Are you prepared?

I was reminded this week of how quickly things can change. I listened to the wife of our dear brother share at his funeral, “I never imagined that this time last week, I would be standing up here talking about the loss of my husband.” Whether a loved one suffers over a period of time … More Are you prepared?

Yet…

When you’re out of gas physically and emotionally, it doesn’t mean that you have to be wiped out spiritually. It’s been a hard week, as I watched a dear family lose both husband/father and home all in one night. Wiped out doesn’t even begin to describe it. My brother and I were talking that while … More Yet…

One more lost tie

Some things just throw you off in the grief walk, and even when it’s not as devastating as during the early days, you still feel it. Over a week ago, I switched phones. I liked my phone, but it was always getting full, so my sweet eldest son offered me his old one with lots … More One more lost tie

This is Love

I was supposed to have a meeting at 5 p.m. and then rush to ESL class before 6:30, but I couldn’t figure out why no one was showing up for the meeting. Then I realized — it’s Valentine’s Day. They must have rescheduled and didn’t tell me. So, I had time to go home, feed … More This is Love

Eternity in your heart

Sometimes God has to get us out of our seats, because he’s got someone we need to meet. That happened to me today, an otherwise ordinary day. I’d been sitting at my desk too long, and felt the need to move. After checking on staff, I turned to go back toward my office, and there … More Eternity in your heart

Humming

When grief first hits, it sucks the life out of you. You find it hard to breathe. As the days go on, sleep is lost, and you live in a fog. It’s hard to believe you’re able to get through one day, much less another, and then, all of a sudden, a month has passed … More Humming

I remember

Sometimes my favorite conversations are those when I say nothing at all, but just sit and listen to the interaction between the participants. That’s what happened to me this past week, as I visited my husband’s family in California. It was a typical gathering of his siblings — always plenty to eat and drink, along … More I remember

No longer two, but one

I’ve been striving to listen for God to speak to me for the year ahead…for my life in general. It’s amazing how, when we’re attentive, he uses different avenues to reach us with his message. I’m thankful for what he’s spoken through his Word, through emails from friends, and through a recent visit. How do … More No longer two, but one

A spacious place

I had a wonderful professor in seminary, Dr. Lacoste Munn, who, when speaking about a God’s Word, said it was “shallow enough for a child to wade in and deep enough for an elephant to swim in.” I have found that true throughout my life, and while much of the time I prefer the shallow … More A spacious place