There are still times when it is hard for me to grasp how very wide and long and high and deep is God’s unconditional love for me. To grasp no matter what I do, He could never love me more, And no matter what I fail to do, He could never love me less. He loves […]
When Our Heart Aches, He Meets Us Even There
I cry the ugly cry and can hardly type through the blur. My heart is aching and I know the ache is nothing compared with what some others may be facing. But my tears only know my ache, the reality of my situation, and there’s nothing more real than my very own heart. I’m alone, yet I know God is here. I’ve heard […]
Dear Me … A Letter to My High School Self { Graceful }
Today I’m joining Emily P. Freeman and others to celebrate the release of her new book, Graceful, by writing a letter to my high school self. Her first book, Grace for the Good Girl was so rich and full of truth for women, and this book, Graceful, is just what a teenage girl needs. Dear me, I […]
How to Be Still and Trust, Even In the Pain
He is still and he trusts me and looks up at me like I’m the love of his life. And how can I resist that smile? With those steel-blue eyes and small gap between his teeth. And I’ve been falling for him since my eyes first met him that January morning over six full years ago. He’s calm […]
Grace FULL and Overflowing
Full. Satisfied. Filled to the top with favor and overflowing. A gift that’s unearned. Underserved. And just plain surprising. And He says it’s sufficient–that it’s enough. No more looking around and longing to be satisfied. No more longing for significance or worth or wishing to belong. No more coveting what’s not ours and hanging our […]
The Change of Learning to Love Like He Loves :: Sermon on the Mount {Week 20-22}
I am so far from perfect. And I won’t lie. There are many people who annoy and irritate me. People who are inefficient and unresponsive, and not likeable at all. Then there are people who offend me or hurt me, sometimes intentionally. And it is so difficult to tolerate them, exert patience with them, and ultimately love […]
Why We Need to Pray for Our Boys and Their Future Wives
I went to a conference last month for writers and speakers. And it was on the plane ride, I realized how much I needed to pray for my boys, and their future wives. I sat next to a young girl who I imagined had so much to look forward to–college, career, and maybe a spouse […]
Why Feelings Are NOT the Dictators of Our Reality {There is Hope}
There are times in life that are stormy and dark, when every heart feels beyond hope. Times when we’re overwhelmed by circumstances that startle and catch us off guard–circumstances that are right here, right now–dark and directly overhead. No anticipation. No warning. And we’re blinded by their presence and sideswiped by their consequences. A lost job. A […]
How Joining in Relationship is Worth the Risk
Relationships are the beauty in life–standing tall amidst life’s challenges. And we build relationships as we join together in shared experiences, in the joys and the challenges we face. Every tiny action builds upon another, joining to strengthen our bonds–bonds formed by having fun together and by grieving together. And all this can be a […]
We All Need A Community to Call Our Own {Somewhere to Belong}
We all need community, somewhere to belong. For two years now, I’ve visited the Puerto Rican pigeons-a community of their own. And what I observed was nothing short of remarkable. It taught me some poignant lessons… About how we all long for somewhere to belong, How we all desire to be welcomed and included, How we […]
