Over the past few years, I have seen cancer invade my friend Rachel’s mom’s body, eventually resulting in the death of her mother. Now, cancer is attacking her husband’s body. I’ve seen Rachel grieve and pull herself up from despair. Losing a mother is especially difficult in your thirties, and you have your own children. […]
How to Celebrate Mother’s Day Without Your Mom Read More »
“Blessed is she who has believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:45) A picture popped up on my phone the other. Sometimes, these little reminders of the past draw in sadness, but not this time. I smiled when I saw it. Then tears. My
Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-Us Read More »
I didn’t expect grief to show up today. My father passed away about three months ago. I spent most of the first few weeks crying off and on. The weight of his death seemed almost too much to bear. I’m new to this grief thing. I’ve lost grandparents to death, friends to unlikely circumstances, communities
Grieving with Hope Read More »
And that’s when I heard it, “Hold space for them.” “Hold space for them? What does that mean?” I asked God. I sat there in my car in the parking lot of the addiction rehab I taught at and knew God was calling me to embark on a journey with these women. As I hung
Learning to Hold Space for Yourself Read More »
“Find your own rhythm,” we’re told. But in a world full of comparison, how is that done—especially with a million messages bombarding us each day? “Strive for greatness!” “Nothing is impossible!” “Ten steps to success!” “Three keys to a wonderful marriage and family!” “Follow me, and I’ll give you all the answers!” It’s exhausting. Instead
Find Your Own Rhythm and Flourish Read More »
My husband murmured a few days ago, “It’s been a rough year. I’m ready for 2018 to be over.” It’s true it’s been one crazy year filled with heartache, brokenness, and weariness, but not hopelessness. Not once did I feel hopeless. The truth is we aren’t hopeless when we fully understand why Jesus came, died,
What Christmas Came to Destroy Read More »
The pool in our backyard had just been completed, and all my children except one jumped in without a second thought, without fear. But my youngest was four years old, and until now, he hadn’t been around much water. As I helped him put on his bathing suit, I told him how much fun he
Life really could be full of the best things if we could learn to let go and trust our Maker. Are we not the vine and He’s the gardener? When all 7 of us prepare the ground for a garden, my heart races with anticipation for the coming harvest. I wrote more about it Here.
The Secret to Abiding During the Pruning and Cutting Read More »
Do you ever tell yourself you’ll finally have peace when the house is clean and de-cluttered? Or when the kids finally get along? Maybe when things settle down in the world? Or when that one relationship is restored? Maybe you’re waiting to be financially set, and debt is paid off. It seems we are always
How to Maintain Peace Despite Your Everyday Struggles Read More »
It’s Sunday before Thanksgiving, and the kids are off the whole week, and I just want to hide under the covers. Can we just skip over this silly holiday? I’ll be completely honest; I struggle deeply during the Thanksgiving season. I know I should be extremely excited and grateful for all that God has done and
1 Simple Way to Live Thankful Read More »
