I was a freshman in college when our dorm mother invited our entire freshman hall to her home for a Christmas party. Twenty nineteen-year-old girls descended on her warmly lit, apple-spice-fragranced home one evening for homemade lasagna. Now, I loved dorm-life—the late nights, the practical jokes, the way there was always someone to talk to—but... Continue Reading →
As followers of Christ, we are in Christ alone, but we are not alone in Christ. God is in the business of building His Church, redeeming His Bride, assembling a Body from every tribe, tongue and nation to stand before His throne united in worship to the Lamb who was slain to take away the... Continue Reading →
When my firstborn was about a year old, trips to the store became challenging. She had always been quite verbal, but she began to take her babbling to new, demanding decibels after half an hour strapped into a shopping cart. Her protests became loud enough that one day, after repeatedly hissing, “Shhh!” I pulled out... Continue Reading →
A friend recently quizzed me about my philosophy on playdates. We were actually in the middle of a playdate, and while I had engaged in numerous playdates over the last five years (I’m figuring at least two a week, every week, for five years . . . we’re talking nearly 500 playdates!!!) I didn’t have... Continue Reading →
I just need a break. Do you ever find yourself muttering this under your breath, or pleading this to your husband, lamenting this to a mom friend or yelling this at your unsuspecting children? I just need a break. Maybe, like me, you find yourself getting creative with this statement. I just need a moment... Continue Reading →
Despite the fact that I have everything I need, too often I find myself sliding down the miry slough of self-pity. What about you? Self-pity comes naturally to us all, but I think it’s a particularly tempting sin for moms of young children, since little ones require so much of us and often keep us... Continue Reading →
We all have one of those people in our lives: the kind the world brands toxic with permission to cut out. Are you picturing someone? The one you need 24 hour advance notice before seeing. In route you psych and pray in turn: I’m not going to lose it. Lord, help me not to lose... Continue Reading →
Do you struggle to be content when you look at photos of your Facebook friends’ home renovations or beach vacations? Or do you fight the desire to show off your own material blessings to impress others? Both? If so, you are in good company. Or maybe not good company, but certainly lots of company. I... Continue Reading →
The Lord is my Shepherd . . . can you finish the line? I bet many of you can finish the whole Psalm. I distinctly remember committing Psalm 23 to memory in kindergarten complete with sing-song intonation and hand motions. My three and four year old have even managed to learn its succinct, themed lines.... Continue Reading →
The season of graduations and weddings is upon us, and that means it’s also a time in which parents are rejoicing in their kids’ achievements and expressing hopes for their futures. Moms and dads boast in their children’s scholarships and acceptance to prestigious universities, take pride in the amazing job offers they have received, and... Continue Reading →
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