Being a parent is hard. Being a single parent is extremely hard. Single Mom or single Dad. Never married. Divorced. Widowed. One child. Two children. Eight children. No matter the reason you are a single parent, the struggles are real. The struggles are often overwhelming. The struggles are often similar. When you are divorced and…
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…
I like to listen to sermons. When I drive. When I run. When I get ready for work. I often have a podcast playing, just to keep my mind focused. I have several favorites on my playlist. I regularly listen to Mark Batterson at National Community Church, Andy Stanley at North Point Community Church, Craig…
I opened my computer with plans to write a blog about our thoughts. But before I could even start, my thoughts captured me and took me in a completely different direction. As soon as my computer booted up, the screen hit me like a punch in the stomach, temporarily knocking the breath out of me….
“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…
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” Ephesians…
There we were, gathered around the table. Jesus, the twelve disciples, and myself. I watched Jesus closely, mesmerized by His every move, His every word. And that’s when He stood, grabbed a towel and a basin. One by one He knelt at our feet, taking the form of a servant. Peter. James. John. Love emanating…
“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…
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…