Words Matter

We never know if the words we speak to a loved one will be the last.  Nor do we know if the lack of words will leave too much unsaid. I’d imagine it’s not something most of us think about. Death has a way of bringing attention to this. Back in 2015 when my father …

Get Out of Your Way

Two weeks.  In light of eternity, that’s nothing but a blip on the radar screen of our life. Yet in the midst of that timeframe, it can feel like a life sentence. I’m kidding (somewhat).  We are nearing the end of a two week quarantine my daughter was forced to take.  Let me amend that.  …

Let It Go

Having three granddaughters, it’s no wonder I’m subjected ad nauseam to the well-known hit “Let It Go” from the movie Frozen.  Good song, for sure.  But when you’ve heard it a thousand times, well, it starts to sound more like nails on a chalkboard.  https://media.giphy.com/media/kGX3WmRxZ9HUs/giphy.gif Speaking of granddaughters…last weekend my patience (whatever was left of …

Trust in Loss

A few days ago, we buried my 26-year-old nephew.  I cannot adequately express the pain our entire is family is going through. We are hurting deeply.  But no amount of our grief can compare to what my sister is going through. Parents shouldn’t bury their children.  It’s not natural.  There isn’t even a word for …

The Importance of Connection

The evolving that happens with a group of people who start off as strangers, has always fascinated me. Its why “Survivor” is one of my favorite shows to watch. As each day passes—in particular, as each challenge is faced—they get to know one another. Sometimes shoulders rub the wrong way. Others seem to find instant …

The Power of Love

Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger (Psalm 8:2). My daughter was flipping through my 7-year-old granddaughter’s “dream journal” (as she calls it), and found this: It might not be obvious, but she wrote (in her first grade, learning to …

A Foundation Built Upon Pain

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 61. You might want to take some time now to read it, because it’s one of the most encouraging portions of scripture. And who couldn’t use a little bit of encouragement these days?! It’s the contrast between all that is wrong in life—poverty, broken hearts, …

Our Defining Moments

I think most of have experienced defining moments in our lives. Whether it’s a singular event or a season in which we experience something that fundamentally changes us. Oftentimes it leads to adjustment or some type of transformation in our lives. These moments can come out of a tragedy or the best thing to ever …

Growth through Vulnerability

Let me preface this post by stating two facts about myself: I’m an introvert.I tend to isolate myself when dealing with difficult emotions. Now let’s add into the mix these facts: I work from home.The added isolation caused by the pandemic. Oh, but let’s spice it up with some other “fun” realities: My ability to …

It’s NOT Ok to Not Forgive

I recently saw a post on Facebook that you’re allowed to not forgive someone, and that not every sorry deserves an “it’s okay.”  It caught my attention because the journey of forgiveness has been my life story for the past three years. While I understand the logic behind not saying it was okay to do …

Something New

Am I the only one who enjoys the look, feel and smell of new school supplies? There’s just something about a brand-new box of Crayola’s and a clean spiral notebook that brings me a strange sense of satisfaction. Maybe you can relate to this feeling when it comes to cracking open the new book you …

Peace on Earth?

A few days ago, I shared a post, “The Not So Merry Christmas.” And for those who have been following my blog for a time, know that the past couple of years have been a huge transition for me with the ending of my marriage. Well, this is the first Christmas since 2018 that I …