Simplifying… me

I have three young adult children. We have had many conversations over the course of their lives, but as of late, there is one conversation we seem to return to often, and it is that of contentment. They are at that pivotal stage of life where they are always looking ahead at what comes next.
What [...]

Read Full Post »

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Love among us.
Christmas conjures up a myriad of thoughts, feelings, and responses.
Some people twirl through the season like the Nutcracker’s Sugarplum Princess, while others trudge along from November first to December twenty-fifth like [...]

Read Full Post »

For the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
Disappointment.
It often comes when we least expect it.
Hopes held high only to be crushed with an unquestionable, “No.”
Doors closing.
Prayers seemingly unanswered when we’ve waited for so long.
We’ve all been there.
There are no exceptions.
Disappointment is a shared human experience.
If we struggle to find common ground in this [...]

Read Full Post »

Death and mourning. Sadness and despair.
It seemed the story was over. Christ had died and his body lay in a tomb. It was the end of an era as far as anyone could tell.
There was weeping, mourning, uncertainty, and confusion.
What next?
Mary Magdalene stood at the empty grave…certainly, there must be some explanation. Her heart gave [...]

Read Full Post »

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice [...]

Read Full Post »

As I watched the clock strike midnight, its hand leaving 2021 and tick-tock-ticking its way into 2022, I felt a wave of relief. Covid and transition left me feeling kind of empty. Rather than enter the new year with a bang, I mostly coasted in on fumes.
I came down with a fever on Christmas Day [...]

Read Full Post »

Immanuel

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
Christmas is here, and [...]

Read Full Post »

Love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16

For God so loved…
The word “so,” when used as an adverb, can have a few different meanings. It can express the degree or extent of something, or it [...]

Read Full Post »

Joy

The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look forward to something greater to come. Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Troubled souls.
I can be included in that category. Troubled. Imperfect. Poor in spirit. In need of a Savior.
Hope and peace turn our hearts [...]

Read Full Post »

Dear Mom of a child who is on the autism spectrum…I just want to say something to you today.
Whether you are on the back-and-forth pendulum swinging from grief to relief with a brand new diagnosis, or if you are still wondering – somewhere in the back of your mind – if there is something more [...]

Read Full Post »