Follow Well. Lead Well.
Every Christmas story, play or nativity includes shepherds. When my kids were small, we dug through the closets to find costumes for our own Christmas story reenactment. Being the only girl, I was, of course, always Mary. The baby at the time was Jesus, and another kid would be a shepherd with a towel or …
It is easy to be surprised by how quickly Christmas seems to creep up. I am not sure why this is, since we are reminded about it daily for quite awhile. It isn’t as if the retail stores have tried to keep it a secret for the last two months! I am also always surprised how …
Peace. Whether as a sentiment in a card or sung at the mall, it adorns the season — like so many other ornaments of the holidays. I don’t really think much about “why” this is, as Christmas surrounds me. I sure have long enough to ponder things like peace, since the store decorations have been …
It is time to be thankful, not just because it is Thanksgiving week, the leaves are changing and Fall is a wonderful season. But the theme of thanksgiving seems to be continually popping up, along with the encouragement for practicing thanksgiving in many forms. Whether it is counting in a thousand ways, 40 days, or finding ways of generously being …
Do you remember the scene in “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” the one in which his tiny heart begins to grow? He expected whining, crying, and complaining when Whoville woke up to the absence of Christmas gifts, but instead the Grinch heard singing. They had no presents (the Grinch had made sure of that), but …
Anxiety is such a nuisance. It is a thief that quietly finds its way in, going unnoticed, lurking around finding an assortment of things to disturb. Unlike a thief that quickly flees, anxiety steals peace and then easily makes itself at home. Soon the unwelcome guest takes up permanent residence. My chest is feeling a …
There are parts of my life that I am well-aware, and other parts that I am not so aware of, that I would rather not talk about. I would rather not address them because it feels rather embarrassing or difficult to change. There is a dichotomy in my life. I would rather keep up the …
I feel really, really full — and not the good kind of full, like you feel after a good conversation, a hug from your child or a nice compliment. There is the “full of contentment and peace” and then there is the “full” that feels like a stuffed turkey. After all the yummy baked goods …
I come to these places in my life when I am a little tired of myself — well a lot tired of myself. I wish I could be done with my pesky sin, my bothersome habits, and my annoying self-absorption. I feel a little like this right now. It can feel like I am in …
“What in the world,” was my thought my sophomore year in college when I was asked to join a group from my university for a six week summer mission. My heart knew how scared, “unspiritual,” and ill-equipped I felt for taking this sort of step of faith. “She really wants me to join her?” I …
When was the last time you felt lonely? I don’t like to admit when I feel lonely. I can be a little melancholy and reflective. I can feel lonely after a big event, in the midst of a crowd, or after a personal success. Loneliness can come visit any of us for so many reasons. We …
One summer, upon returning from a year in Russia, Brian and I along with our small boys needed to live with Brian’s parents while we hunted for a place to live. After living in Russia we relished in all the American goods, but especially in comfort foods. You know what I mean — the food …
If you could choose the best and tastiest food to eat, you would probably not decline it! And if this food would not only not “hurt” your health, but it would actually make you all-around healthier, you would probably think it sounds too good to be true! I don’t think you or I would say, “No, I …
If I could break up the clouds and have a bird’s eye view of my life, what would I see? What type of things would I find repeated? What would stand out against the landscape of my ordinary life? Often my eyes are clouded by what is directly in front of me. Therefore, it is good …
Sometimes we look back and are disappointed how things have gone. How did we get off to such a bad start? We didn’t do what we said we were going to do. We did or said things we said we were not going to do or say. We didn’t begin well. And now we are …
