On a cool fall afternoon at the end of a long week of work, I stumbled upon a story from a popular online Christian magazine that reminded me of trouble from my ancient past: recovery from depression as a pastor’s wife. As I read, unease grew in my belly. Twenty years ago, as a new…
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! (Psalm 46:10 ESV) Sometimes I wish I could turn my brain off. I spend a lot of time worrying about everything, both real and imagined scenarios. My mind feels like it is constantly…
In 2015, with no say in the matter, I left the battleground of my husband’s terminal illness and entered the wilderness of widowhood. After thirty years as a wife, this new country felt disorienting and dangerous in nearly every way. My instinct was to hide. Stay safe. Take no chances. The problem with that plan?…
I wake early again and toss and turn in my bed for a while. I can tell it’s early morning because no sunlight is streaming in through our bedroom windows—and I am groggy. I try to fall back asleep, staying still in my warm bed with my husband lying quietly next to me, but it’s…
This Christmas season has been different from every other. Every previous December, I have focused largely on the hope that comes with the birth of Christ. I get excited that the Savior is here and we are headed on an incredible journey toward Easter, when we get to celebrate a victory chant because of the…
Some days I just want to get away all by myself. My fantasy getaway is either a cute cabin with a scenic view of beautiful trees and a lake, or a simple cottage on a beach where I can watch crashing waves and stunning sunsets. Although it’s nice to dream, these scenarios are unlikely to…