“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 »
When Dean and I were dating and first married, our holidays were spent putting hundreds of miles on our cars as we drove to where his family lived for a couple days, journeyed an hour and a half to my family’s Christmas Eve gathering and back, and then spent time with some of his family before making the trek back home.
After we moved to the Northwest for seminary, we added plane travel to the itinerary, often driving an additional five hundred miles or more to make sure we got to visit as many people as we could. There was a lot of hurrying and scurrying, and not much in the way of peace or rest.
Continue Reading »
You’re praying that this year will be different. You are anxious to see most of your family, but there is always that one person who gets under your skin and deprives you each and every year of the Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving that you can only dream about.
It’s true in every family.
The sister who always seems to be critical and competing.
The aunt married to your mother’s brother who continually tells you how to raise your children.
The grandparent who insists on telling the same unpleasant story every holiday.
The child who complains and won’t eat anything on the table.
Continue Reading »
Though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:24 NIV
“Spencer! Spencer!” Amy called around the house looking for her son. Hearing stumbling from above, she walked to the stairs. On the top stair was Spencer – seizing. In distress, he had been searching for his mother. He knew she would help him through this storm. Like a dance they rehearsed, each knew their parts – neither chose them. His head drawn, voice gone, and arm jerking; he tried to take a step.
And fell – into the arms of his mother.
Continue Reading »
I’ve been exhausted lately as I’ve been pulled in so many different directions. Working full time, staying up late, getting up early, helping with homework, shopping, menu planning, house cleaning (well not really, I’m too tired), juggling finances, ministry and relationships. There just never seems to be enough time in my day to do it all. I find myself getting further and further behind and it appears that I will never catch up. Not to mention I’ve had a headache for three days. My kids need my attention, but I can barely move. My house needs my attention, but I have no motivation.
Continue Reading »
Are you a Godly friend? What are Godly friendships?
I grew up having many “friends”, but I’ve grown to realize that they are not necessarily GODLY friends. There are 3 people that I call my “best friends”, and even though they aren’t all Christians, I can say that they are my truest friends. We’ve been friends since we were in junior high and still talk to this very day. Gradually, as I went to university and started working, I became shy and it was hard to make new friends. I didn’t have people around me that I could call upon for help.
Continue Reading »
I can see him. Sleeping in bed. His little body curled up and his hands tucked close to his face. There’s the sweet sound of breathing — in and out — as his body rests.
I want to pick him up. Hold him.
Yet, I know, that will wake him up. So I stand there watching him, marveling at the beauty that can be found in a toddler fast asleep. I stand there, in the room, the room still littered with little toys around and books crooked on the shelf, and I bask in the moment.
I really don’t see those toys.
Continue Reading »
Rev and I celebrated birthdays last week. We’ve reached the point in life where we are thankful for another year, but cringe just a little at adding one more number to the total. Whew!
We were born just four days apart and baptized on the same day. Since the day we met he’s been my best friend. He makes me laugh more than anyone else I know, and his love for the Lord and our family is evident in every decision he makes.
Which is why there was another date on the calendar last week that was even more precious than our birthdays.
Continue Reading »
