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 […]
How Long, O Lord?
It was ten years, seven months, and twenty-five days ago that we stood outside the airport in Cancun, Mexico. Hugging goodbye, we were no longer a missionary family of two parents and two children. We had evolved, split off into four adults living in three […]
When God says, “I Will”
When God says, “I will” lives are changed. He speaks these two simple power-packed words six times in Psalm 91. His promises have been my lifeline lately. When my physical therapy brings me to tears, I pray using His words. This week, in the crevice […]
Three Women, One Umbrella
She was compassionate yet strong, a protector, like Christ. I drove around the corner after chatting with my BFF, and there they were. Three women, one umbrella. I don’t know them, so I’m not sure of their relationship to one another. Were they long-time friends, […]
Soul-piercing Moments
There is beauty in being present, even in the soul-piercing moments of life. Today, I celebrated being eight weeks post-surgery. These weeks have held several experiences that have left an indelible mark on my heart. Some moments were joy-packed, overflowing with gratitude, and smiling from […]
Weapons of Righteousness
Last week I had a six-week checkup with my surgeon. He cleared me to begin strength training. He cautioned me about keeping the weights light and to begin with 2 lbs. Two pounds? Perhaps it sounds like nothing to you, but to me, it’s a […]
What Matters Is Knowing What Matters
Amid distractions and noise, it can be easy to lose sight of what matters most. With the holiday season around the corner we can expect to be bombarded with messages telling us what to buy, what to wear, and what to think. But what if […]
Myths and Misconceptions
Have you ever played the party game where you tell two truths and one lie? To win, you must hide the lie among the truths so that it’s hard to distinguish fact from fiction. On the surface, myths and misconceptions can seem like lies. The […]