As I sat through the funeral service, I couldn’t concentrate on the words being spoken. I kept hearing a still, small voice in my head. “Extend forgiveness,” the voice urged. It was my first time back in this church building since my husband had resigned his position as pastor of the congregation nearly five months…
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Psalm 37:4 “God,” I cried out as the tears streamed down my face and my feet pounded the pavement, “I want to desire you. I want to delight in you. But, honestly, I really just want a husband.” I had escaped the…
Years ago as a newlywed couple, we lived in a large apartment complex in San Antonio, Texas. One night, in the early morning hours, we were awakened by a loud banging on our door. The repeated thuds reverberated through our small apartment, jolting us awake. It sounded as if someone was trying to break the…
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he…
“We have heard that you had multiple affairs and destroyed multiple families,” the email from my employer read. Stunned. Shocked. Mortified. Hurt. Angry. The emotions rocked me to my very core. My hands shook as I attempted to respond. Where could such a venomous attack come from? Hadn’t I suffered enough already? Yes, in the…
About two years ago, my kids and I were facing a very difficult situation…one over which we had absolutely no control. I worried and fretted. I begged and pleaded. But most importantly, I prayed. I had spent the spring reading The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson. I was so convicted about the importance of prayer…
“I just can’t believe that someone like her would be interested in someone like me,” said my then husband as he talked about his mistress. As the words came out of his mouth, I remember thinking—maybe saying—“What am I? Chopped liver?” Yes, his girlfriend had been a cheerleader in high school. She had a college…
Do you like roller coasters? My kids LOVE roller coasters! Three years ago when my daughter was only six, we went to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO. We stood in line waiting for the Powder Keg. As we got closer, my daughter decided she didn’t want to ride. I coaxed her onto the ride,…
These last few weeks have been tumultuous. I’ve found myself on a roller coaster of emotions as circumstances have left me reeling. I’ve sought legal counsel to figure out how to proceed. I’ve been on my knees in prayer. I’ve turned to friends who know my situation well and are always there to offer wise,…
Do you remember the story of Joseph? Joseph was a dreamer. Joseph was favored by his father. Joseph was attacked by his brothers and sold into Egyptian slavery. But, God looked down on Joseph and blessed him. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian…
There are two sides to every story… It’s true. Any time there is more than one person involved, you will have at least two versions of what happened, two views of the same experience. It’s no different with my marriage and divorce. Recently, I was confronted with a situation that brought me face-to-face with “the…
Have you ever been mad at God? Before you give a self-righteous answer, let’s be really honest. Has God ever disappointed you? I’ve been mad. God disappointed me. I decided following God was a waste of time and energy. I decided that I could be a part-time follower of Christ like a large part of…