As a child, I loved to run my fingers along the stitching of my grandmother’s quilts. They were a labor of love for her. Each time my mother reported an impending visit from the stork, my grandmother would smile and say, “I’ll get started on the quilt.” She’d stitch and pray, petitioning heaven with her…
As a twenty-two-year-old fresh out of college, I remember sitting through a job interview, nervous about what questions I’d be asked. First came the general experience and get-to-know-you questions. Then came the one I had heard before, the one we all dread. “Name one of your strengths and one of your weaknesses.” The strengths part…
My mom would tell you that me growing up unscathed by dysfunction and trauma is a complete miracle. My mom is a chain breaker. She worked hard to avoid passing on the unhealthy patterns of family life in which she was raised. Instead, she set me on solid ground with a strong dose of healthy…
My husband walked into our bedroom to find me sobbing. When he asked me what had happened, I couldn’t manage to get out more than a few disjointed words. So I just handed him my laptop and said, “Watch. Listen.” He pressed play and watched Kelly Clarkson courageously stand before millions of eyes and share…
Once upon a time, I was an adventurer. I was fearless. I lived each day to the fullest. Carpe diem and all that. I climbed mountains and flew across oceans. My passion to share Jesus was a fire burning, and I wanted to spread it across the world. I prayed aloud all the time, whether in…
“You must learn to hold everything loosely…everything. Even your dear family. Why? Because the Father may wish to take one of them back to himself, and when he does, it will hurt you if he must pry your fingers loose.” ~Corrie ten Boom I used to hold on to things long after I needed to…