Recently my husband and his coworkers have been discussing the appropriate way to celebrate Christmas. He works for a Christian ministry whose staff spans the gamut of theological understanding, and their approach to this topic is similarly varied. Some celebrate Christmas traditionally, while others think it's too materialistic and either subdue their celebration or avoid... 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 →
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 →
Recently, I attended an event with my husband. I had been looking forward to it for awhile, so when we found a sitter for the kids, I went fully prepared to have the time of my life. Instead, despite the fact that absolutely nothing went wrong and the event was lovely, I felt disappointed. I... Continue Reading →
Since becoming a mom, I’ve noticed that society—or at least, the Internet—often praises mothers as a group for their unselfishness, as if the mere act of becoming a mother automatically transforms women from regular people into selfless saints. Around Mother’s Day, memes will begin to circle social media praising the heroic selflessness of moms, and... Continue Reading →
During the seven years I have been a mom, countless moments have left me breathless with joy. The moment each of my babies was laid on my chest for the first time, or the times when they’ve fallen asleep on me and I’ve traced the curve of their soft cheeks in awe, or the instances... Continue Reading →
When we choose to accept criticism graciously rather than get defensive or angry, God uses it to make us more like Christ.
In Christ, we find the hope-filled antidote to the false notion that we can be or do anything we want.
age-long minute 