& seeking to walk in His ways ~ Joshua 22:5
"Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda." Proverbs 25:20 [ESV] Some precious friends who also know the horrific sting of child loss were recently sent a post on social media outlining how they must choose joy and not … Continue reading Why I Won’t Say “Choose Joy”
"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who … Continue reading Hope Fixed Completely
"I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you." Colossians 4:18 [ESV] The clear focus and mission of our Botswana trip, and the confidence that we were in the center of God's will in being there was refreshing to my soul. Coming home where the specifics of … Continue reading Remember My Chains
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to [His] purpose." Romans 8:28 [NASB] My finite mind is incapable of conceiving how our infinite God is capable of working the truth of Romans 8:28 out in the lives of … Continue reading Botswana: A Family Calling
"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" Psalm 119:28 [ESV] As I was meditating on part of Psalm 119 recently, verse 28 (above) resonated deeply within my heart. We have no way of knowing with certainty the specific source of the Psalmist's sorrow in this text. Though some speculate about … Continue reading Soul Melting Sorrow
Not many weeks after Sarah's death, another bereaved parent shared that the second year is actually harder than the first. I vividly remember the horror of that statement washing over me in the moments that followed. At that point I was still struggling to sleep more than an hour or two at a time. When … Continue reading The Second Year is Harder?
"Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; Do not be silent at my tears; For I am a stranger with Thee, A sojourner like all my fathers." Psalm 39:12 [NASB] This month has been tremendously painful. Senior Prom, Mother's Day, Graduation festivities, and the constant yet staggering unavoidable awareness that this is … Continue reading “A Stranger With Thee”
It finally happened. An acquaintance made it clear that my time to grieve Sarah's absence must draw to an end, it's time to move on. I had heard horror stories of gut wrenching rebukes received by many veteran bereaved parents who have journeyed this path for years, but thankfully I had been spared from personally … Continue reading I’m supposed to be stoic?
"O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?" 1 Corinthians 15:55 [NASB] Sometimes the scripture passage above is tossed out to grieving families as an exhortation to grieve no more. With a victorious gleam in their eyes some will subtly rebuke in ignorance, “Take hope, rejoice, death has been defeated, it … Continue reading Death’s Sting is Right Here, Right Now
Last week I shared my heart’s anguish in response to God’s silence. I have since realized His silence was actually His answer to some very specific prayers Scott and I had been praying. I was asked in March to speak on May 3rd about “Being Still in The Presence Of God.” After several days in … Continue reading His Silence was His Answer
Listening to Him 