& seeking to walk in His ways ~ Joshua 22:5
This morning I sent a text message to my daughters and husband as I frequently do. Each and every time I enter their names I feel the sting of leaving Sarah's off. Today as I felt it, I refused to leave her off. I entered her name and began reading our previous messages. Normally I … Continue reading Comforted and Comforting
Christmas Eve we attended our church's Christmas Eve worship service. We arrived early and had a bird's eye view to the entire evening as we sat perched on the back row of the risers. We watched as family after family filed in together, complete families delightfully celebrating their time together. Those we spoke to greeted … Continue reading Fleeing for Refuge
This morning I feel the full weight of sorrow. Through the still of the night last night I tearfully sat awake in our living room gazing at six carefully hung stockings gently illuminated by the light of the Christmas tree. I was awake remembering December 20th, 1999, all the December 20ths since, and a myriad … Continue reading Not a Happy Birthday
"And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed-- and a sword will pierce even your own soul-- to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed." Luke 2:34-35 [NASB] Reading through … Continue reading A Sword Pierced Soul
Facebook memories brought up the above two quotes from Sarah this week. Both are funny but also reflective of her tender heart for the Lord and His truths, even from a very young age. Shortly after I saw the memory for today, the song "A Mother's Prayer" by Krystin Getty played and the Lord flooded my … Continue reading A Mother’s Prayer
"Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul." Psalm 66:16 [NASB] I've not written much lately for a variety of reasons, but one of the primary reasons has been a fear of becoming a clanging cymbal, repeatedly saying the same thing over and over. The … Continue reading Keep Crying Out and Testifying
There's a Ralph Waldo Emerson quote that circulates periodically, "Sorrow looks back. Worry looks around. Faith looks up." Surprisingly this quote was recently featured on a church sign, a picture of which was widely circulated on social media. I say surprisingly partially because of the quote itself, and partially because of Emerson's denial of the … Continue reading “Sorrow looks back…”
If you have been deeply hurt within your local church while walking through suffering and brokenness, I am vulnerably sharing this testimony for you. My prayer is that as you read how God has met, sustained, and comforted us in our hurt you will be comforted with the comfort He has given, and encouraged to … Continue reading When Church Hurts
The music of Andrew Peterson has powerfully ministered to me over the past two years. His lyrics deeply resonate within me while continually challenging me to Hope in Christ and cling to the truths of scripture. One lyric that has been in the forefront of my mind this week is found in the second stanza … Continue reading A Stranger With a Friend’s Face
"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a [hope] both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil" Hebrews 6:19 [NASB] I awoke early this morning with a heavy heart for some dear fellow sojourners on this painful path of child loss. While weeping and interceding for them I was … Continue reading Hold On, Dear Weary One.
