I had four sweet baby boys at my knees and around my kitchen table. I blinked and now half of them are husbands and fathers. I have become a mother-in-law. This once testosterone-dominated family of mine is now balanced with some much-needed estrogen, thanks to my beloved daughters-in-love.But ... read more
The Grace That Leads
I've lived through as many spiritual seasons as I have these earthy ones. Some of the seasons looked and felt like winter to me. Long and cold, with limited light and a feeling of loneliness on the side. It was constant work to keep the fires burning provided warmth to the soul. Other seasons held ... read more
How to Give the Gift of More Christmas, Less Fuss
What if someone whispered in your ear, "Slow down, savor these moments better" ?It's hustle and bustle time and we race and fill every moment in the name of worship and traditions. We have a tendency to heap on ourselves activities to make this time memorable and meaningful. But what if the key ... read more
How to Never Miss a Harvest
He that observeth the wind shall not sow, and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. -Ecclesiastes 11:4That thing about reaping we tend to forget is that we need to sow. And we need to sow now, not waiting for perfect moments and a perfect family. Not waiting for the well-planned and the ... read more
How to Worship from a Piano Bench or Anywhere
I've wasted a lot of time waiting for "perfect moments" that never come. A perfect worship scenario to me would be my family in the pew, together. My husband, then me and the children lined up like stair steps, perhaps the baby in my arms. No one would drop a hymn book or fall or cry. I would feel ... read more
The Development of a Devotional Life
Talking about my devotional life feels like I am giving you the secret ingredient in the recipe for a glorious day. But I know that it can also be the secret to what holds us together on the hardest of days. Yet what that secret looks like is different in every life, every season.My own ... read more
How to Live in Freedom
Sometimes you just don't know how bound you are until you have a moment of exhilarating freedom and you think to yourself, "This is what it means to be free". And it feels so good. Fresh. Wholesome. Alive.And you promise yourself you will never go back to regulations and expectations. But ... read more
3 Ways for Love to Grow
Less than ten minutes ago, I walked into the living room where hubby was sitting and said, “Quick, name three ways love changes!” Then I noticed the front screen door was open. I have been saying for days we needed to keep that door shut. The outdoor cat is coming in, and staying in, and losing ... read more
What To Do When You Feel Old
It wasn’t a mirror that "done me in" or made me feel old. And that surprised me. I always perceive the mirror or the scales to be my adversaries to a healthy body or age image.At the first signs that the mirror or scale will be speaking lies or distorting truths to me, I brew cups of hot lemon ... read more
4 Surprising Relationship Lessons from the Story of Ruth
Nestled in between dramatic and suspenseful stories of the mighty judges of God and the kings of Israel, is the most popular mother-in-law/daughter-in-law story ever told. Don’t doubt the placement. It is as purposeful as it is fascinating.There’s a peculiar thing we do when we become so ... read more
