I saw it a bazillion times last year . . . a beautiful calendar that hung on our kitchen wall for 365 days. It looked so inspiring on the store shelf. I intended to read its encouraging words throughout the year. Then life happened. I got too busy to stop and consider the thought-provoking words […]
Category: Grief/Encouragement
A Chance to Start Over This Year
Facing the music and focusing on how something fresh can change your life
One of the most encouraging things about a new year is the word new. It means “unfamiliar . . . made or become fresh . . . different from one of the same category that has existed previously,” says Webster. Simply put, it’s a place to begin anew. Starting over requires knowing where you are. […]
How the Grinch Saved Christmas
Merry Christmas to you, my friend! For some, this day is filled with delightful memories. For many others, Christmas is full of inner conflicts and surfacing sorrows. One of my dear friends, Kelli Ra Anderson, understands this like few others. Kelli lives with enormous challenges that she has learned to embrace over the years. Two […]
Priceless Presents from My Friend Joe
The holidays aren’t all that happy for those hurting. Past painful experiences or current hardships cast a heavy blanket over bright lights and joyful hearts. My dear friend Joe Padilla, co-founder of Grace Alliance, understands this so well. Having endured many harsh holiday seasons, his wisdom for how to help the hurting is profound and […]
Don’t Be Afraid
The hour of 1:00 a.m. comes every night, but there’s one 1:00 a.m. I’ll never forget. While you were likely sound asleep, I was wide awake . . . talking to God like mad! I was aboard a small twin-engine plane with a seasoned pilot, rapidly descending through a foggy, dense overcast at 200 miles […]
A Riddle That Will Revolutionize Your Life
What comes in all shapes and sizes, creates a big mess, requires constant attention, but eventually offers great fulfillment? Could it be . . . A new puppy? Seasons in marriage? A garden during harvest time? Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner? Moving into a new home? Starting a new job? Oh, you’re so close! Stick with […]
Why You Must Put On Your Oxygen Mask First
Boarding an airplane is a bit like herding cattle. There are a bazillion people juggling babies, bottles, and bags that must be seated, settled, or stored in spaces the size of leftover Tupperware containers. Then, in the midst of all the chaos, the lovely flight attendant begins the “Emergency Oxygen Mask” speech. It’s something like: […]
Killing the Weeds That Grow from a Wounded Soul
I know you have been there. If it helps, I am there quite often. Those moments in life when you think . . . Did that R E A L L Y just happen? Did I H O N E S T L Y hear that correctly? Do you know how hurtful that was to […]
Getting Gutted or Gaining Freedom: The Gadget You Must Give Up
Some days, walking by faith isn’t so challenging. Other days, such as today, choosing to walk by faith is harder than trying to keep 20 preschoolers holding on to the rope on a field trip. That rope is there for a great purpose, beyond keeping teachers somewhat sane. It simplifies what could be utter chaos. […]
The Only Answer to 9/11 . . . and to Life
I had just hopped on the treadmill, my one-hour reprieve when Jon was little. Music flooded my ear buds as I picked up the pace. All was well. I glanced at the TV to see the morning news . . . typical drama. The screen was split. On one side was the news anchor, and […]
Hope That Will Never Let You Down
Her husband softly kissed her forehead, then let go of her hand as her hospital bed was moved into the operating room. For six hours, her family waited . . . and waited. Eventually, the surgeon emerged from the operating room and confirmed the surgery had gone very well. In the months that followed, the […]
When You Get Blindsided by “It”
The x-ray displaying the neck and skull on the computer screen was enormous. While waiting in the surgeon’s examination room, I studied the image of the contorted structure. The saying goes, “Someone always has it worse”—well, this someone had it worse: the neck curved in the wrong direction, and a small kink at the base […]