Growing closer to the One who sustains it all
I clean dishes every day. Laundry was scheduled for twice per week, but somehow it needs attention twice per day. My children, professional snackers, never cease to request another dietary provision. And the floor. Good gracious. The demons of crumbs, mulch, leaves, beads and crayons are perpetually alive, dropping traces of themselves across every square …
Continue reading "To the exhausted mama – Encouragement in the monotony of repetition"
Standing at a table in the lobby, I looked around at the swarm of women. A mix of ages, races, personalities and perspectives filled my view. It was one of the largest women’s conferences I had ever attended, and I savored the overwhelming beauty of recognizing every one of these faces had a story, a …
I sat in the parking lot of a shopping center and sobbed. Hot, angry tears fell down my cheek as I confessed, “I just don’t want to, God. I don’t want to forgive.” I imagined God angry with my lack of faith and blatant defiance towards his clear command. I wondered if I would hear …
Continue reading "Forgiveness with a gentle and generous God"
House color, take-out budget. Kid’s bedtimes, kid’s discipline. Sports, rest, vacation, and even Christmas presents. You name it, and my husband and I have disagreed about it. Sometimes we argue, sometimes we discuss civilly, and occasionally, one of us freely concedes. But regardless of whether or not I “win” the disagreement, anger can still linger. …
Continue reading "To the Angry Wife – Gospel Encouragement Amid Accumulating Frustrations"
I was on the phone attempting to reschedule a dentist appointment when my kids came barreling around the corner. One was screaming and crying, and the other, cackling laughter. I lost it. I slammed my phone to the ground and screamed, “Dangit you guys! GET. TO. YOUR. ROOMS!” It was the last straw. And truth …
Continue reading "To the Angry Mama – Gospel Hope Amid Our Temper"
Is this all a waste? I wondered. It was a beautiful sunny afternoon, and all external qualities suggested my day should be marked by smiles and ease. But my mind was spinning. As I drove through town, the fresh breeze pranced through my window, and all I could think about was how much easier life …
Continue reading "In the Doubt and Discouragement – What we learn from Psalm 73"
There are two types of people in this world - those who like the window seat in an airplane and those who do not. My classification is the former. I love the window. From takeoff, adventure begins with the thrill of soaring above the city. I try to pinpoint landmarks, water, anything that may be …
“My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity Independent of religious affiliations or belief systems, there seems …
A May afternoon in 2020, my husband and I took a walk when he dropped a bomb, asking if I would move a thousand miles away. I replied with a confident “no”. Yet two months later, our house was sold. Our van was packed. We were moving. I imagined transitioning would be simple. We’d find …
Continue reading "Finding A Local Church After A Move Is Worth the Heartache"
God told me to start a Bible study. He didn’t speak with an audible voice, but it must have been him because everything in my rational mind refused: I’ve never led a Bible study. I’m not qualified for this. I don’t even have friends in this city! Convinced he picked the wrong girl, I prayed–rather, …
Continue reading "Finding Christian Community Across Hundreds of Little Moments"
Soaking in the Son 