Welcomed by God
The lock turned and I held my breath. Slowly, slowly the front door creaked open and my daughter-in-law’s smiling face peeked into the gap.
“Look,” I whispered to my grandson. He faced me with his little back turned away from the entrance. His blue eyes raised to mine, puzzled. “Mommy’s home.” I pointed toward the door.
A red car which had traveled in his little hands from my shoe, up my leg, and had been heading toward my tummy, dropped to the floor. He pivoted. Little eyes lit up with pure delight.
“Mommy!” He shouted with absolute pleasure. He ran into his mother’s arms. My daughter-in-law’s eyes sparkled. She scooped him up and hugged him tightly.
After a long day of work, the sight of her little son brought such welcome delight, my grandson could not help but be assured of her love and his place in her heart. Their response to each other gifted them both with something we all desire.
We need to know we are welcome. Continue reading Welcomed by God
Sacred Community
I never found it challenging to be alone—it was feeling alone that got to me.
Here’s a truth about introverts (like me). We’re not necessarily anti-social, we just need to be alone to recharge and refresh. Not so long ago I experienced something I never thought possible for my hermit-shaped heart.
I craved community.
Working remotely during the pandemic was a breath of fresh air for this loner, for the first few weeks. However, when gathering with colleagues, family, and friends fell away, the borders of my world closed in. When grief and prolonged illness moved in, I felt alone—as though forgotten. Continue reading Sacred Community
Time Management Tips for Families (Because Kiddos Don’t Rush Well)
Rushing young children to meet our time expectations is as effective as forcing a hippopotamus to enter a relay race. Those large mammals often become ornery when disturbed. In hippo-like fashion, little people may balk, cry, or pitch a temper tantrum when pressed beyond their capacity. They don’t rush well.
Have you noticed the more you try to hurry them, the more sloth-like they become? It’s as if they choose to idle or move in reverse. And even if they switched into high gear quickly, is “hurry-scurry” the lifestyle we want to model and develop?
To avoid the last-minute-race-against-the-clock scenario (at least sometimes), let’s look at practical ways to help our children succeed. Because kiddos don’t rush well. Continue reading Time Management Tips for Families (Because Kiddos Don’t Rush Well)
Why Take Children to Church?
Church is about worshiping the One who loves us and uses us in His plan despite our imperfections. Continue reading Why Take Children to Church?
When Your Soul is Downcast: 5 Ways to Restore Joy
In the lovely, upside-down world of motherhood, there are countless moments with our littles (and not-so-littles) that ignite fear or worry. In my own mom-journey, ongoing anxiety has often led to a downcast soul.
As women with endless to-do lists, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, sad, or simply heavy. This melancholy can range in severity—from feeling, “blue,” and being unable to pinpoint the exact cause, to feeling the crushing weight of difficult life events, including sickness, job loss, strained relationships, loss of a loved one, and more.
Thankfully, scripture reminds us that God is aware of our burdens—that He knows, and He cares. Continue reading When Your Soul is Downcast: 5 Ways to Restore Joy
How the Lie of “More” Fueled My Anxiety and Stole My Joy
It was a subtle lie, a clever lie. One with flecks of truth sprinkled throughout. Subtle enough to assuage any guilt but not enough to raise an instant alarm. Continue reading How the Lie of “More” Fueled My Anxiety and Stole My Joy
Handing Over the Keys
There are events in life that parents contemplate as their children grow. Some are anticipated because they are announced before arrival—such as the many attempts by baby to roll over that lead to success, or the cranky baby before the first tooth pops up. Then there are the experiences we think are far into the future and there’s plenty of time to be prepared: Driver’s licenses, high school, college, and marriage. Sons and daughters, ready to take on the world, unaware of exactly what that means.
Blink your eyes and you’ll find your baby boy standing there, uncontrollable grin on his face, holding his brand new license, asking the question we dread. “Can I have the keys?” Continue reading Handing Over the Keys
Getting to Know the Disciples • Part 2
Finish out the year studying six more disciples, half a dozen men who spent intimate time with Jesus during the course of his ministry and continued to tell others about the Savior after his death and resurrection. Continue reading Getting to Know the Disciples • Part 2
Be on Your Guard: Parenting in a Changing Culture
We as parents and grandparents see the off-kilter flight of moral stability in our world. Our eyes may have drooped with indifference and weariness. A following generation will pay for those moments of sluggish non-awareness.
We are in a battle against disengagement’s thick wool of sleep. We must remain alert. We cannot underestimate as naïve children, the magnitude of the moment.
What can we do to stay awake? Continue reading Be on Your Guard: Parenting in a Changing Culture
Anticipation, Fascination, and the Journey of Faith
The seed-sowing, watering, cultivating, and waiting was worth the wait. Sure, the celebration of flowers was sweet! However, walking by faith together helped me see something more—something deeper, something precious. Continue reading Anticipation, Fascination, and the Journey of Faith
in the Quiver 