I am a people pleaser. It pains me to say this, but it’s the truth. I love to be a hostess. I plan birthday celebrations for my children on my day off. I commit to welcoming family and friends in our home for Easter—fifty or more people. I accommodate others around my work schedule, especially…
My daughter sits across from me, working a new crochet hook and giant, fluffy aqua yarn into what she hopes will be a blanket. She has just learned this art, and she knows only a trio of stitches. Nevertheless she experiments, creating new stitches and figuring out different ways to get that yarn across the…
Many years ago, I was speaking on stage at a large leadership meeting for a few thousand people. Afterward, the host of the meeting asked if a few of the other speakers and I could serve as an expert panel and answer questions from the audience. About halfway through, a woman from the audience stood…
5:45 a.m. The alarm hasn’t even gone off, but I hear them fighting. Sigh. One peek in the mirror, and I know it’s going to be a hopeless hair day. Ugh. “Mom! Where are my clean clothes?” I haven’t even had coffee yet or rubbed the sleep from my eyes. “Babe, did you remember that…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-29 NIV) When we think about the busiest times of the year, we tend…
Stop the ride, I’m ready to get off. I once took a ride on a malfunctioning roller coaster. If you’ve ever been to Walt Disney World, you’re no doubt familiar with Space Mountain. Lots of twists, turns, and dips—all in the dark, so you can’t brace yourself for what’s coming. I’m not a fan of…