“For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” This quote from John Greenleaf Whittier was on Jeopardy, and it’s stuck with me. The four saddest words are simple, yet profound. What comes to mind when you hear […]
Savor The Moment
The final sip or the last bite? Which one do you savor most? Staring at the table before me, I contemplated this choice. I decided to eat the last bite of cake and follow it with the final sip of coffee. I’m grateful that minuscule […]
So, How Did It Go?
Our family, meaning my husband, our two children and me, often speak to one another in movie quotes. “So, how did it go?” is a line we picked up many years ago from the movie Aladdin. My husband often used Iago, the parrot’s voice, to […]
We Love Because
Six weeks ago, we left Belize with two suitcases, two backpacks, and two grieving hearts. A parent’s death changes everything. It changes how we view life, how we value relationships, and how we relate to God. For 18 years we’ve served as missionaries. Five years […]
Who Do the Crowds Say that I Am?
Jesus has questions about Himself, but He doesn’t ask from a lack of self-knowledge. He asks from a place of teaching, from a place of loving concern, and from a desire to connect with the disciples. Jesus lived His life in constant unity with the […]
My Grandmother’s Cornbread
Eating dinner at my grandparent’s house was always a treat. The lingering aroma of yummy homebaked goodness greeted my brothers and me at the door each Sunday after church. I have many cherished food memories, each one a delight to the senses. Do you have […]
The Problem with Motivation
Do you know the problem with motivation? Motivation is a feeling, and feelings are subject to change. Strong feelings of “I got this” at the beginning of the year might dissolve in the reality of the day-to-day grind. Motivation feels. Discipline does. Motivation inspires the […]
Make Room in Your Heart
By now we’ve made room in our homes for gifts, family, and friends. An old Christmas carol says, “Let every heart prepare Him room.” I’m grateful for Mary’s example. Her story teaches the importance of making room in your heart. Mary opened space in her […]
The Gift That You Cannot Buy
It’s that time of year when we check our lists against our available funds to determine who gets what. But what about the gift you cannot buy? The gift that is a sacrifice and not an item on your to-do list. As we count down […]
Gratitude and Grief
In the last few days, I’ve learned that gratitude and grief can coexist in the same heart. God’s grace is indeed sufficient for both. Grace makes space to cherish the memories of our loved one while missing the warmth of their presence. I’m grateful for […]