Blog Posts

Last year we received three surprises: both our daughters were pregnant, they were due in the same month, and both babies were diagnosed with serious health issues. Wow. I have anxious moments during pregnancies, struggling with “what if” fears. But when tests reveal something is wrong the hovering “what if” becomes an identifiable, sharp-toothed monster.…

Obedience and blessing. Years ago, I decided to “go,” to accept a job in another state. Going was my idea. I had doubts but couldn’t identify a “good reason” why I shouldn’t go. It was a great job; it would be a step up in my career. Despite repeatedly sensing I should stay (which I…

Abby is a faithful prayer warrior. Every day Abby spends hours in prayer. We met almost thirty years ago when she facilitated a women’s prayer group, a fellowship that gathered  and prayed for many years. Over fifteen years ago Abby became a widow, losing her husband to a sudden, fatal heart attack. We talked one…

Can I trust God? Do I have enough of money? My car decided it didn’t want to “go”. In bright orange letters, it announced “Immobilizer Issue, Check Manual.” I tried again; little power accompanied by lurching. Unsuccessful in maneuvering to the curb, all but the orange parade died.   Keep calm… put on the flashers.…

Unanswered prayer.  Unexpected answers. We pray, hoping the Lord will change something: a circumstance, a situation, a heart. With frustration, we realize it seems nothing has changed. But we’re wrong. The “something” the Lord has changed is the heart.   I prayed for decades. I knocked, asked, and prayed for a couple of decades. Sometimes…

My two front teeth were crooked from childhood, well into adulthood. One partly overlapped the other. I was extremely self-conscious. When senior picture day arrived, I tried to smile without showing my teeth. It was tough to get a yearbook ready photo (let alone one my mother liked). Fortunately, we had a good photographer. Years…

Are you ready to rip-off, wad-up and toss the last calendar page of 2020? I am. I don’t know anyone who isn’t. 2020 has the potential of leaving us with PTSD, unable to stand, questioning the faithfulness of God. That’s not a good place to be. Even though it may not seem like it, we…

How do you cope with an annoying, on-going responsibility? An obligation some would say is “not your problem.” A duty that it’s clear Jesus wants you to assume. Nancy lived with schizophrenia, an incurable disease. Management of her care fell to Sherrie, her closest relative. While all Nancy’s needs were addressed through social services, her…

Making Decisions How do you make a decision? Every day we make dozens of them, with no conscious thought: take the vitamins; flip the light switch; flush the toilet. If I don’t take my morning vitamins then I might find myself sluggish that afternoon. Annoying but not life-threatening. Forget to turn the light on before…

Life can be overwhelming. Sometimes the Lord gives us what feels like way more than we can handle. Recently I found myself dealing with an elderly mother-in-law in palliative care, a mentally ill family member refusing needed treatment for a physical problem, and an emotionally challenged member struggling with consequences – some from her decisions…