I sat on my porch with my Bible in my lap and a hot mug of steamy in my hand. Early morning is my favorite time of day. Just me and Jesus and a smattering of birds.
I closed my Bible and looked out across the backyard. My eyes landed on a rounded mound of fur nestled in the grass under the willow tree. Read more…
911
Mom punched in the numbers and waited for the ambulance to arrive. She was having intense abdominal pains and the vomiting wouldn’t stop.
I got the call, and for the next six weeks sat by her bed and watched her slip away. We talked about everything from the distribution of her material possessions to the best shampoo for shiny hair. Read more…
While I am away taking care of my mom, I have invited one of my dear friends, Emily T. Wierenga, to share her heart with you. I read her wonderful book, Atlas Girl, this summer while on vacation. As I read about Emily’s struggles and joys of taking care of her mother who was suffering from brain cancer, Read more…
I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but I’ve been absent for a few weeks. I’ve been hunkered down working on a new writing project. Would you like a sneak peek? Here you go.
I was alone, or least I felt that way. Women huddled in happy clusters chatting about first one thing and then the other. Read more…
Oh friend, I don’t know what you are going through today. But I do know this: God is not surprised or worried. He’s got this.
I’ll admit, I’ve had quite a month.
For starters, someone created a fake Facebook page using my name, my pictures and my identity. If I didn’t know better, Read more…
A few weeks ago, I was in the airport, headed to New Jersey. It was a typical rush, rush, rush morning.
Grab the bags, trudge through traffic, hunt for a parking space, follow the herd, wade through security, dash to the gate.
Folks aren’t usually very friendly in airports.
Eyes look straight ahead. Purposed feet slap the floor. Read more…
Last Sunday my pastor had to do some housekeepin’ fussin’ at our congregation before he started his sermon. It was a “Visitors, close your ears” moment as Jimmy interrupted the service for an important message from our neighbors.
See, right beside our church property is a City Park. On Sundays, when our parking lot is full, we tend to use the City Park lot for our overflow parking. Read more…
You know what? I liked my last post. I liked the beauty in my yard all white with snow. I loved how you love it!
But I never want you to think better of me than I really am. The snow melted. The mud remained. And the ordinary bread-and-butter plain days were back.
There were a few days between then and now when I wasn’t exactly sleuthing for God’s fingerprints throughout my day. Read more…
It snowed last week.
For some of you, that is not a big deal. But for me, living in the South, it was a shining display of glory all around.
I breathed in the majesty of creation; breathed out the gratitude of grace.
Thinking of the power of the gospel to cleanse. Read more…
2014
new year with new challenges…and a few old ones that slid right on over into 2014 like grease on a slick countertop.
Tell me, have you ever wanted to throw up your hands because the same old struggles cling to your heart and wrap around your soul.
“Why bother! I’ve prayed. I’ve tried. I’ve cried. Read more…