August always seems like a time of beginning and ending, a change of season when one doesn’t actually exist. I think this is largely because our kids’ school has always started in August, and because for many years as I taught, it was back to school/work for me as well. And I love that feeling, that shift to a new […]
Quiet in the Fireworks
Now stand quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors. 1 Samuel 12:7 NLT Doing anything quietly is completely counter to my nature, standing quietly before the Lord even more so. When I stand before the Lord I usually have a laundry list of things to […]
Adopted: Part 2
In last week’s blog, I opened the topic of our adoption into God’s family by sharing a bit of my own adoption story. Please take a moment to read the post if you haven’t already. As I continue a study of Ephesians with some friends, the Word continues to speak to me, resonating in new ways. How I love this […]
Adopted: Part 1
God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. -Ephesians 1:5 NLT I’m walking through the book of Ephesians in a Bible study with some friends, and I came across this passage a few days ago. Paul’s […]
Sloppy Painting: Seeing the Big Picture in the Midst of the Mess
My sweet friend and neighbor, Donna, is a wonderful decorative painter. She’s passionate about her craft and eager to share it with others; she even got me to (try to) paint! Donna shared a recent experience and I couldn’t wait to commit it to words and share with you. She was admiring an art exhibit that hung in a local gallery, […]
7 Basic Ways to Focus on What’s Right in Front of You
We often gaze far into the distance when wondering about God’s direction for us, seeking what the big-picture future will hold. I do this. So much. But if you read last week’s post, you know God has been redirecting my gaze and refocusing my path. If you haven’t read it yet, take a few minutes to settle in there before […]
A Wife’s Secret to Happiness: don’t miss this!
A wife’s secret to happiness. What is this elusive thing, happiness, that we all seek after, we all hang our worth upon? We want so much to be happy, to feel that deep down satisfaction and peace in life, and possibly more than any other area, in our marriages, the most foundational of all relationships. The adage “Happy […]
A Prodigal Perspective: Hug BEFORE the speech.
I want to be the one who hugs before the speech. Odd thing to say, I know, but bear with me. I have recently taken some time reflecting on the parable of the prodigal son. Take a look at Luke 15:11-24 (NIV): 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one […]
Not your average Family Reunion (Originally posted 3/6/11)
I wrote this post 6 years ago, and much has changed in my life. But this is a mile marker that bears revisiting. Many people who know me know don’t know this particular story of God’s faithfulness, so I wanted to share. Please feel free to comment below. How I have struggled with putting this to paper. I’ve talked about […]
Crash
We all heard it. Without a warning screech of tires, a deafening crash sounded just outside, another to follow. My family rushed outside from our evening of cozy TV watching, sock footed, into a cold winter night, blurry with smoke. Twenty feet from our front door an SUV faced the wrong way in our street, the corner streetlight lay along […]