I wear it hoping that it will become true of me … LOVE Jn 13:35. That somehow the feel of it around my neck will make me mindful and aware. That the clanking of the pearl against the metal will help me remember. And it isn’t even 10am and I glance over to see one child hitting […]
When You Need to Stop the Expectations So You Can Find Joy
Anger and frustration are the children of unmet expectations. And unmet expectations kill relationships. I should know this by now. It’s a lesson always before me, one I never really learn. It happens in my marriage, with my parents, my children and my friends. And it all starts in my mind. I begin to imagine […]
The Whimsy of Living in the Now {Giving Thanks for One Beautiful Thing}
We walk up the hill in the noon of the day and they walk right beside me. And we near the apple trees in full blossom in the shadow of the mountain there beyond. The poppies dot the hillside with the brilliance of orange, and we stop to take it all in. The beauty […]
A Captured Moment in Time {One Beautiful Thing}
We sat at the little league game and she asked to sit on my lap, my youngest child who seems to be growing by the minute. And she climbed up and took my phone and opened all the pictures, as she always does. This daughter of mine who always likes to remember–the one who likes to review the memories […]
In Case You Haven’t Realized the Magnificence of a Mother’s Love {A Mother’s Day Thank You}
Sometimes you don’t realize the magnificence of your mother’s love until you become one. Sometimes you overlook her intentions, minimize her concerns, and disregard her approach because you think you’ve “got this”. And I am guilty as charged. As a daughter, I complained about the food she made, neglected her concerns, looked down upon her […]
How the Invisible Becomes Visible Again {Naming the Gifts and Giving Thanks}
I’m leading a women’s discipleship group through a 6-week intensive–reading God’s Word and journaling daily, memorizing scripture, serving others and reading Ann‘s book, One Thousand Gifts. And while they read, I re-read it all over again. It’s been over a year and a half since I first read her scratched-out words, and they are still changing […]
My Weekend Wish For You {Together with Joy and Laughter and Love}
Joy can be contagious, and laughter the best medicine. We weren’t created to live life alone, and our hearts are happier and our lives more full when we live life together … when we let go of our inhibitions and live in the now—talking and laughing and embracing just because we can. I used […]
Press On, my Friend! {In Whatever Season You’re In}
I know the good-bye is coming. Because of my experience I know how the time is going to fly. And how is it, I can know that—how can I say I want to make every moment count, but still allow their childish silliness and rowdy laughter to make me crazy on a daily basis? And I […]
For When Loving the Right Way Just Doesn’t Feel Right
I’m learning that sometimes loving the right way doesn’t always feel right in the moment. But loving the right way is a love that acts, beyond the emotions of the now, and fights hard to see the goal at the finish. And this is my challenge. You see, I’ll admit to you … I’m a recovering […]
Trusting is a Risk {But the Sky is the Limit}
We hold hands and the sky is the limit for us. And I say that because I know. I know what it’s like to choose to lose trust. I know how high the stakes are when trust is shattered. And way back at the beginning we decided there would be no secrets. No holding back. Nothing […]
