Bright sunlight filtering through the bedroom drapes was the first thing I noticed as I awoke from a restful night’s sleep. Rolling over and climbing out of bed, I made my way to the kitchen for a glass of water and a quick glance at the clock. 8:56 a.m. Today was my own since my children were spending the day with their grandparents. The thought of my cozy bed quickly lulled me back to the bedroom; however, before I had a chance to climb back between the sheets, I had a curious thought: “Today is the…

You long to fly away from this dark, broken, cruel world because…   you can’t breathe, nor do you want to, everything is bleak, you welcome the night.   Hope is gone, not even a flicker, the light you sought, forever gone.   All is lost, there is no use in trying, the endless tears, they fall in vain.   This numb existence suits you well, curled tight in a corner you hide, the pain turning you to stone, betrayed, abandoned, left alone.   Blinding sorrow, deep raw pain, the…

Fall is, by far, my favorite time of year. However, fall is also my nemesis, for it is usually during this time of year that I fall prey to the temptation to do all things creative. For instance, one fall season, this is what was simultaneously taking place at our house: Holiday Craft Boutique preparations Reading Fair preparations Geography Fair preparations Allow me to paint a visual for you, lest you think these preparations just magically occurred in the peace and serenity of our immaculately clean home. Picture in your mind,…

Relationships matter to God. Our relationship with Him, as well as our relationship with others, truly matter to Him. With His help, we can nurture relationships with the richest of feelings. When was the last time you experienced the hand of God in the mist of your relationships with family, friends, or strangers? For me, it was a Wednesday evening in the middle of the dinner rush, and I couldn’t have been more grateful. To read more about how God blessed my life that evening in the most unexpected way,…

A few nights ago, my neighbor, who attends a different church, is nearly 80-years-old and almost blind, made her way across the street after dark with oxygen in hand to knock on my door and ask me how I was doing. We sat in my living room for an hour sharing with each other our trust in the Lord and how He has carried us through our most recent trials. We read scripture, swapped recipes, and encouraged one another. I walked her across the street when we were done visiting,…

“Mom, why are all the flags around town at half staff today?” my daughter asked, gazing out the car window. It’s a question I hear on a regular basis these days and, quite honesty, I’m tired of hearing it. I’ve grown weary of sharing with my children all the negativity that is taking place in our country–mass shootings, violence, death. Instead, I’ve decided to focus on the positive, the possibilities, the things that can fill us with strength, hope, and peace. I’ve chosen to tell my children that whenever they…