Last year, during one of those miraculously divine appointments that only our great God can arrange, a beautiful, bright-eyed college student walked into my life. As I’ve gotten to know this young lady, I’ve discovered that God has blessed her with a multitude of gifts. She’s smart, sensitive and compassionate. She possesses a heart…
Making a Place for God
Several years ago I was roped into trying to read the Bible in ninety days. I say “roped” not because I didn’t want to do it or because I thought it was a bad idea, but because I suspected it would be nearly impossible for a busy mom. But I eventually decided to give…
4 Ways to Honor God on Valentine’s Day
I love loving the people who are special to me. I love all things sweet and sappy and sentimental. I love red puffy hearts and pink shiny bows and glittery Valentine cards. I love heart-shaped pancakes in the morning, heart-shaped sandwiches at lunch and heart-shaped pizzas for dinner. I love presents covered in heart wrapping paper…
How to Help Your Kids Crush Comparison
How to Help Your Kids Crush Comparison My daughter was in second grade when she decided that she hated her hair. Anyone can see that her hair is beautiful; in fact, strangers have often stopped us on the street to tell us so. She has gorgeous light brown ringlets with blonde highlights that frame her…
What Should We Teach Our Kids About Friendship?
People who know me say that I’m friendly and hospitable. Often, I’m asked to reach out to others because I have a knack for making people feel safe, cared about and loved. Extending hospitality and compassion to others is always a blessing, but may I let you in on a little secret? The reason…
The Bedtime Battle
If you’re raising small children or have raised small children, then you know the bedtime battle is real. I have the opposite problem now with teenagers in my house who nearly sleep more hours than they’re awake, but I do remember the days. I’ll never forget when my son disregarded that the consequence for…
Becoming My Truest Self
I adored our family of four. We had two happy, silly, lovable boys who were just beginning preschool and kindergarten. Steve and I were starting to feel like real adults, with jobs and kids and a house to take care of. Life was complicated, but beautiful. We each had our own personalities and quirks, which…
Helping Our Teens Awaken Their Dreams and Live in Hope
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us… — Ephesians 3:20 Everywhere we go it seems people ask my daughter the same questions. “Where do you want to go to college?” “What do you want to…
Church of the Small Things: Things I Wish I’d Known When I Became a Mom
The Bible says, “Point your kids in the right direction — when they’re old they won’t be lost” (Proverbs 22:6 MSG), which means it’s our job to give them what is basically a road map for life. It takes work and perseverance and dedication to raise our kids. It takes sacrifice and commitment and dying…
Helping Our Kids Know That God Is Real
Last night in Kids’ Church we discussed the topic of being a hero. The program used the acronym H.E.R.O (helping others, evangelizing, relying on God, and obeying God). The kids shared different ways and places they can tell others about God. We came to the conclusion that anyone (age doesn’t matter) can share about…