Category: Parenting
It’s Simple, not easy: Being a Christmas Blessing
I love experiencing the beauty of our living room this time of year. The warmth of a fire, bright...
Read More
If He Had A Refrigerator…
Even after 22 years, I still miss my daddy. Father’s Day reminds me that he is gone, but it also offers me the opportunity to remember these gifts of life that he gave me. And it calls me to receive afresh the love and value my Abba Father wants to lavish on me, his daughter.
Read More
Who Was Driving?
Reading Anisa’s words I am deeply struck as I connect with her heart that fiercely loves her...
Read More
A Guide To The Pain That Slaps You In The Face
Our burden is real, there’s no doubt. But it isn’t mine to carry alone. It was an invitation, in the most unexpected place, to come weary and trade this burden for rest. It was a gentle reminder that I don’t have to hold it all together. I can’t undo the pain of a past or avoid the pain of the present but I can trust that the one who was there continues to carry the weight and will be faithful to heal.
Read More
I’m Dreaming of a Shame-Free Christmas
You can tell a lot about a person by their feelings on the classic movie, White Christmas. {Mostly whether they’re an elf or a scrooge, but I try not to judge…} Even my use of the adjective “classic” is a dead giveaway and implies a certain head shake toward anyone who might go for another descriptor, say, cloying or omnipresent. My adoration for the movie is well-documented in my Google search history. There has been at least one deep dive into both Wikipedia and IMDB for interesting morsels surrounding this film, none of which are as cool as the fact that my aunt once spent a lovely evening in a night club where a young Rosemary Clooney was the singer.
Read More
Dear Future Me: on regret, memory, and keeping the record straight
Though Holly’s littlest bitty is now almost 5, her words here are timeless. As so many are on the...
Read More
When Dreams Don’t Come True
I still remember her slightly cynical giggle as she heard my story of adopting 3 children at once...
Read More
Moments of BLESSing on Vacation
I struggle with enjoying what I am doing, when I am doing it – especially on vacation. I would love to savor moments, instead of spending so much time regretting what we didn’t do or wishing we had done something differently.
Read More
Picture Perfect
…when we say no to a random or spur-of-the-moment picture, what we’re really saying is, “Don’t remember I was here.” This is far deeper than a body image issue. This is about presence, contribution, connection in friendship, and family identity.
Read More
Fingers Pointing Right On Back
David and I have decided our goal in parenting is for our girls to look back and see love. In spite of all our mistakes and flaws, quick reproaches or unattainable expectations, we want them to reflect and remember love. There is much at stake. We don’t want to get in the way of the redemptive work of God in their hearts. When these two covenant babies hear the voice of the Father say, “You are mine,” we want it to sound so right, so familiar, so easy to follow because it’s as if they’ve heard it all their lives. May they never remember a day when they did not worship the One True King.
Read More
Not My Child
In the face of brokenness, I take a deep breath. My heart is breaking as I try not to imagine the...
Read More
Surrendering to a New Identity
As we made our way to China, we were all nervous and excited… and we couldn’t help but wonder constantly, what must be going through her mind? What was she thinking that morning? She had to know that something was different.
Read More
