I struggle with lots of things in my life; my weight, certain family relationships, feeling like I’m keeping up with everything that needs to be done, but there are some days these things are OK. I am at peace with them, and it doesn’t feel like a constant battle. However, the one thing I am always fighting against is the sense of helplessness and loss of control over my son’s seizures. It’s always nagging at the back of my mind. I’m always questioning, will he have a seizure today? If so, will we go to the hospital? Should we change his meds?
Category Archives: Blog
Wilting in the shade
We just returned to “Sunny California” from a trip to the Northwest. Typically known for wealth of drizzly weather, our visit was anything but. We actually had the dubious honor of visiting during a week where records were smashed all over the place. No, not the obscene, vinyl, music-laden discs of my youth, but the kinds of records that can make a meteorologists’ year. I don’t think there was any record relating to high heat that wasn’t broken.
We conducted many of our activities in the shade to escape the direct frying that was taking place, but I learned that yes, you actually can get sunburned even in the shade.
Back to School
God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Job 36:22 NIV
Whirrr went the electric pencil sharpener as I sharpened forty-eight new pencils to dance across pages of white. Each child sat before me with book bags in hand as I called off the items for them to place inside. Book bags packed, new clothes lying out, and lunchboxes waiting to be filled I sent my soon-to-be third grader and Kindergartener upstairs for baths.
As I brushed hair and teeth, I thought it a great time to go over some rules to follow for having a great year.
Understanding His Voice
As I walked with my son and our service dog through the airport, a little boy about three years old came over to pet our dog. He was chattering away trying to carry on a conversation the entire time he patted her head. I’m not sure if he was speaking to me or the dog; but either way, I didn’t understand a word he said.
His mom finally came to my rescue and began to interpret. The little boy wasn’t speaking a foreign language; I just couldn’t understand him. But his mother understood everything he was saying perfectly. She had spent enough time with him to be able to decipher his toddler language.
Fly Like An Eagle
“You are so strong.” It’s a comment I get quite often when my son ends up in the hospital with health challenges as a result of his epilepsy as he did once again this past week. Friends will say they don’t know how I do it. I often will respond by letting people know I absolutely couldn’t do it if it weren’t for the great God I serve. He is where my strength comes from. He is the one who lifts me up when I feel like I’m falling. Becoming strong in Him however, is sometimes not a fun process. It’s sort of like a baby eagle learning to fly.
Want to Write for 5 Minutes for Faith?
Life is constantly changing and because all our contributors are moms, we go through changes as well. One thing that many of our readers are not aware of is the fact that we often have several different types of openings for those who are interested in contributing to 5 Minutes for Faith!
We have regularly scheduled contributors who post devotionals on set dates, but we also have floating contributors who submit one or two devotions per month and guest contributors who just want to write for us one time. We do not always have openings for regular or floating positions, but we love to hear from those who are interested anytime!
Control Freak!
“Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” 1Peter 5:7
I’ve had this condition most of my life. A condition that I am learning to live with. I desire to control things. Lots of things. Not just big things, but little things, important things, and not so important things. I try and give God a hand, all the time.
Hello. My name is Joanne and I’m a control freak.
From what my children wear, to who they will hang out with – where they will go to college, what they will eat, to what political party they will subscribe to.
Your Loved Ones Don’t Miss You
Do you have loved ones in Heaven? If you do, I’m here to tell you that they don’t miss you.
They really don’t.
Anyone close to me knows that my husband and my children are my life. I love them to pieces. BUT, when I was at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference last week, in the midst of other believers- worshipping God together through His Word, through song, and through our gifts of writing, I was home.
By day three, when I should have been aching to be with the ones I love, I spoke with my husband Paul. “I love you sweetheart, but I don’t miss you.”