“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 The sky has been dreary for days . . . which has felt more like months. It’s winter. Of the four seasons, winter is my least favorite. Winter days can be monotonously gray. Life and growth continues, but it’s underground […]
Category: Family Life/Caregivers
The Mental Health Pandemic That the Church Must Step Into
An Interview with Dr. Matthew Stanford
The world has seen the growth of mental health issues and concerns skyrocket over the last couple years. Research has shown that currently more than two in five U.S. adults say our communities need mental health assistance more than ever, and 50% of teens have developed a mental health issue during the pandemic. Although the […]
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A Timeless Lesson from Common Kitchen Items
Do you ever feel like you’re playing the game “whack-a-mole” in life? Before you have time to catch your breath from knocking out an obstacle, another shows up . . . . . . and another . . . and another . . . and then three more at the same time. The following story […]
Tools for Those in Need of Mental Health Support
An Interview with Joe Padilla
Few things are more acutely examined than the human body. Of all its organs, the brain is the most complex. No other organ controls human functioning like the brain. However, what makes the brain totally unique is its connection to our overall well-being. The brain affects how we function physically, emotionally, relationally, personally, and also […]
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Permission to “Not Adult” for Every Caregiver
Today, I am “not adulting.” I am closing the door to everything that has led to being exhausted. Since I have been “doing” for so long, I’ve lost me. “Not Adulting” means: I will not wake up at 3:00 am to see if my child is sleeping or check the medical monitor that will continue […]
Calming Truth When Life Is SO Complicated
His hands were gently folded on his lap as he listened to the sermon. Every morning, my son and his caregiver listen to various sermons on his phone; she patiently helps him find the Bible passage written in large letters. As they listened, I watched his fingers, now long and thin and never still. Jon’s […]
Today I’m Giving Up My “Wish-List”
I looked into my son’s eyes wondering what he was thinking. Most people see him as a young man who is “odd” or “different” even though he appears to be a typical young man. I know him as my 23-year-old son with blue eyes and pale skin, whose life has included a treadmill of specialists […]
Unconditional Acceptance
An Interview with Carol Spencer
It’s on all our minds as we age . . . “Will that be me in 5, 10, or 20 years?” Perhaps you know or love someone who can’t ask that question any longer because he or she can’t remember what to ask. The looming fear about the unknown is connected to the dreadful disease […]
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How Can I Be Thankful for That?
I’ll never forget Thanksgiving Day 2019. I usually treasure family traditions—those few hours or days each year when the noisy clatter of life comes to a halt. Gathering, reflecting, and being present with those I love warms my soul. However, everything about fall, feasting, and festive gatherings was the last thing on my mind. Two […]
Clawing for Control when God Says, “Cling to the Truth”
Nine months into the year 2020, the word “unprecedented” has become a household hashtag. Everything from COVID19, the west coast fires, hurricanes in the gulf and southern states . . . these and other events have been labeled “unprecedented” according to the media and news streams. “Unprecedented” means an event, experience, or unparalleled, extraordinary happening […]
Julie Hornok
of United in Autism
There are so many amazing people in our community, going through hard stuff, navigating life, and making a difference along the way. We want to introduce them to you so you can be encouraged, inspired and above all, know that you aren’t alone. Meet Julie Hornok of United in Autism, today’s featured Wednesday Warrior. Read […]
Because of My Struggles, Not in Spite of My Struggles…
Looking out the hospital window I wondered if anyone in the world had ever felt so lonely. The doctor had just told me my son may not make it through the night. Burying a child isn’t a topic in books pregnant mom’s read; it was the first time I had to face the fact there […]