Post Office. What’s your reaction when that’s on your to-do list for the day?
Do you grimace and brace yourself for long lines and less-than-optimal customer service? Or do you smile with anticipation that your day is about to get a little brighter?
I smile, because I know I’m likely to see my friends, June and Rhonda. They are Window Clerks at my local Post Office in Marietta, Georgia. And they should be used as role models for great customer service for the entire USPS.
Blog
Posted on 12.25.2015 by Jody Noland
Posted on 12.18.2015 by Jody Noland
Oh, the things we take for granted.
How often do we succumb to grumbling about the little annoyances of life (like lines at the Post Office or traffic nightmares) and overlook our myriad blessings?
As parents, how often do we focus on our children’s shortcomings? And ignore the countless things they do right? Has it become easier to list their faults than to recount how uniquely and wonderfully they are made?
Posted on 12.11.2015 by Jody Noland
Merry Christmas! Do you struggle with the stress of entertaining during the holiday season? Does the thought of having friends and family in your home cause your anxiety level to immediately increase?
Posted on 12.04.2015 by Jody Noland
What would a transcript of your recent prayers reflect?
Are your prayers vague and generic? Or are they specific and bold?
Do you play it safe…not asking God for anything too big for fear of disappointment?
Or do you ask for things that are impossible for you to accomplish in your own power?
For many years, my prayer life was inconsistent and tepid. I might cry out for help in a moment of desperation, but on a day-to-day basis, I had little confidence that my personal needs and desires really mattered to God.
Posted on 11.27.2015 by Jody Noland
Whether you’re newlyweds or celebrating 50 years together, it’s possible to breathe some fresh life into your marriage relationship.
Sounds like a great idea, right? But how?
Begin the monthly celebration of “Companion Appreciation Day.”
This bit of relational genius was created by my young friends, William and Monica Warren. The Warrens have only been married for 2.5 years and they established this beautiful monthly tradition before their own wedding in 2013. William is now 30, Monica is 29.
Posted on 11.20.2015 by Jody Noland
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted on 11.13.2015 by Jody Noland
Have you ever arrived at a new location in the midst of a dense, heavy fog? Perhaps you can decipher a few signs, but that’s about it. Noises might seem magnified but you can see little about your surroundings. The uncertainty can be unsettling.
That happened to me years ago on a visit to Wengen, a quaint little village in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. It’s a charming, bucolic spot, accessible only by cog-wheel railroad. There are no automobiles in the village.
Posted on 11.06.2015 by Jody Noland
“Life’s not fair!”
“God answers everybody else’s prayers…just not mine.”
“I can never catch a break.”
Have any of these thoughts ever crossed your mind? Be honest. If you’re like most of us, you’ve done at least a few laps in pools of negativism.
Posted on 10.30.2015 by Jody Noland
I just spent 5 glorious days on a sailboat in Southern California with some long-time, dear friends.
The beauty was breathtaking: incredible sunrises and sunsets, gentle breezes, clear turquoise waters. Such tranquility. Such a sweet time of refreshing.
Posted on 10.23.2015 by Jody Noland
I love fall. I love the changing colors of the leaves, the bright blue skies and the cooler weather. I love college football, pumpkins, chrysanthemums, and the (sadly decreasing) focus on Thanksgiving. And I love the smell and taste of freshly baked pumpkin muffins!
If you live in the greater Atlanta area, there’s a likelihood you’ve already been given this recipe. I’ve been making these delicious muffins for most of my adult life, and have shared this recipe with everyone who has asked.
And that’s a lot.