Blog Posts

Being “passed over” when teams were being formed in gym was never a good feeling. Being rejected – “passed over” – for an opportunity to participate in a play or join others for a special activity was painful. Being “passed over” by the in-crowd was wounding. As adults, we may have found ourselves “passed over”…

How do we respond when the Lord’s answer is “No”? When we struggle with relationships, problems, finances, illness, or see a loved one slowly slipping into the deepening shadow of Alzheimer’s? My sister suffers from schizophrenia. Diagnosed decades ago, I long prayed for healing only to watch her symptoms worsen. There are so many stories…

At the conclusion of 2020 many of us (myself included) were optimistically looking forward to the fresh start a new year brings. Hoping to put political and racial tensions behind us, encouraged by the announcement of vaccines to help protect us from COVID, we anticipated a respite from the unending anxiety and stress of a…

Lately, I’ve struggled to trust God with the future. Listening to the news, I’m challenged to believe for a better tomorrow – or at least one that’s no worse than today. Sometimes I slip into worry. I have to remind myself that God is sovereign. Over and over I recall Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know…

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…