Got too many plans today? Maybe, He’s calling you to something simpler.
Category: Faith
Shiny Souvenirs or Distractions?
Jauntily, Minna swayed from side to side, carefully balancing the six- foot branch in her mouth. She quickened her pace, holding her head high as if she wanted the entire neighborhood to admire her large limb that only a big, strong Rottie could carry. Pride just oozed with each step closer to home, where we’d…
Encouragement in the Ordinary
If you have ever had a day home with young children, you know the challenges that arise. Fussiness. Clutter. Screams ringing in your ears and unpleasant smells assaulting your nostrils. Even the most positive among us might call it a bad day by nightfall. Maybe Mary was having a bad day. If you’ve ever been…
Choosing to See Treasure
Back in January, I had plans for this year. Places I scheduled to see, things I was thrilled to do, and people I was cherishing to do life with. But then a few things happened. Some small, but a few loomed large. And those happenings changed my plans. As weeks extended into months of altered…
God Understood Mary’s Need
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” Luke 1:45, NIV Mary knew her life path had veered into unchartered territory. I knew Gabriel had visited me and I clearly recalled his pronouncement. It was just so hard to believe God was doing this, and doing…
A Most Divine Interruption
“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you,’” Luke 1:28 NIV The young Mary startled at the angel’s appearance. She hadn’t received notice of Gabriel’s impending arrival. Her mother never instructed her on how to entertain angels. Mary simply had no idea what to do!…
When Thanksgiving Isn’t a Feeling
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 NIV Soon, those of us in the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving. We remember what the Pilgrims did, thanking God for seeing them through their first year here in their settlement. They…
(Back in the) Habit of Thanksgiving
“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.” II Corinthians 9:15 “What is a Thanksgiving Box?” our youngest daughter asked our oldest. “It was a decorated shoe box we would fill with strips of paper outlining what we are thankful for. We’d fill it all year long and then open it on Thanksgiving Day.” Our…
Thriving in a Crisis
Social-distancing. Virtual learning. Maskne. This is our new vocabulary courtesy of 2020! Our world from 2019 is turned upside-down. Socializing, school schedules, even facial care routines have all been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many in society are unsure about job stability, personal finances, and when our world will ever recover! We are not alone…
Heart Check
Scrolling through social media I often feel assaulted by angry, accusatory posts. We are living through a difficult time where our world feels turned upside down; everything we knew is now different. I get it. Our tolerance levels are at an all-time low while tension is at an all-time high. There was a time when…