Joy isn’t Always a Choice
The last year or so has felt like one giant Winter Storm. Unexpected if not unprecedented. Uncomfortable and sometimes deadly. Killing off things that were once lovely and leaving behind a brittle mess in its place. But as I was out in the yard with my shears, trimming brittle branches and pulling off brown leaves, I noticed that the closer I got to the root, to the heart of each plant, the stronger and firmer the plant became. The outsides were ruined, but the core was still there. The source of life hadn’t been destroyed. Joy can be a bit…
Beyond the Manger
I’m always trying to find ways to help my kids see the true meaning of Christmas – beyond all of the gifts, decorations, fancy food, etc. Which, if I’m being honest, it pretty difficult since I actually LIKE all of…
Spiritual Strength Building
Is there such a thing as spiritual strength? We know about physical strength, and we’re pretty clear about emotional strength…but what about spiritual strength? What is it and why do we care? Think about athletes My daughter is an athlete.…
Exploring Christianity With Your Child
Guest post by Traci Rhoades I first met Traci a few years ago in a Christian women’s writing group. From the beginning of our acquaintance I found her to be curious, compassionate, and respectful of people’s personal faith journeys and…
I Don’t Want “Normal” Anymore
“God, I’m just ready to get back to normal.” I caught myself praying that the other day as I worked to sign my daughter in to her online class. There are moments, even whole days, where I ache for “normal,”…
Did Corona Cancel Easter?
“Corona cancels Easter.” I was scrolling through some site the other day, and those words caught my eye. At first my mind went to all the things we’re missing this year. Dressing my girls up in pretty Easter dresses, and…
Seeking Help in Uncertainty
You're not alone. God is with you, and He has promised not to leave you nor forsake you. He promises to hold you in His hand and that He's on your side. And even when we don't know what tomorrow…
She Didn’t Win the Trophy, But I Couldn’t Be Prouder
I looked at my daughter as her face fell. She looked at me for a moment, took a deep breath, and went back to her seat.
When Your Child Asks the Hard Questions
Our kids ask us the hard questions. And while some of those questions I dread hearing, I know it’s good that they ask us – hopefully, it means they know we’re safe, that we’ll tell the truth, and that we…
Road Work Ahead
What would it look like if life came with road signs? Not too long ago my family and I took a multi-state road trip. As we were driving down a major interstate, we came upon a sign: Road Work Ahead.…
Capturing Thoughts for the Anxious Christian – book review
I don’t generally write book reviews here – mostly because I’m too lazy to take the time, not because I don’t love the books I read. However, I recently read through this one, and it was so gorgeous, I had…
