Years ago, shortly after Thanksgiving, I learned my son had been horribly assaulted. Suddenly, all thoughts of a joyful holiday vanished. The last thing on my mind was giving thanks. Though the trees displayed the colors of autumn, my heart was the shade of deepest sorrow. I remember two specific things about the holidays that […]
Category: Grief/Encouragement
Seizing Life’s Shocking Surprises with Help and Hope
My son Jon let out a yell. Chairs tumbled over, and his cell phone slid across the wood floor. By the time I reached Jon, the grand mal seizure had started. Without warning, Jon’s body was suddenly bombarded by legions of electrical and chemical blasts that slammed him like tidal waves of shock. Let’s all […]
Life Can Be Hard and Full Also
An Interview with Carol Kent
Most parents cringe when the school principal calls you for a meeting about your child. However, the school principal pales in comparison to being called by a prison inmate . . . who is also your child. The last place we expect or desire our child or loved one to live out his or her […]
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What You Must Do to Live Fearlessly
My husband’s work hours have been crazy due to the recent natural disasters. He was called into work every Sunday in October. I had just returned from a speaking engagement. I had yet to unpack . . . I was tired. Church is often a struggle for me. It’s tragically amazing how creative my excuses […]
The Priceless Value of Shattered Things
It’s confession time: I have an addiction. It started years ago. Short on cash but high on creativity, secondhand stores and antique shops became my go-to spots for getting stuff. I figured someone’s trash could become my treasure, with the help of some power tools, paint, and my sewing machine. (Thanks to Pinterest and DIY […]
Fearless Friendships: What You Must Remember
The offer was terrifying, but I couldn’t figure out why. My long-time friend told me years ago that I should meet her sister. Apparently, her sister and I have incredibly similar mannerisms and an outrageous sense of humor. On many occasions my friend has said she thinks her sister and I may have been separated […]
Colossal Walls We Must Conquer with Uncompromising Courage
We were going 80 miles an hour when I hit the wall. That collision shattered the left side of my face. Four surgeries and four months later, getting behind the wheel had a whole new meaning. When we think of walls, most of us think of The Great Wall of China or walled cities of […]
The Ultimate Game of Thrones
Epic. Unforgettable. Remarkable. It’s a writer’s dream to craft work so powerful it moves the human spirit. In the world of fiction and fantasy, George R. R. Martin has done that with his novel series, originally titled A Song of Ice and Fire. Producers David Benioff and D. B. Weiss created from Martin’s work the […]
Where to Find Comfort When Disaster Strikes
Harvey. It hasn’t been a common name during my lifetime. Until now. Most of the country will remember the name Harvey and will relate it to one of our nation’s largest natural disasters. News outlets and social media run loops of countless scenes of devastation and loss. Homes filled with wonderful memories have been ripped […]
Wisdom for the Anxious
An Interview with Amy Simpson
Without question, anxiety is a pervasive problem in today’s world. We are bombarded with fear-laden messages of unrest and uncertainty, leading most of us to get all entangled with confusing, anxious thoughts. Instead of taking things to the Lord and finding rest, we habitually ruminate over what we cannot control—which only makes things worse. Amy […]
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What to Remember When Your “Not-Best” Self Shows Up
I am not my best self in the morning. Sadly, this “not-best” version of myself must still carpool during morning rush hour traffic—a setup for the perfect storm. I lugged my “not-best” self into the car and noticed my son Jon’s anxiety was high. Anxiety is one of his most difficult challenges. He is rarely […]
From Brain Stem Stroke to Sterling Hope
An Interview with Katherine and Jay Wolf
“For better or worse” . . . “in sickness and health” . . . “’til death do us part” . . . “I DO.” The marriage vows are easy when life is beautiful. It certainly was for the young, vibrant model and her loving, loyal husband preparing to practice law after the bar exam. However, […]
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