Writer, Speaker, Editor, Blogger
Are you in the middle of a difficult life situation? Last week, I saw one of my children’s former art teachers. We hadn’t seen each other in years, so took a few minutes to catch up on each other’s lives. This sweet man talked to me about some of his struggles caring for his 96-year-old […]
My husband and I just returned from an amazing trip to Italy, Turkey, and Greece, following the missionary journeys of the apostle Paul. The majority of our trip was a cruise, with numerous port stops along the way. Twice, we had a little card on our bed that said, “We are time traveling,” with instructions […]
Have you ever had someone drop a bomb on you about all the ways you’ve offended them? The detailed gut-spill of incidents may go back years, and interestingly, you may not remember the incidents at all. Offense is a strange commodity. Some overcome being offended rapidly and regain forward motion. Others store offense, ruminate on […]
I once met a man who hadn’t spoken to his brother in a decade or longer. I was surprised to learn his brother lived just up the street from the man. When I asked what precipitated their estrangement, he said, “I don’t even remember what made us stop talking to each other.” How sad these […]
God created us with the ability to experience emotions. But if you’ve ever lashed out in anger or been the victim of someone’s anger, you know unbridled emotions are powerful and can be destructive. Thankfully, we don’t have to be a slave to our emotions. How we act and react, and whether we allow our […]
Last week, I opened a diet ginger ale bottle and didn’t hear the familiar hiss. I poured the soda anyway and saw no bubbles. You guessed it; the carbonation was gone, and the drink was flat. Have you encountered times in your life when you feel like your “fizz” is gone? Like a flat soda, […]
Our oldest grandson begins kindergarten this week at a new school. Since he was an infant, he’s attended daycare and preschool at our church. Now, he faces the transition to a new school. Anxiety mingles with excitement as he navigates the newness of a different location, new teachers, and making new friends. All of us […]
Last week, we shared days of family time. As expected, all was not perfect—some bumps and scrapes, tears, mornings that started earlier than weary parents wanted them to—yet plenty of moments to treasure. Family is a gift we often take for granted. Following are thoughts on cherishing the gift of family: Ties That Bind As […]
Do you remember crowded stands at ballfields where a snack and drink were referred to as “refreshments”? In our fast-paced, frenetic world, aren’t we all in need of a little refreshment? Refreshment is defined as the act of refreshing; the state of being refreshed. This week, our family is enjoying a time of refreshing, togetherness, […]
A year ago, my 96-year-old aunt “Chinkie” skipped the bonds of earth and entered her heavenly home. She was a huge part of my life and continues to occupy my mind almost daily. Cleaning out her home provided moments of quiet grief, but also periods of joy. I thought I knew a lot about grief, […]