“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline.” II Timothy 1:7, NIV “It’s not fair,” she declared as she climbed into the warm car, beside me, flicking her hair from her face. The movement adding weight to her words and revealing a stormy expression set deep in…
Category: Challenges
Psalms to Soothe
“In your anger do not sin, when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.” Psalm 4:4 Tossing and turning in bed next to my husband, both my mind and my body refused to be still. As I again mulled over the words spoken in my presence, my feet fidgeted once more….
Anxious about… Nonevents
“Do not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and petition and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV Six o’clock am. I reluctantly exited by bedroom. Wearing yoga pants, fleece top, and sneakers I appeared ready for my morning run. But inwardly I groaned. She had already spied…
Bent and Blooming
My place of retreat had been attacked. My memories didn’t match this sight: broken branches, dirty debris, rogue rocks and mud everywhere. Record-breaking rains had flooded my favorite trail. After the water receded, I braved the large puddles and set off into the unrecognizable woods. Beneath the canopy of flourishing green, the plants and paths…
Impatiently Waiting
“Did the mail arrive,” our high school senior asked breathlessly as she burst through the door after school. “Yes,” I answered smiling, “but it hasn’t come yet.” It was a college acceptance letter she’d been expecting for weeks, anticipating for years. She knew she was set to graduate in a few short months and desperately…
A Good, Good Father
“But Daddy, Why?” our innocent five-year-old daughter stared up into my husband’s face, her eyes conveying she could not comprehend his stance. “It’s not safe for you to drive a car by yourself right now, you need to wait until you’re older, ” he patiently explained. Her puzzled face conveyed that she didn’t agree with…
Everyday: A Day for Grace
I stumbled into the kitchen, weary from tending to a sick daughter most of the night before. Searching the cupboard I sleepily began the usual routine of making breakfast and packing lunches. Another daughter, (this one bright- eyed and bushy- tailed), appeared asking questions. Questions which made no sense at that hour, on that little…
Puzzling Over Pieces
“I will come back to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place.” Jeremiah 29:10b NIV “Mommy, I need help!” Standing in the doorway, I stared aghast into our preschooler’s bedroom. She had found her new puzzles from Grandma. The five thirty-piece puzzles that hadn’t come with a picture. And,…
Entertaining The Apple
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8, NIV) Setting: The Garden of Eden. Today’s target: Eve. Consequences: Potential fatality for all humanity. Satan slithered up and spoke with a simple,…
Grace Wins
“But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6 (NIV, emphasis mine) I cannot believe this is a struggle, I thought as I quietly listened. I knew her story. I knew she had an immense Biblical background. She had many family…