As a starry-eyed newlywed, I envisioned life with little stress, exciting jobs, more than enough money, and easy-to-parent kids. But as the years have accumulated, my reality has felt different. Can you relate? Decisions feel heavy, work is sometimes whatever pays the bills, the bank account can feel stretched too thin, and parenting is just…
There’s no place like home for the holidays, or so the song goes. We envision snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree. Instead, we sometimes get scheduling conflicts and family drama. Going home for the holidays can be complicated when you’re dealing with parents, siblings, in-laws, children, and all sorts of relatives who have…
Everybody has critics. Even critics have critics! You will not be able to get through this life without being noticed by someone who disapproves of you. Initially, their disapproval will sting. But after a while, once God hardens you to life’s difficulties, their criticism will run off you like water off a duck’s back. Critics…
On Monday mornings, before I get dressed for work, you’ll find me wearing a T-shirt that says, “Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Repeat.” The words on my coffee mug express my mood: “I don’t feel very worky today.” (Yes, “worky” is found in several dictionaries, but you can’t use it in Scrabble.) Once I arrive at work,…
And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?” (Ex. 17:7 ESV) When things go wrong, do you find yourself quarreling with God? Have you tested the Lord’s patience by complaining? Let me sheepishly raise my hand…
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations.” (Ps. 90:1 ESV) My husband and I aren’t big celebrators or gift-givers, but on our twenty-fifth anniversary, he made a book for me. It was a countdown of things we had done over the years, from “Twenty-five years of marriage” to “One love of my…