A few years ago, when my kids and I were out driving and had time in the car, I decided it would be good to review some safety rules with them.
It had been a while since I’d done this and I wanted to talk to them about what to do in different situations.
When I’d done this before, I’d usually ask them a question like, “What would you do if a stranger asked you to go with him or her?” and after they’d answer, we’d talk about it.
This time, as I began talking to them about the importance of sticking together in crowded places like the movie theater or the mall, my daughter chimed in from the back seat…
“Yeah, because if we are just one, we can really break, but if we’re together, it’s not so easy.”
Continue Reading »
I opened Roy Lessin’s book Today is Your Best Day the other morning and these words jumped out at me:
Today is your best day because you can grow a little more in your faith, a little more in your maturity, and a little more in your intimacy with Jesus.
Hmm. A little more. Reading that reminded me how often I want more from myself when it comes to my faith and maturity: more wisdom, more discipline, more knowledge, more belief, more patience… I could go on and on. I tend to expect a lot from myself and sometimes I get caught in the lie that God looks for perfection.
Continue Reading »
The other day, I was looking through some magazine articles I’d written and I came across one of my poems that was published in a teen magazine years ago. It was written as a prayer and it went like this…
Not Perfect
Lord, help me know
that I’m your design,
unique, of your hands,
of your heart
and your mind.
It’s easy to look in the mirror and see
that I am not perfect…
but I am me.
Sometimes I think I’m too short or too tall.
My feet are too big.
My chest is too small.
My skin is a mess.
Continue Reading »
I grab my purse off the counter and hurry toward the door.
“Wait,” my ten-year-old says, coming down the stairs, a flashlight in his hands. I’ve gotta show you something.”
His eyes are bright and he’s smiling.
We’re running late for church, but he’s barefoot and his hair isn’t brushed yet.
“I’ll meet you guys in the car,” my daughter calls from the other side of the house, the garage door slamming behind her.
“Look, Mom.” He holds the flashlight up to my face. See the light bulb in there?” He pushes it closer.
I nod.
“Did you know that regular light bulbs lose about 90% of their light in that little wire they’re made with?”
Continue Reading »
“Be joyful always.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
It was early in the morning, right after I woke up, and I heard my kids laughing down the hall.
I tip-toed toward their rooms, wondering what was so funny.
Halfway there, I stopped.
(I didn’t want to interrupt because I didn’t want their laughter to end.)
A smile spread across my face as I stood there, hiding, listening. I lingered, soaking in the moment.
Hearing my kids laugh made me laugh.
I was filled with joy at their joy.
(I found out later they were laughing at their pet fish.)
But I’m the first to admit, my attitude isn’t always like that… filled with joy from being a mom.
Continue Reading »
A baby bird wobbles across the grass in our backyard.
It has fallen out of its nest under the eaves of our roof.
The bird flaps its tiny wings, trying to fly, but it doesn’t get more than a foot off the ground.
I look out the window, watching, worried… wondering how it will survive.
I get a piece of bread, break it into crumbs and tiptoe out into the backyard. Slowly, quietly, I sneak up behind the bird and drop some crumbs on the ground hoping it will eat. But it runs away, scared.
Then the most amazing thing happens.
Continue Reading »
I was at the grocery store the other day standing in line when I happened to see a young mom by the lottery ticket machine. She was small with wispy blond hair and she looked about eight months pregnant. She was darling.
One hand rested on her belly as the other hand pushed the buttons on the machine.
As I finished in line and passed her on my way out, I was struck by the hope I saw in her eyes as she bought those tickets. And I could just picture what she was thinking…
I hope I win… It would mean better times for me and my baby.
Continue Reading »
“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT
As someone who likes to see things get done quickly, I’m not always the most patient person. And I have to admit; I don’t always appreciate the start of something, no matter how great it turns out in the end. Sometimes, when I set out to reach a goal, I forget that the journey and the steps it takes to get there are just as important, and that beginnings truly are worth celebrating. Like watching my kids reach milestones as they’ve gotten older…
When my son and daughter started walking, I didn’t wait until they could make it from one end of the room to the other to get excited.
Continue Reading »
