Growing Tears I waited patiently for God to help me; then He listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path, and steadied me as I walked along. — Psalm 40:1-2 TLB As a…
Journey into the Fire of Surrender
For He will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. — Malachi 3:2-3 The embers glowed as the blacksmith stoked the fire. One callused hand held a piece of metal to…
Home For Christmas
I pulled my five-year-old closer to my chest and planted a kiss on the top of her head. I was reading about the memorial services for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. My daughter Lenya was sitting on my lap, snuggling me. We had nicknamed her “Lenya Lion” for her ferocious personality…
Grief: The No-Change For a Year Rule
“No change for a year.” That’s the mantra of all grief counselors, particularly those who work in the funeral business. When you lose a loved one, don’t make any sudden moves. No new jobs. No new house. No new haircut. Just keep steady. That makes sense, really. We take comfort in the familiar — old slippers, old chairs,…