Best Devotions of Barbara Johnson, The

If Barbara Johnson has brought comfort to thousands of women, it’s not because her life has been comfortable. Barbara has known more heartbreak than most of us ever will. But that is why her encouragement truly inspires, why her humor makes us smile, and why her insightfulness can move us to tears. Through thick and thin, Barbara has held onto God--and so she is uniquely qualified to help us see how God holds onto us and won’t let go, no matter what life dishes out. The sixty selections in this book represent the cream of Barbara’s devotional crop. Kick your shoes off, settle back, and unwind. Or give this book to someone you know who would enjoy a chuckle, a reflective pause, an "Aha!" moment, maybe even a tear. Insights and encouragement lie within--and more than a few grins! If Barbara Johnson has brought comfort to thousands of women, it's not because her life has been comfortable. Barbara has known more heartbreak than most of us ever will. But that is why her encouragement truly inspires, why her humor makes us smile, and why her insightfulness can move us to tears. Through thick and thin, Barbara has held onto God--and so she is uniquely qualified to help us see how God holds onto us and won't let go, no matter what life dishes out. The sixty selections in this book represent the cream of Barbara's devotional crop. Kick your shoes off, settle back, and unwind. Or give this book to someone you know who would enjoy a chuckle, a reflective pause, an 'Aha!' moment, maybe even a tear. Insights and encouragement lie within--and more than a few grins! About the Author Barbara Johnson was the founder of Spatula Ministries, a coauthor of various Women of Faith devotionals, and the author of numerous bestselling books, including Boomerang Joy, Living Somewhere between Estrogen and Death, and Stick a Geranium in Your Hat and Be Happy. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Have You Checked Your Wardrobe Lately? Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another . . . but above all these things put on love. COLOSSIANS 3:12–14 NKJV Like everybody else, I have to get up and get dressed every day. Too often I go to my closet and throw my hands in the air: "I don’t have anything to wear!" My husband, Bill, shakes his head and laughs. "No really," I whine, peering into my closet and surveying the rod of hangers drooping with weight. "This jacket is too worn," I say to myself. "It’s got little fuzz balls all over it. This dress has gotten too small. That blouse hangs wrong at the shoulders; why did I let my sister talk me into buying it? This little number is totally outdated; I can’t wear that. The blue sweater is the wrong color for my skin, and the pink one has a stain. Here’s a good blouse, but I always feel frumpy in it. This one’s uncomfortable; it chafes. This skirt is too long. This one’s too short . . ." I sit on the edge of my bed and pout: "Nothing to wear!" Bill is already back in the kitchen, oblivious to my dismay. Seasons come and go. Clothing styles change. Differ-ent regions of my anatomy fluctuate in size. Fabrics wear thin, fade, and lose their appeal. Good thing I have another closet with unlimited choices. I have a wardrobe that will never fade, wear out, or go out of style. Best of all, these clothes fit perfectly each time I pull them out and put them on. Have you checked your spiritual wardrobe lately? Recently a friend sent me a reminder about the apostle Paul’s list describing the garments of the Holy Spirit in his letter to Colossian believers. First on his list is tender mercies. Also known as compassion, tender mercies are acts of empathy for weak or hurting people. They are usually motivated by feeling the same kind of pain as oth-ers or being able to imagine it. I call tender mercies the underwear