She delivered her fourth baby yesterday and you could hear her struggle all the way down the hall. Amidst the repeated attempts of the anesthesiologist to remedy the problem, her epidural never worked. And while birth is a beautiful moment, the journey to arrive there is work–painful and excruciating work–which makes it almost impossible to imagine […]
MS 010: Crystal Stine ~ Job Loss, Crisis, & Financial Hardship
Welcome to episode 010 of Mud Stories! Mud Stories is a podcast dedicated to bringing you inspiration in your muddiest moments, hope to make it through your mud, and encouragement for you to know, you are not alone. In today’s episode I’m talking with my friend (and yours) Crystal Stine–a toddler-wrangling, coffee & chocolate loving, full-time […]
MS 006: Emily Wierenga ~ Anorexia, Hope, and How to See God
Welcome to episode 006 of Mud Stories! Mud Stories is a podcast dedicated to bringing you inspiration in your muddiest moments, hope to make it through your mud, and encouragement for you to know, you are not alone. In today’s episode I’m talking to Emily Wierenga, an award-winning journalist, columnist, artist, author and blogger at emilywierenga.com. […]
In the Aftermath of a Mighty Storm, We are Changed
It was an ordinary Sunday afternoon. That is until the storm began. The storm that wasn’t in our Southern CA forecast–the spring flash storm we weren’t even expecting. The sun was shining with a brilliant blue sky. And then the clouds rolled in, announcing the beginning–blocking the sun, and darkening the sky. Then the wind […]
Dear Woman with Pain and Regret…
I see you. And I know you. I watch you walk in, and smear a smile on your face, convincing your troubled heart everything’s fine for now. How you’ve put on just the right outfit, wrapped that trendy scarf around your neck, and sauntered in, praying no one will detect what’s happening way inside. You […]
How to Ditch Your Apathy and Fight for Your Marriage
We didn’t really fight much. That’s the crazy part. Because if a marriage is unraveling, most people assume there’s fighting. And that’s exactly why it was such a shock to everyone when I confessed my affair. No. Fighting is not the indicator of marital disintegration. The real indicator is apathy… [Tweet that] And apathy happens […]
When God Gives Suffering :: {How to Suffer Well}
I started a new exercise program last week. It’s called Insanity and now I know why … it is insane! I’m sore in places I never knew existed, which serves me right since I’ve pretty much been taking an “exercise vacation” since running my half-marathon last October. Yes, it’s true. Me and exercise … we […]
How to Understand Tragedy and Suffering
The morning is new, the breeze is cool, and the sun is climbing into the sky when our ship reaches the Maui shore. The blue ocean waves shimmer in the light and the rocking of the tender boat soothes our welcome to the quaint city of Lahaina. And as we get off the boat and […]
When Boston Bombs and Tragedy & Suffering Bring Doubt
Boston bombs … and in our tragedy and suffering we dangle with doubt. Our hands hold on and our hearts grieve, for the hope we long to keep. Our innocence is long-lost and our trust in peace is shattered. And we sit and wait for answers and wrestle to understand why. One tragedy follows another, […]
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 […]