Battle
There are some nights when I collapse into my bed in complete weariness. Most nights I am ready for sleep, tired from all the running around and dishes and laundry and logistics and cleaning up, etc., etc. But I’m talking…
The Problem with 4
When I see a problem, I have a tendency to get tunnel vision. It feels like it’s my responsibility to solve or fix the problem, if it’s within my ability to do so. But it can consume me. My brain,…
God and Sinners Reconciled
“Sin has broken the most important relationship in all of life, the relationship between people and their Creator. This separation alters everything in each of our lives…The bond between God and mankind has been broken. Fear has replaced love. Hiding…
Thoughts During Advent: Labor of Love
Several years ago, my husband and I were invited to perform a song as part of a church’s Christmas worship service. As we were waiting our turn, we sang along with the congregation in various Christmas anthems. The last one…
Thoughts During Advent: What to Expect When You’re [Mary] Expecting
Nine months. For some women, the time during pregnancy flies. I wonder how the time felt to Mary. As soon as I found out that I was pregnant, I immediately wanted to tell everyone! I wonder how long Mary waited…
Thoughts During Advent: Do Not Be Afraid
Can you imagine it? You’re going about your day, and an angel appears and starts speaking to you! “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you,” he announces. The Bible says that Mary was “greatly troubled at this statement and…
Cultivating Self-Control: It Takes the Spirit Plus Some Effort
Note: I wrote this as a guest post for Mary Kathryn Tiller: Cultivating a Faithful Heart Amid a Frenzied World. When I caught my son sneaking Netflix after he was supposed to be in bed, I could’ve used some self-control.…
The Dale Family
A friend of mine from college recently lost her son to the horrible disease known as cancer. He had been battling it for about a year and a half, and he was just a few days shy of his sixth…
Towel Hugs
I don’t remember how it started, but sometime after my firstborn learned to walk, the tradition of “towel hugs” began at our house. Here’s how it works. After the toddler/preschooler gets out of the bath, they give their hooded towel…
Our Family Is Growing
A few years ago, Kevin and I began to feel that we should expand our family. It’s not that we thought that having three kids wasn’t enough. We weren’t bored. We weren’t missing the baby days. Rather, we felt compelled…