For When You’re Laying the Foundation (and it doesn’t feel fruitful yet)
Motherhood

For When You’re Laying the Foundation (and it doesn’t feel fruitful yet)

For months now they’ve been working. Churning up dirt and wreaking mayhem, mostly in the early morning when cars are rushing by on their commute, but often during school pick-up hours, too. A slew of men with hard hats and orange vests intermingling with pig-tailed girls and running boys eager to beat them to the crosswalk.

For weeks I’ve watched those men lay cones, put up barriers, and direct me through the chaos. It seems they’re getting very little done.

When Motherhood Comes in Weakness
Motherhood

When Motherhood Comes in Weakness

I’m not much of a mom these days. At least, that’s what I’m tempted to feel like when I see all the other moms dashing here and there, taking their kids to sports practice and volunteering in their classroom, hosting big birthday parties and planning fun vacations. My son has a mom who spends much of her time in bed, in a recliner, and in doctors’ offices. 

There are moments when I grieve who I can’t be for my 11-year-old, when I mourn the ways my terminal cancer diagnosis has laid heavy burdens on my son’s young shoulders.

You Brought Me So Much Joy, Little One (a story of miscarriage)
Infertility & Miscarriage

You Brought Me So Much Joy, Little One (a story of miscarriage)

Gilia.  That’s the name I chose for the little one we lost, the baby who passed from my womb before we had announced her presence. It’s Hebrew, pronounced Ghee-lee-yah, and means Eternal Joy.   She was too small to know for sure her gender, but my husband said from the moment I showed him the…

Mercy Womb
Infertility & Miscarriage

Mercy Womb

“And her offspring will crush the head of the serpent…” (Genesis 3:15) The opening three chapters of Genesis are known to most of us for their purpose in describing the origin of life, and establishing the character of God as creator.  The depth of these few chapters; however, is as unending as God is eternal. …

Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline
Parenting Books

Long Days of Small Things: Motherhood as a Spiritual Discipline

Forget meditating (I can’t remember what I’m looking for in the fridge, much less what I read three days ago), fasting (I’ve been pregnant or nursing or both for the past six years), or silence (does that even exist anymore? I’ve forgotten). As much as I miss spiritual disciplines, I just . . . can’t. Not…

Where are the Spiritual Mothers? A Titus 2 Vision for Friendship
Mentoring

Where are the Spiritual Mothers? A Titus 2 Vision for Friendship

“I just need some help.” This wasn’t the first time total and utter exhaustion had settled in. Being pregnant with number three made for many challenges while chasing a toddler and spending countless hours on the city bus getting my bigger one to school. “Can you call someone to come over?” my husband asked. My…

The End.

The End.