“When you’ve been living in a space for a while, it can be hard to see the possibilities” (Myquillyn Smith, Cozy Minimalist Home). I am currently under the tutelage of decorating guru, The Nester (aka Myquillyn Smith). My family moved into a new home last year. I lack the artistry and confidence to take steps…
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NIV) One thing I enjoy about studying the Bible is when new things pop out at me. Recently, I have been amazed at the number of times I…
There’s a small cardboard box nestled in one of my dresser drawers because I couldn’t stand to throw it away. Written on the box in blue crayon are the words, “Old Self Art.” Last June, my daughter, Grayson, gathered up a few of her favorite pieces and put them into the box to remember who…
I’m a teacher at heart, but I didn’t stand in front of a classroom until I was forty-five years old. I’m also a confirmed introvert whose lifelong policy has been to keep quiet, shrink into the background, and observe but not be observed. This is why I so vividly remember the day—the moment—I stood in…
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NIV) I recently read a parenting book by Ted Tripp which posed the question,if someone was to record how you talked to your children, what would be recorded? What would you be caught saying on tape? How would your…
We live in a noisy world. Traffic. Restaurants. Workplaces. Schools. Churches. Shopping malls. Playgrounds. All can be filled with noise. Even our own homes are rarely quiet places. Noise isn’t necessarily bad. It means others are around to offer companionship or, at least, the sense that we are not alone. Our enemy wants us to…