SandyGriffin, Nashville, TN (2026)

12/17/2017

Four women - Debbie, Yvonne, Erin and me - who met in Thursday night bible study.
Helping one of our own move.
Church without walls.
Back into serving.
And Jesus smiles.

12/07/2017

Beau.
In July I found out that my sweet four-legged friend did not have arthritis. But he had cancer in his foot. Under, in, and around the pad of his little foot.
Chemo, the specialist said.
I just knew that I was not supposed to go that route. Not knowing why.
My sweet dog hopped around on three legs and whimpered when he slept. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched him sleep with pain. Moving his leg with the unhealthy growth to try to get some comfort.
A call from a friend. Was I willing to try a holistic approach? A mixture of water and sodium with little chlorine? Two dropper fulls a day.
A week later Beau was walking without a limp. Tumor free.
Today we met Beau's new veterinarian in Arizona. She looked at me; confused. It says on the computer he has cancer. On his foot.
Yes, I said. He did.
She looked and yet again.
"Sandy, there is nothing there. No sign that he ever had anything."
I stood there watching her. With an incredulous look on her face.
"I have never seen this happen before. Ever."
I reiterated that I just knew I was not to go the chemo route for Beau.
She looked at me and smiled.
"You're a Christian, aren't you?"
Then I smiled.
And I could feel Jesus smiling too.

12/07/2017

Beau.
In July I found out that my sweet four-legged friend did not have arthritis. But he had cancer in his foot. Under, in, and around the pad of his little foot.
Chemo, the specialist said.
I just knew that I was not supposed to go that route. Not knowing why.
My sweet dog hopped around on three legs and whimpered when he slept. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched him sleep with pain. Moving his leg with the unhealthy growth to try to get some comfort.
A call from a friend. Was I willing to try a holistic approach? A mixture of water and sodium with little chlorine? Two dropper fulls a day.
A week later Beau was walking without a limp. Tumor free.
Today we met Beau's new veterinarian in Arizona. She looked at me; confused. It says on the computer he has cancer. On his foot.
Yes, I said. He did.
She looked and yet again.
"Sandy, there is nothing there. No sign that he ever had anything."
I stood there watching her. With an incredulous look on her face.
"I have never seen this happen before. Ever."
I reiterated that I just knew I was not to go the chemo route for Beau.
She looked at me and smiled.
"You're a Christian, aren't you?"
Then I smiled.
And I could feel Jesus smiling too.

12/07/2017

Our daily walk around the block. A chance meeting with a neighbor. All because of a Minnesota Vikings hat on a front yard Santa.
Joe Jackson, as I was to find out, was standing in the front yard.
"Minnesota Vikings" I exclaimed loudly, as I saw the cap on the snowman.
"Yes" he answered. A man of few words. But enough to tell me that he played for the Vikings a number of years back.
I told him that I was from Minnesota, still have 10 siblings that live there. And they all love football. Especially the Vikings.
He smiled.
"Can I take a picture with you?" I asked him. I knew my family was going to be excited.
The best part? Without saying a word, I KNEW that he was a Christian. I could feel Jesus all over him.
When I returned home and told my daughter, Jacki, about him, she Googled him.
Joe Jackson, currently an evangelist to athletes and conference speaker to Christian men's groups.
Just a walk around the block with the babies and Beau?
I think not.
More like a chance encounter with Jesus.
How great is our God!

11/29/2017

Love outside of the box starting today. That neighbor that annoys you with everything they do? Love them. The challenging child that pushes youto the edge, and then does it one more time? Give them an extra hug...just because. They may be pushing you as a means of asking for extra love by ways of attention; give them Jesus. That family member that speaks bad about you, the rushed server at the restaurant, drivers that cut you off in traffic, church member that seems to snub you...they are all your neighbor, begging to be loved if even just a little. Each one of them is Jesus in disguise; are you going to deny him, or help fill the Jesus-shaped hole each of them is begging to be filled? Extend grace, love the unlovable today, and love well. Jesus is waiting...

11/29/2017

I knew her from Nashville.
Kept in contact with my friend after she moved to Kansas.
Yesterday Barb was in Tempe for business. First time in Arizona.
Thank you LORD for arranging this biz trip here. Somehow I think her trip here was a gift to me.
We ate, we laughed, we talked. And we loved.
And the greatest of these...love.

11/26/2017

We met a couple weeks of years ago in Nashville. At a church.
A year ago they moved back to Las Vegas.
Three years later Lora and her husband are visiting her son and his family in Arizona. Not far from where I live.
She’s a one-in-a-million friend. The kids that makes you know for sure that a loving God exists.
A take-your-mask-off and be-real kind of friend.
We talked. We cried. We laughed. And then cried. Some more.
Mostly we loved.
Thank you Papa for the gift of today.
Amen.

11/24/2017

Family time!

11/24/2017

Hiking off yesterday’s feast.

11/24/2017

Thanksgiving Day is over, Christmas is fast approaching. So many decisions. What do I want to give others for Christmas? Coins and a smile for every Salvation Army volunteer I used to walk past? Forgiveness for past misunderstandings? Grace for hurts that have put scars on my heart? What do I want for Christmas? Forgiveness for the times I opened my mouth and spewed out words that hurt? A hug on the days when life gets too heavy and I feel all alone? A smile and a kind word when stinging words are embedded in my soul? Love...when I don't deserve it? Choose your gifts wisely...wrap them in love...put a bow of grace on top...

11/24/2017

87 degrees and sunny.
Turkey, stuffing, desserts and family gathered around the large table.
Jacki and Chris hosting in their new home.
Babies, food and love.
And the greatest of these is love.
Praying all had so much to be thankful for...and people to celebrate with.

SandyGriffin

12/17/2017

12/07/2017

12/07/2017

12/07/2017

11/29/2017

11/29/2017

11/26/2017

11/24/2017

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11/24/2017

11/24/2017

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