It’s always risky to share a hotel room with a stranger. Some would call it crazy. But I did it anyway. Lest you think I’m completely out of my mind, the risk was mitigated by the fact that my roommate and I were both women attending a Christian Writers conference in Estes Park, Colorado. By the time we met on that May evening in 2014, I was exhausted. I had driven eight hours, located registration, lodging, dining and classrooms, and attended a pre-conference session. When the first key-note … [Read more...]
The Remedy for Disappointment
It wasn’t the worst place for a baby to sleep, but I didn’t like the thought of putting a baby in a laundry basket. For a newborn it would be safe and portable, but I felt ashamed. Our second son was born ten weeks premature. A job change, a move, and his premature birth had drained our bank account. Our first son, just 14 months old at the time, was still in the crib and a new bed for him was not in the budget. We’d been financially responsible, made the wisest decisions we could, but … [Read more...]
Cluttered Faith
I turned the doorknob with the precision of a safe cracker and closed their bedroom door. There couldn’t be so much as a click-clack to wake any of my five napping kiddos. I was too tired. Tired of meeting needs and feeling needy. Tired of being a grump and dealing with grumpy kids. Tired of trying so hard to be a faithful example and failing so often. Tired of praying for things to get better while circumstances remained unchanged. I tiptoed over squeaky floorboards toward my living room and … [Read more...]
Where is the Bright, New Day?
If your personal suffering has you straining into the distance aching for a shred of hope, or if national conflicts have you wishing for a better country, read on. I've invited my friend Glenna to be our guest this month. She's a singer, speaker, adoptive mom, and a survivor of several long-term trials. She knows a little something about finding hope, and like an experienced guide, she leads us to the certain hope of our bright new day. Every Sunday night we have movie and charcuterie … [Read more...]
Unlikely Reasons for Gratitude: Change
In 1987 on their debut album, the group Exposé had a song called "Seasons Change." It was a pop culture lament over lost love and time. Thirty years later that song still occasionally gets stuck in my head. "Change" gets a bad rap, especially in the song. But recently I've been really thankful for change. For instance, we’re done with elementary school. We have three--almost 4--drivers in the family. Everyone sleeps. It’s a world away from where I was 12 years ago. In the fall of 2005 I … [Read more...]
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