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 […]
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 […]