Gaining a heart of wisdom
2024 Best Reads! I'm flinching just a bit over the word "best" here, because what would be a blissful read to me might be torturous for you—or for my good husband who has yet to comprehend my devotion to Wendell Berry's and Marilynne Robinson's fiction. ("Nothing happens!") The four superlatives I've chosen have distinguished themselves… Continue reading My Favorite Books from a Year of Good Reading
Since April 2024, a story has been unfolding very vividly in my home, in our family, and, therefore, in my life. I've held it close, not sharing it here, but the story ended on December 5th, and I've had some time to process its impact. Back in April, a dear friend was diagnosed with advanced-stage… Continue reading Get Wisdom: It’s a Worthy Pursuit for 2025
Christmas is a celebration of God's great rescue plan. Paul, chief of the apostles and “chief of sinners,” put it succinctly when he wrote that God “did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all," and then asked, "How will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) Having gone… Continue reading Celebrate the Gift of a God Given Rescue Plan
Today we'll light the third Advent candle and brace ourselves for the coming week. In a perfect world, the shopping is done, the presents are wrapped, and everyone is in agreement on guest lists and festive menus. In the real world, we trust for grace. We prepare to welcome Jesus into our mess, grateful for… Continue reading What Is the Full Purpose of Advent?
We propped the lopsided flannel board against the back of the couch, and my grandkids organized the slightly dogeared images, arguing for a minute about who would get to "do the snake." Apparently, Moses wore a bright pink striped robe in his encounter with the burning bush and didn't have time to change before his… Continue reading Bring the Kids You Love Heart to Heart with the Bible
How long has it been since you sat down and read both Gospel accounts of Jesus's birth?If you're like me, you can sing all the verses of every traditional Christmas carol. But when was the last time you really listened to the words? Sensory overload during the Christmas season is real. It steals our joy… Continue reading Fall in Love with the Christmas Story All Over Again
For a family with four sons, close in age like little stairsteps, it seems impossible to fly under the radar. In restaurants, other customers would approach our table with compliments about boys who ate salad or boys who managed themselves politely. We may have heard more than our share of admonitions to "enjoy this stage… Continue reading How Your Imperfect Family Can Make an Eternal Impact
We are covered to the elbows in red and green paint, but the festive wrapping paper stretched out to dry on the table before us more than justifies the mess. The toddler points to his distinctively tiny handprints and smiles his satisfaction, as his older brothers start wondering aloud about cocoa with candy cane stirrers.… Continue reading To the Woman Who Feels Crowded by Christmas
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite days of the entire year. It's all about preparation: rolling pie crust, making yeast rolls, peeling vegetables, boiling cranberries, and assembling the traditional turkey stuffing with lots of celery. With Handel's Messiah blasting in the background, I pour a year's worth of gratitude into… Continue reading Are You Giving Thanks for Your Changing Family—and Your Changing Holidays?
Marriage and family are two gifts God has graciously granted to me—even though I didn't have the optimism or good sense to pray for them. Perhaps that's why I am now so grateful for the privilege of being a wife and mother. Maybe that's why I am awestruck with every announcement of another grandchild on… Continue reading Look at All Your Blessings Through Eyes of Wonder
Living Our Days 