My daughter is grieving over the death of a friend who took her own life. Death is hard, but even more so when despair leads to an end no one expected. My daughter and I talk frequently, and “How are you doing?” is a question I repeatedly ask.
All in Comfort
God Whispers – A Life of Memories Captured in a Quilt
My mom loved to sew, and she made my clothes when I was growing up. She took such great care in making them that I would often get asked, “Where did your mom buy that dress?” I would proudly say, “She made it for me.” She would do alterations for friends and family. Her work was so well done that she could have opened her own clothing store. But she charged nothing. She said it was a gift that God gave her that she enjoyed sharing.
Hegemony of the Mind
Hegemony is a noun that means “leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social group over others,” according to Oxford Languages. I looked up the definition one day after hearing the word referenced in a news report.
Light in a Jar
They’re back! There’s one. There’s another. Look over there. I see it too! The lightning bugs had returned to brighten the evening hours. The girls squealed with amazement at the sight, and my own mind went back to childhood days when we ran to catch them in Mason jars then marveled at the twinkling container.
Comfort in Crisis: Where Do You Turn?
What’s your default reaction when you're exhausted, frustrated, or in crisis?
For me, it’s chocolate. It always seems to help—at least in the moment!
Jesus is with You—Daddy’s Footsteps
Growing up, I could recognize my dad’s footsteps, whether he was wearing his work shoes or his favorite worn-out house slippers.
The steady rhythm of his steps comforted me. I knew Dad was nearby, and I felt safe.
The Unexpected Way
Looking at a beautiful mountain range, I considered how life is full of peaks and valleys. There are good moments and bad moments. But at the height of the peaks, I cannot see the valley ahead… just looming past the horizon.
A Tranquil Moment
But, for that instant, I could rest in the quiet beauty when all was well. I must not miss those moments, for they are rare among the rush of the world. They exist as God’s good gifts, like His Son, His Salvation, His grace, His love, and His ever-present counselor, His Holy Spirit.
God Moments – The Lake House
The emotional and physical toll Alzheimer’s takes on the patient and family is grueling. Alzheimer’s is a cruel illness.
But I have learned to capture some beautiful moments in the conversations I share with my uncle who, for the last several years, has been dealing with the disease.
Searching for Joy
Are you searching for joy?
Me too.
Encountering Jesus – Finding Peace in the Storm
I put my arms around his trembling body and, as I patted his head, I reassured him we were safe. Soon he fell asleep in my arms. I wish I could be that calm in my storms, I thought, as he drifted into a deep sleep.
Our Dependable God
My youthful father transformed rugged acreage into a small working ranch. The five springs on the property helped him envision the land’s potential.
Contagious Wounds
Through tears, she told me that her marriage was over. Her husband filed for divorce and the shock and grief shattered her. “Wounds are contagious”, she said. Heartbroken, I prayed for her and looked for ways to minister to her, and my mind revisited that phrase over and over: Wounds are contagious.
Rest for my Soul
Rest for my soul? Soul Rest! Soul Rest just might be the most valuable commodity in today’s economy. It is something I have sought and treasured since the earliest days of my life.
Hemmed In
Walking the paved dam between two small lakes, I noticed a family of ducks paddling toward shore. Noticeably, the mother duck led the family while the father duck anchored the end of the line. Several ducklings swam effortlessly between the two.
God is “able to” but What if He Chooses “not to”…
I watched my mom lose her battle with a wretched disease and yet watched, at the same time, the miracle of life growing inside me.
Help, I Have a Hole in My Heart!
I watched my friend, Virginia, as she greeted friends at Sid’s funeral. He had suffered a stroke and fought a futile battle for life for several months. How difficult it was for a wife to watch as her husband suffered. Now he was gone.
The Touch of Love
She spoke reassuringly, “I believe in the power of human touch, and I will be holding your hand during the surgery.”
A Song of Love
I could recognize the melody but not the words. It was my son singing his seven-year-old daughter to sleep.