As the year draws near its end, many of us are asking ourselves, Did I accomplish my goals this year? Did I do anything different or noteworthy this time around? Or did I just survive another 365 days? We begin each year with visions and intentions. We make resolutions and promises to our New Year…
At the end of summer in 2017, my youngest son, who was five at the time, learned to swim sans his trusty floaty. We had worked all summer at the pool so he could gain confidence in his ability. We started by having him put his head under the water, then progressed to his grabbing…
The pool in our backyard had just been completed, and all my children except one jumped in without a second thought, without fear. But my youngest was four years old, and until now, he hadn’t been around much water. As I helped him put on his bathing suit, I told him how much fun he…
In the span of three weeks this past spring, I laid my head on my pillow in seven different beds. In one week during that time, I woke up on three different continents. This is not uncommon for me. I usually have somewhere to go. Although I dread the packing process with every ounce of…
Sometimes it isn’t who you know, but who you don’t know. Even in October, arid heat gripped Tarragona, Spain, well into the late afternoon. The GPS sent us snaking through back streets into a semi-residential construction zone. With parking on both sides, even our compact car barely squeezed through—until we reached the barricade. It was…
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 ESV) We all love a good police drama. My favorite episodes are when they call in a guy (or woman) to defuse a bomb or talk down a hostage…