Nearly twenty years ago, my husband, Russ, officiated his first wedding. Somewhere in the planning process I was asked to help coordinate the festivities, but I forgot to mention one thing about the end of the ceremony. It’s customary for the guests to remain seated as the entire wedding party makes its way out of…
In the summer of 1998, my husband and I were newly married, and in our carefree, exciting new love, we were feeling rather invincible. Maybe that’s why we were out farther in the ocean than usual for an evening swim during our trip to Myrtle Beach. Around dusk, we suddenly found ourselves in the middle…
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 used to hold onto everything as tightly as I could–material possessions, places, talents, jobs, relationships. I attempted to maintain control, terrified I might let something slip through the cracks. I strove for perfection and grieved each and every change, failure, and loss as a sign of my own powerlessness. Then, as I became a…
Exodus 2 is a very familiar story to most of us. The origin of Moses; raised by an Egyptian princess with his own mother serving as his wet nurse. Raised in the palace, for want of nothing, never knowing hunger or thirst or hardship. But always knowing that he didn’t belong. It’s a story I…
The problem with crying for days is it tires me out—mind, body, and soul. Coherent thought drains away. Gumption to struggle through is gone. Finding my tears can’t change the outcome is a shock, my mind numb to what’s next. The only reality seems to be the ugly pit of feelings I find myself in,…