Listening to Him

My second born daughter is in labor with our firstborn grandson, so I am awake in the dark of night with eager expectation of meeting this precious new life. As excited as I am about meeting him, I am reminded there is something I am waiting for with even more eager expectation. "For in hope … Continue reading Eagerly Waiting →

September is Suicide Prevention Month, National Suicide Prevention Week is September 4 – 10, and September 10th is World Suicide Prevention Day. In the midst of all of the talk of prevention I find myself grieving with and for my precious friend with the approaching anniversary of her beloved son's death by suicide on September … Continue reading Suicide Prevention or Awareness? →

I am so very thankful For God's tender mercies to us richly revealed through His Word and compassionately ministered to our souls. What precious knowledge to know He sees and knows our hearts, minds and souls. He intimately knows our sorrows and not one of our tears escapes His notice. God graciously and repeatedly acknowledges … Continue reading He Restores my Soul →

A few weeks ago we visited the Big Island of Hawai'i. As we traveled across the island I was captivated by the sight of plants springing up in the charred fields of lava. How impossible it seemed that beauty and life could spring up in the midst of such utter destruction. Each time I saw … Continue reading 5 Years Without My Child: Beauty for Ashes →

Today, Easter Sunday, I am once again uniquely and acutely aware of death's sting. Today marks my fifth Easter Sunday without my third child, Sarah. It was with both great joy and great sadness that I celebrated the resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ, today. The prominent focus of Easter is the awe inspiring truth … Continue reading Death’s Sting →

This morning I was listening to the final episode of the podcast "The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill." A quote at the end really resonated with me, “The longer that you live with a mask the greater the void grows between the mask and the internal reality of who you are. And that void … Continue reading Her Fifth Birthday →

Last night I was awake through the night deeply burdened and fervently praying for someone journeying though an oppressively dark valley. My heart ached with and for theirs as I cried out for God to be near to them, to lift them from the pit, and to allow them to see and experience His powerfully … Continue reading A New Song →

The phrase "empty-nester" has been used repeatedly in recent days to describe me. Each time I hear it my stomach turns and I feel a twinge of pain in my heart. I have treasured the days of having my children at home. For years I have, in a sense, dreaded their leaving. But, as with … Continue reading Nestless →

Sometimes the darkness of this world blinds me to any beauty that may remain. I feel as though the breath has been sucked from my lungs each time I think about my brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe suffering horrific atrocities, most recently in Afghanistan. My soul groans with longing for Home as … Continue reading Trying to Believe →

The many painful memories of June 8th, 2017, are a daily presence. Among them is a heart-rending image forever etched in my mind of Sarah's sisters shattered and huddled together after their dad told us she was gone. I vividly remember the weight and urgency I felt in that moment to comfort them and assure … Continue reading Grace Upon Grace →