“I want be on the swim team like Natalie,” Avery announced shortly after she turned six. She’d even put on Natalie’s team suit and Speedo goggles to show that she meant business. The suit was drooping in the rear and the goggles were on upside down, but this was no laughing matter. In fact, this…
Only Love Today: One Kind Thing
In a world quick to condemn, criticize, and overreact, be quick to be kind. The summer before I started middle school, I gained a lot of weight and developed unsightly stretch marks on my thighs. I was ashamed. While my parents worked during the day, my older sister took me to the neighborhood pool. I…
Daily Doses of God’s Grace: Take the Pressure Off So Others May Too
I wasn’t sure how Natalie would react to hearing me admit my most painful truths in a bookstore filled with friends, colleagues, neighbors, and complete strangers. Although Natalie had heard snippets of my past mistakes and the lessons I’d learned from them, this particular book-signing talk contained a steady stream of the most difficult admissions…
Creating a Sun Delay
Creating a Sun Delay I remember the first time I started collecting hellos. Instead of staring at the screen of my phone or reviewing my to-do list that day, I simply watched for my child to exit the school doors. When she did, I had to fight back the tears. I never knew that the…
10 Books Moms Will Love
Mother’s Day is less than a month away. Now is the time to pick out some great new books for Mom that will be sure to invigorate her heart and soul! Here are some of our favorites – perfect as gifts for the mothers in your life (and you’ll love them, too!). Save up to 60%…
Hope In Light of the Unexpected
Editor’s Note: Welcome to Sit & Listen Saturday featuring Devotionals Daily on Alexa. Enjoy reading as well as listening to your devotional today from Only Love Today by Rachel Macy Stafford. This life you didn’t necessarily plan for is becoming quite beautiful on you. In the Light of the Unexpected It might be that day…
Only Love Today: My Vow to Soften
By being softer you can hear more, learn more, feel more, and love more. I’ve had enough of my hard edges. I’m tired of straining my voice. I’d like to loosen up and laugh a little more, be positive rather than negative. I’d like to feel the upward curve of my lips. I’d like to…