& seeking to walk in His ways ~ Joshua 22:5
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
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus." 1 Thessalonians … Continue reading Hope Grieves
Recently I was awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep, missing Sarah, and thinking about the past forty months. As I was lying there, Matthew 5:4 came to mind and I pondered it at length. Since then it has continued to roll around in my heart and mind. "Blessed are those who … Continue reading Blessed Mourner
Each day as I leave my house this is the view I face at the end of my driveway. Until just recently there was a house directly in front of us blocking our view of the cemetery, but the house has been removed. So now as I leave my home every day I face the … Continue reading Facing Death
"So when it was evening on that day, the first [day] of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, 'Peace [be] with you.'" John 20:19 [NASB] As I was reading through the book of … Continue reading Peace Be With You.
Yesterday Scott and I had the tremendous blessing of witnessing our daughter, Kristen, enter into the covenant of marriage. As I was lying awake this morning thinking about yesterday and all the days preceding it, 1 Peter 1:8 came to mind. "and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do … Continue reading Joy Inexpressible
I realized a few days ago that I was approaching a very difficult Psalm in my quiet time, Psalm 91. June 7th, 2017, the day before Sarah left for her mission trip never to return, I spent a prolonged amount of time meditating on and praying Psalm 91 over her, petitioning God in His faithfulness … Continue reading Three Years Ago Today
"...In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 [NASB] Life can be so very hard in this broken and fallen world. At times it's indescribably hard. No doubt, this is the reason we are repeatedly implored in scripture to endure, to persevere, to be steadfast and unwavering, to … Continue reading Hope Against Hope
Listening to Him 