I often “find” myself in the stories of the Bible (it’s one of the reasons I keep reading), but recently I found myself in a new way in one of the old stories (which is another reason I keep reading – the words don’t change, but my understanding does). In Luke 7, Jesus is having dinner at the home of …
Measuring Your Child’s Value
{This is a guest post I wrote for a blog-series called: “Helping Children Build A Strong Sense of Self-Worth.” Take a minute to read the whole series here or here. Thanks to Lisa and Tanya for encouraging moms to think and write about this topic and more.} Early in our children’s elementary school experience I learned to dread “The Weekly Folder.” Very early. …
The Power of Vulnerability
Vulnerability is scary. If you know about my worst mistakes (and the shame I feel about them) there’s a chance you will choose to reject me or even mistreat me. Even though I know that everyone makes mistakes, I still wonder if my mistakes are worse and my shame is deeper. It’s as if somewhere along the way to trapping our …
I Wish I Could Earn God’s Love
I like to be seen as capable and competent. I like it when people ask me to be in charge or take on a leadership role. I like it when people tell me I’m doing a good job. As I’m learning, learning, learning to live loved I see how my desire to be seen as a capable and competent person has …
Happy Blog-day!
They say 1 dog year = 7 human years. If that’s true, I think 1 blog year = about 17 thousand million human years. One year ago this week I launched this blog so I’m basically an expert on this. To mark the one year anniversary, I’m going back to the beginning. This is one of the first things I …
Solitude Cures Loneliness
Last Fall I was in Colorado, attending a conference by myself. The conference was at a beautiful resort in an idyllic mountain setting. My room had a big comfy chair and French doors I could open to enjoy the cool Fall breeze. It was an ideal place to be alone. The night before I was scheduled to leave, the front desk clerk …
Why The Disciples Were Disappointed at Easter
I love Easter! I bounce into Spring, happy the dreary days of Lent are over. I look forward to Easter Sunday, with full pews, pretty dresses, and our family’s annual Easter party. I like Easter because I like happy endings. I love that the Easter story ends with Jesus triumphantly defeating death. Way to go, God! But this year I …
Be The Boss
Be The Boss Of Your Own Life, Stop Letting Your Schedule Run You “Now that I’ve had the taste of running something, I don’t think I could go back,” my husband said as we pondered the benefits (and challenges) of being self-employed. Self-employment is something a lot of people talk and write about. Often they talk about it wistfully as …
How Traveling Makes God Bigger
“What dam?” my sweet daughter asked innocently. “What dam?!” I responded incredulously. My tone conveyed how very annoyed I was by her question. Partly I blame the heat. Afterall, it was 110℉. Partly I blame sweet daughter. How could she ask that question? How could she have missed the d‑a‑r‑n dam! We had just completed a two-hour float trip at …
Spring Clean Your Attitude in 3 Steps
I was standing in my closet the other day, contemplating how badly it needs to be cleaned out. Standing there and thinking wasn’t as productive as actually cleaning it out, but —to be honest— I still felt like I accomplished something. Standing there, I came face to face with reality. My closet is crowded with stuff I don’t need. There …