I love Christmas, but I didn’t always.
Growing up, Christmas meant my dad drank more, my mom fussed more, and my parents fought more.
All I wanted was a little of that “peace on earth,” that we sang about in church. (Yes, we went to church.)
Sometimes “peace” is all a kid really wants for Christmas. Read more…
For over a decade we were joined at the hip. Not a day went by when we didn’t talk on the phone…at least once.
But sometimes friendships come unhinged.
People change. Perspectives change. Purposes change. Passions change.
While nothing went terribly wrong, and no hurtful words were exchanged, the void was vast beyond bridging. Read more…
One last wish.
The longing of a dying mother’s heart.
A wish that only one person could have satisfied. But he didn’t.
If you’ve read any of my books, you know that my childhood was a cauldron of violent arguments, alcohol induced rage, and physically terrifying fights. As a child I saw things that a child should never see and heard things that a child should never hear. Read more…
I sat by her bed.
Her hand swollen…full…unmoving.
Feet that danced just a few weeks ago now stilled.
Arms that lifted just a short time ago now limp.
Words that spilled easily just a moment ago now haulted.
How could life seep away so quickly, right before my eyes?
Mom was ready. 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…
Today we’re going to do a little something different. Rather than writing a Blog Post, I’m going to share a video lesson from my on-line Bible Study of A Sudden Glory. It’s about 15 minutes long, so grab a cup of coffee and let’s have a chat.
For those who are new to my blog, Read more…
I sat on my back porch, wrapped in my fuzzy worn robe—the one that’s twenty years old that I just can’t seem to get rid of.
The birch trees waved “good morning,” and the newly planted gerbera daisies stretched their faces to the sun…just a bit higher than the day before.
Then I heard him. The rooster. Read more…
(Congratulations to Linda and Tammy Jo. Winners of the Starbucks gift cards from the comments of the last blog post,
Steve, Steven, and I pulled up our chairs at a cowboy barbecue in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was a ho-down sure ‘nough. About 500 of us pretend cow pokes sidled up to paper covered tables with steaming plates of chow. Read more…
