Do you ever jump right into trying to achieve a goal you’re excited about, pouring everything you have into it? You’re met with obstacles, yet you continue to persevere. Then someone achieves the same goal before you do. It also looks as though they achieved it with minimal effort. You instantly feel deflated; the excitement…
Writing has been a huge part of my ministry and a tremendous source of joy in my life for many years. With what felt like clear direction from God each step of the way, I published my first book last year and naturally held on to dreams of publishing more. Yet despite all my eager…
“I wish I were already a grown-up,” my ten-year-old daughter said. “Then I could actually be all the things I want to be.” She looked out the window of the car, her blue eyes longing to see every dream come true. A chef, a mother, a teacher, Commander in Chief. Her vision for the future…
Have you ever uttered the words “Worth it!” after completing a challenge? This phrase often follows some physical task, and the accomplishment nearly erases the pain you just endured. A few years ago my husband and I decided to give our children a week of vacation. Because I was a stay-at-home mom, money was tight….
“Could you spare some change?” I often hear this request from the residents of a nursing home where I serve. This usually occurs when I walk by the vending machine near my therapy gym. The residents roll up in their wheelchairs and ask for a dollar or seventy-five cents—enough for a sweet bun or a…
I approached Thanksgiving two years ago feeling less than thankful. With a body dematerializing before everyone’s eyes for reasons no one could diagnose, I entered the season sick, exhausted, and scared. I could barely get up most days, and when I did, it seemed everyone was posting their “What I’m thankful for” on Facebook. It…