October used to be one of my favorite months of the year. Crisp, fall air pushing away the heat of summer. Chrysanthemums. Pumpkin and apple pies steaming from their flaky crusts, smelling of cinnamon and spice. Fall décor. Will and my wedding anniversary. Leaves falling into crackling piles, and children romping through them, rosy-cheeked. But …
Category: Inner Life
Two Verses for Weary Parents
Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I sank into my rocking chair and pulled a blanket around me while my three extra children settled onto the couches. After a smidgeon of rustling and wiggling and whispering, the kids were asleep for another hour before they needed to get up for their ride to school. In …
Book Reviews, Second Blog Birthday, and Giveaway
This summer, due to mental and emotional weariness, I didn't read my normal volume of books. But among the ones I read were some excellent books that I would like to recommend to you. The first two on my list were part of my current journey of trying to understand racial issues better, trying to …
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When Parents are Failing
What do you do when you think your friends are failing at parenting? Of course, it's easy to have all the answers about parenting before you've tried it out yourself. But suppose you have parented several children already, and what you see in other people makes you shake your head in despair? Let me tell …
The Woman at the Beach
“We are done with people for the week!” I grinned at Will as our family drove out our lane, pulling a rented camper behind for five days of rest and family fun. Our goal was to see the total eclipse in Nebraska, with the side-benefit of a much-needed vacation. The last few months had been …
Ten Simple Ways Your Church Can Serve Foster Families (by Jason Johnson)
Foster care is a Church problem, not a state child welfare problem. It is a Gospel issue first, not a government issue. The Church has both the duty and privilege to speak on behalf of and stand for the sake of those who cannot speak and stand for themselves because that is exactly what God …
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Little girl
Little girl, I'll never forget the first morning you stepped inside my front door. I noticed your hesitation, and I didn't blame you, for you had been in too many homes to count. You later told me that you didn't like any of them except for one. How could you know if I would be …
Is Christ divided?
One Sunday morning some years ago, I leaned against the back of a church pew, and with tears in my eyes confided to a friend. This woman is a sincere Christian, even though she's not a member of our congregation. She tries to dress like us, and faithfully comes to church. Yet she's not allowed …
The Lord is my Shade
I don't especially enjoy Kansas summers, when the temperature refuses to drop below 100 degrees and the land shrivels before my eyes. The hope of spring--vegetable plants birthing in moist earth, flowers growing dreamily along the sidewalk, trees pushing out their delicate green--is ruthlessly burned on the ash-heap of summer. Every year I feel the …
For Women Who Sacrifice For Their Husband’s Calling
For as long as I can remember, my dad has flown all over the nation with a very full teaching schedule. He loves public speaking, and thrives on the personal interactions along the way. Nothing makes him as expansive and happy as giving a well-done lecture, and meeting lots of people in the process. Mom, …
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arabah rejoice 