A few years ago, I was driving around town doing the after-school shuffle. I dropped off my youngest at swim team and rushed to the middle school to pick up my middle son. One of his friends needed a ride, so I gladly ran him home. I planned to return library books and pick up a prescription before heading home for supper. I was zipping around town, feeling super productive and on top of my taxi-mom game. So, I was slightly annoyed when the large red pickup in front of me slowed to a … [Read more...]
The House a Dumpster Built & The Surprises Inside
Even in the daylight, it looked like a scary movie set. We stared through our minivan windows, waiting for Oliver to emerge from the scene. I double-checked the house number Oliver's mom had given me. My six-year-old son had invited two school friends to Wednesday night church. It felt like a throwback to the days of Sunday School busses. Since my grandpa had a CDL and the disposition of Andy Griffith, he was the driver. Since I was the oldest grandchild, I got to ride along. I remember … [Read more...]
The Gospel According to… Halloween?
What if the gospel is more like Halloween than Christmas? If you grew up hearing that Halloween was the celebration of evil, you might feel as shocked as I did when the question was posed to me. When I considered how the two holidays might relate to the gospel, the thought of Halloween being a superior picture seemed downright heretical. Until I took my youngest son trick-or-treating. Costume design is not my forte, so my son dressed in his baseball pants, his team t-shirt, … [Read more...]
God, what are you waiting for?
A dear friend of mine is about to plunge herself into a spiritual challenge of heroic proportions. The problem is, she doesn't realize it. Right now, she's just doing what's in front of her and planning her next step of obedience. When I visited with her about increased responsibility, exponential stress, and a zillion "what ifs," I found myself wishing she had someone to help her. For various reasons, the kind of help I can offer her is limited. She needs more, and I cannot provide … [Read more...]
Why this trial?
It’s often said, “You’ve either been through a trial, are going through a trial, or are headed for a trial.” I’m not sure who first said it, but life sure has a way of validating the statement, doesn’t it? Pandemic, anyone? Add to that a thousand physical, emotional, and spiritual battles along the way, and we realize that to live is to face trials. Pandemic or not. Doesn't it make you long for a time when you can retire on a beach and cast your trials into the ocean? But by that … [Read more...]
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