I was just a wisp of a girl–a six-year-old, forty-pound monkey with gangly arms and legs who vowed she could do anything her eleven-year-old mischievous brother, Stewart, could do. Standing on the glistening sand of Bogue Inlet Beach, N.C., I hungrily watched as Stewart and his friend, Jeffery, plunged into the briny waters at the end of the island where the Atlantic Ocean merged with the Intracostal Waterway. Read more…
When “For Better or Worse” Shows its Worse Side
I can still remember being sequestered in the “Bride’s Room” of our church just moments before the organist began to play for the early arrivals. As I sat in front of an oversized gilded mirror trying not to wrinkle my dress, I daydreamed about the man who would become my husband by day’s end. He was everything I had ever hoped for: handsome, Read more…
When You Have the “Why Bother” Blues
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…
When You Feel Like This Old House
Have you ever felt like this old house?
Sagging beams.
Rotting floors.
Collapsing roof.
Crumbling foundation.
Overgrown landscape.
Peeling paint.
Empty rooms.
Deserted.
Have you ever felt like you were on the verge of collapse?
I have.
Sometimes I just get tired, Read more…
DEATH, ROOMMATES, & A RANDOM CAT
One of the new features of my Blog is that I will have Guest Bloggers post from time to time. This will usually be when I’ve read something that stirs my heart, and want to share it with you. That’s what I’m doing today.
My brother left his wife and three teenage kids several years ago. (See, I told you I was just like you with messy families and the whole bit.) My sister-in-law has remained one of my best friends and his children are like my own. Read more…
How to Experience an Adventurous Faith
I sat in a giant swing with two other crazy women. Strapped in. Hanging on. Poised to be flung out over a cliff…over and above a valley below…way below.
I’m excited to meet Jesus. I really am. But this was not how I envisioned it happening.
We were at a women’s retreat in Colorado, and I was the speaker. Read more…
The Beauty of Boundaries
Talk to any mom and ask what a two-year-old’s favorite word is and most will agree. It’s “no.”
When my son was two years old, it certainly was his.
“Steven, put up your toys,” was met by, “No.”
“Steven, time for a nap,” was countered with, “No.”
“Steven, eat your green beans,” was resisted with, Read more…
6 Truths of Trials to Hang Your Hat On
Sometimes life doesn’t turn out the way we thought it would. Sometimes unexpected difficulties knock us off our feet and out of breath. Sometimes painful situations stab tender emotions already left fragile by past hurts.
In my own life, I’ve pondered the broken pieces of shattered dreams, and I’ve been amazed at what God has done with the pieces. Read more…
Trusting God to Lead the Dance
OK, now that’s a funny picture of me. I couldn’t figure out how to get the video to put a different one.
Today I am recouperating from a red-eye flight home from Oregon where I spent three days speaking at a retreat for some AMAZING women, one day with my AMAZING agent, and one day with my AMAZING Harverst House Publishing Team. Read more…
What To Do With a Broken Dream
I’ve been thinking about broken dreams lately.
We’ve all got them. Just different ones.
So what are you going to do with yours?
[tweetherder]Could it be that God is waiting for you to give Him the broken pieces of your shattered dreams so that He can make a beautiful mosaic from them?[/tweetherder]
Could it be that you are clinging tightly to the shards and refusing to let them go? Read more…