“Patrick revealed, among other things, that he believed the gospel he preached. He believed that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, Roman nor barbarian. He believed that God can utterly transform a human heart. He believed that he could rely entirely on God’s mercy, rather than being compelled to paper…
In summer of 2011 I cared for Ron’s mom in her last weeks. While I was away from home, one of my boys mowed the yard. He didn’t know that Indian Paintbrushes look dead long before their seeds are ready. We had one large patch of these bright wildflowers. To him they looked dead so…
What if eating healthy food, getting off the couch, going outside, and moving a bit isn’t just about living longer? What if God knew every one of your days before one of them came to be? What if He determines the number of your days? What if self-care isn’t just about being more emotionally stable?…
So. Yesterday I was reading Numbers. Aaron, Moses’s brother, climbed a mountain and died. I’m sure this is a sign that we should never climb mountains. Or even small hills. Just to be safe. (Just a bit of humor for your day.) Seriously, though. This got me to thinking. Others often believe if they understand…
Junk. So much junk in my past. So many times they hurt me or tried to control me and lied. I have forgiven them. I wish them well. But I cannot have them in my life. I wish I could have a relationship with them. But I can’t. I’m not willing. Or I’m not strong…
At ten weeks there was no heartbeat. My doctor ordered an ultrasound. They found no baby. The baby whose heartbeat we had heard a week before was gone. I was cramping and bleeding. Not enough to be life-threatening, but definitely uncomfortable and definitely something to monitor. My doctor was slow to order a D&C in…
Dear Musician friends, I’ve heard many of you play. I’ve been to your performances. You are very talented. You must practice often. I know you do. Sometimes you practice for an hour or more each day. Sometimes you practice alone, sometimes with a few other musicians. Have you considered spending time one day each month…
In the past couple of days I’ve received phone calls, messages, and texts from half a dozen women who need comfort, help, or love. Some of them I hadn’t heard from in months or years. I like them all. They are wonderful ladies. Here is a conversation between my husband and me: Me: It’s like…
Day four of breathing treatments. I don’t have asthma, but since a short bout with pneumonia ten years ago, when I get a respiratory infection I need breathing treatments. It rarely happens, but when I do get this kind of sick, it can be scary. I have one now. I’ve had it since Sunday night.…
The past few weeks I’ve wanted vengeance. I confessed my weaknesses and need for help. Friends prayed. One rebuked me (in love). My attitude changed. Not by my will, but, I’m sure, because of friends who love me. Now I want to be a minister of reconciliation. This is what I wanted at the beginning…
Looking back over my writings the first year after The Accident. I was able to turn towards God and His truth even as I walked through loss. I’m walking through a different kind of loss now. A different kind of trial. This is hard. I can’t. I can’t turn towards God and truth. I can’t…
Even in hard times, we can choose gratitude.
I’d forgotten this truth until a woman reminded last week. She chose gratitude in her grief. She encouraged me to do the same.
Are you questioning God? In our trials and grieve, it’s okay to question Him. He will answer.
Another year has passed. I realize I am not the first mother to lose her son. Eve grieved Abel. Mary grieved Jesus. I will not be the last. Many others will walk this road. But knowing these things does not make losing my Andrew easier. What has made this loss bearable is knowing my son…
