I didn’t realize life would get this busy so quickly. The move up to seventh grade for our oldest son filled our calendar full of new activities and opportunities, from jazz band and show choir to cross country and research projects. These are all wonderful things and we love seeing his God-given talents shine,…
The Truth About Fear
Picture this: you are in your house alone watching television and you hear the front door open and bang against the wall. You jump off the couch. Your heart is racing and you stand frozen for a moment. Then you start to run but you don’t know which way to run or why you are…
How to Silence the Negative Voices In Our Daughters’ Heads
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…
How to Help Your Child Engage with the Bible
My kids had Bibles — real, unillustrated ones with lots of small words on lots of thin pages — long before they learned to read. They were always the ICB translation, my favorite for young children, and they were pretty with sequins or glitter on the covers. We would sit down together in the…
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…
Do You Need a Hug Today? Why We Should Share Hugs Year Round
December is one of my favorite months of the year. That’s because I see my friends and family in December more than any other time of year. In addition to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we meet up at school concerts, class parties, church, cookie swaps, and gift exchange luncheons. We may shop together, cook…