There’s a lot of effort and attention placed on gifts this time of year. I’m proud to report I have 95% of my Christmas shopping done and wrapped. I’m a planner; what can I say? I love the process of finding gifts that make people happy. Some of the gift ideas came from the individuals, but my favorite gifts …
The last week I’ve spent sitting with God, processing a time of worship, grace, and conviction that occurred at church on April 28. It wasn’t until now that I felt ready to share. It was one of those experiences that you hold close because it is so personal; protecting its fragility because you are afraid that you’ll …
I may be the world’s worst texter. Just ask my daughter. The only thing worse than the mistakes I make typing are the ones I make dictating. I’ve said some pretty funny things to people because I thought dictating a message was a better option than typing one. Just for the record, for me, it’s not. There is one …
Every year at Christmas I write my daughter a letter. I started when she was six months old. I write about the experiences we had during the year, what she’s learned, how she’s grown, and I tell her how very proud I am of her and how much she is loved. I kept them in a special box …
Just saying that word makes some people uncomfortable. Feelings are icky. Feelings are complicated. Feelings are for the weak. Feelings are to be managed, even suppressed. Men don’t cry. Women are overly emotional. You’ve heard it all. And I’ll bet you’ve even uttered some of these words to yourself. I certainly have. “This isn’t the time or place.” “You need to be strong.” “If …
If you’ve followed this blog for long, you know that God so often speaks to me when I’m in nature. Sometimes when I’m walking. Sometimes gardening. And last week, while on the tractor mowing. As I was listening to my praise music playlist on Spotify. My settings allow Spotify to suggest similar songs to those on my playlist; it’s …
Like a lot of parents right now, I am facing a much too quiet house. One that is missing the footsteps, laughs, and presence of my college-aged daughter. Saturday, we made the trip to return her to college and we all struggled with the juxtaposition of sadness and excitement. Tears flowed freely in our home the week preceding …
Perfect Circle in Nature
McDonalds makes you fat. Smoking makes you sick. Materialism makes you poor. Lies. All of them. McDonald’s doesn’t have the power to make you fat; you choose to eat poorly on a regular basis. Smoking doesn’t make you sick; you choose to smoke knowing the potential consequences. Materialism doesn’t make you poor; your choice to buy things you …
When something bad happens – whether it be a personal loss or a national tragedy – some of the first comments you hear from believers and non-believers alike are, “How could God allow this?” Or “How could your God do this?” From the mouths of believers, these statements are often attributed to a broken heart, raw …