I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for Billy Graham. You read that right. I really wouldn’t. Do you ever wonder who it was in your life that was the crux of it all that led to your existence? Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe YOU are the one that will be the prompt to someone else’s opening … Read More
God Really Does Set The Lonely In Families
I know about being lonely. Life’s loneliness can feel so overwhelming, can’t it, my friend? I know what it’s like to be without a dad this side of Heaven. I know what it’s like as a young woman to feel the burden trying to assume the role of the “man of the house” when there was no man left in … Read More
When All You Know Is That Jesus Loves You
Recently, some majorly bad decisions, which did not match up with the apparent character of a person very dear to our family, were revealed. In shocked disbelief, questions poured out. Nothing made sense about any of the information we learned because all things we were hearing were polar-opposite to the person we thought we knew. The more uncovering that happened, … Read More
What Keeps You Up At Night?
What keeps you up at night? No, really. Be honest. What are your deepest thoughts, which your mind churns through while all else is still? Blogs and books are a dime a dozen, these days, aren’t they? Sometimes, it seems like many of these published works are meeting the needs of what is ordinary in order to help people feel … Read More
What Are You Leaving Behind?
I wailed as my mom drove the two of us through the Montreat Gate. “I don’t want to go through that gate without Mimi on the other side!” I moaned between breathless sobs. “I know, baby. I don’t either. But we can do this,” Mama replied. We had joined my uncle and cousin to form a circle of earthly witnesses … Read More
Wonderful Counselor
Do you ever choose a word for your new year? It’s usually a word that summarizes what you hope to be the over all tone of your coming 365 days. My word for 2015 was: Intentional. One thing I chose to be intentional about for these past twelve months was reaping the benefits of counseling. I was in an intense … Read More
What to Do When Even Christmas Offends You
Last Christmas, I was a mess. Four months prior, I lost my first child- a miracle child- to miscarriage. My world stopped spinning for a while and so much offended me. Things that were part of my regular rhythms weren’t cutting it for my broken heart. Going to church didn’t feel safe for me, but I went anyway. I was surrounded by … Read More
More Than Stumps
I was burning hot mad. Someone had invaded my territory off my watch and massacred my yard along with the symbols of Spring’s hope that my fragile soul was clinging to. And the invasion came within inches of my child’s grave. The day before was supposed to be our due date. My husband and I had withdrawn to a quiet … Read More
What A Mother With Empty Arms Can Do
This coming Sunday will be a year since I labored to deliver the remains of my only child’s body. It was too soon for a delivery like that to bring breaths into this world. Before he could breathe in the polluted oxygen of earth, he took his first breath in the pristine air of Heaven. I knew about him for … Read More
The Divine Hand that Wounds Also Heals
It’s no secret that when Royal Consort Prince Albert died at the age of 42, his wife, Queen Victoria entered into deep mourning for the rest of her life. She wore black every single day until she died because she missed her beloved Albert so very much. Soon after he died, people of course extended their offerings of care and … Read More