When Hope Returns
Only a week into January . . . and it’s almost certain some families have already encountered a difficult season. Pain enters in and hope begins to wither. I wrote this piece when a light softly appeared at the end of a tunnel. My hope is that this will be an encouraging light for you […]
10 Essentials of a Healing Church
When you encounter people who are going through a trial, do you find yourself thinking: I really want to help them, but what do they need most? As human beings, we all need the following qualities in our lives to help us through our toughest times. As we begin a new year, let’s remember to […]
Easy Ways to Help a Family in Need
When families are dealing with special needs, many of the basic chores of everyday life go from humdrum to hassle. As your friends, neighbors, and church members care for family members with special needs, take some time out of your week to offer a helping hand. One of the most treasured gifts is the gift […]
It’s Free!
It is the need of every human heart; a driving force compelling us to action, influencing our decisions, and intensifying our emotions. It is the universal longing for encouragement. We often think of encouragement as an act of kindness, which is part of inspiring others; but I see encouragement as a gift to be given. Our need […]
Good News and Bad News
“I have some good news and some bad news.” Ever heard that before? We often choose to hear the bad news first, hoping the good news will provide a joyous overshadowing of the other. And sometimes we have to come up with the good news ourselves. I’ll share some of my own good news and […]
In Abundance
We use the word grace to describe many things in life: dancers are graceful; we say grace before a meal; financial institutions grant grace periods; and people of dignity and respect have the character trait of grace. I find these descriptions useful, but there is another, more significant definition of grace: a gift freely given […]
A Prayer for Strength
There is a book titled A Long Obedience in the Same Direction by author Eugene Peterson that puts into words the experiences of many who remain faithful to the Lord while their suffering continues without end. I have prayed the prayer below during such seasons and, today, this is my prayer for you. You may […]
Somewhere Down the Road
Silence has become a friend of mine. But it wasn’t always that way. In case you haven’t noticed, stress can generate a massive amount of noise. Trying to wrap your hands around spilling grief is like trying to catch a roaring waterfall with tissues—there could never be enough to dry it up, but my heart […]
There’s a Love Letter Addressed to You
It remains one of the most endearing love letters of all time. It is full of devotion, affection, and reflection. It is from an older man who carefully penned his words with humble transparency. To many readers, he was a mentor. He had suffered the wounds of affliction, betrayal, abuse, and pain—conditions that can often […]
There Is Growth in the Valley
The car was loaded with stuffed backpacks, sparkling water, and cell phone cameras. It was a crystal clear Southern California day, ideal for hiking. Apparently, it was the ladybug season; we found them everywhere—all of them were in our way, it seemed. Let’s just say the hike wasn’t perfect, but the mountain top was magically […]
You Have a Fan
Tom Malone, former president and COO of Milliken and Company, told a story about his life as a football player: I played football in college. I wasn’t very big—only 150 pounds—and I wasn’t very good. I got hurt a lot. I broke my arm once, my neck once, and my nose six times. When I […]
You Are Not Alone
Dear Fellow Traveler, Today I woke up and wanted to tell you that you’re not alone on the journey of life. So many times I have felt alone. Even after years of timely reminders, I often still wonder if there is anyone out there who understands the challenges of raising a child with special needs. […]