Just after Dawn
Ever felt drained by the day and it’s only dawn? My family and I had one of those days not long ago. It was still dark outside . . . my daughter had pneumonia, my son had bronchitis, and both needed medicine. The new container of almond milk slipped and spilled ALL OVER the kitchen […]
Robby
My dad told this story in a sermon a long time ago. It’s a heartwarming urban legend, so I’m passing it along in a way similar to how Christ taught using stories, or parables, in Scripture. Parables are story-like word pictures that contain powerful life lessons many of us can remember with ease. May the […]
Being Calm in the Chaos
Life was relatively manageable until about three weeks ago. And then the storm hit—“BANG!” “BOOM!” “BLAST!”—almost like those old Batman comic strips. “BANG!” I’ve not written about this, but my younger brother has been battling a very serious form of cancer for nine months. Watching his suffering is more than I can put into words. […]
Acceptance
There was nothing simple about my friend’s situation. One of her three sons was diagnosed with severe autism at age 11; his world and his parents’ world flipped upside down. For reasons only the Lord knows, his behaviors became aggressive, dangerous, and terrifying. For over a year they tried everything, prayed, tried more of everything, […]
Ringing in the . . . Ear
It started in 2004. At some point between May and July of that year, my hearing in both ears deteriorated by 70 percent, and a constant ringing began. After seeking medical help, the doctor suggested surgery for partial hearing repair. The doctor would only repair one ear at a time, should the repair not work. […]
Love in Action
Some people are not lovable. I know because I’m one of them. I am impatient, selfish, easily annoyed by interruptions, and cranky when plans change. It doesn’t help that I have severe ADHD, learning challenges, and don’t hear well. Truthfully, we all have differences . . . some lovely, some not so lovely. Part of being human and broken […]
Simple and Significant
Sometimes the simplest things in our lives are the most meaningful. I did a little project the other day that reminded me about the significance of life. I made a necklace for a friend . . . simple, elegant, and decorated with a few meaningful charms that represent some of her deepest values. To most, it looks like a […]
Hope in All Seasons
The holiday season is here again. During the holidays, people do a lot of wishing. But I’m not talking about wishing for gifts or toys. The kind of wishing I’m speaking of refers to deeper longings for something different, something better. Often, we long for relief from painful circumstances, restoration of broken relationships, the ability […]
Earthly
The other day, as my son, Jon, and I drove home from school, I could tell something earthly had happened. Earthly refers to those daily situations that occur as a result of living in a broken world with broken people. I could tell that some earthly event had broken Jon’s heart. Big tears welled up […]
The Invisible Troublemaker
When I think of troublemakers, I think of bullies at school, convicted criminals, and angry neighbors. You could probably list a few as well. But have you ever considered your own mind as a dreadfully difficult troublemaker? Your mind can be filled with greed, selfish motivations, manipulation, anxiety, fear, and resentment—often far more troubling than […]
Joy Beads
Bad weather and cooped up kids can be problematic—energy to burn and nowhere to go. Such was the case one very stormy season when my kids were little. We were hit with a record number of storms . . . one after another for weeks. As the days passed, we all became a bit cranky. […]
The Balance of Laughter and Tears
When I meet wise people, I want the world to know them. I recently met Cindi, who has grown wise through the trials of life. She and her husband, Joe, have a son with disabilities, so they will never enjoy many of the freedoms most people expect in life. But because they have faithfully followed […]