I’m not normally a stubborn person. Really. I’m not. But when the nurse stuck her head in pre-op and told me it was time to leave I didn’t budge. Thankfully, the lovely woman shaving Rev’s chest agreed—her affirmation helped me stay by his side a little longer. A little later the kids told me a…
You would think love would be an easy subject, wouldn’t you? We toss around the word all the time. I love this or that post. I love good coffee. I love Ted Drewes Custard (it’s a St. Louis thing). I love babies and puppies and quiet afternoons. And that’s just the top of the list…
How to love the unlovely. I planned this in my editorial schedule weeks ago. Back when it seemed far away and easy to write. But it’s not at all easy… This is a hard. I wonder if it’s hard for you too. Loving the unlovely. The less than lovable. Loving when everything in you and me…
Stranger danger… is the danger to children and adults, presented by strangers. The phrase stranger danger is intended to sum up the danger associated with adults whom adults/children do not know. (Wikipedia) And because of stranger danger we: Don’t talk with strangers. Don’t walk with strangers. Don’t… In fact, children are told to run the…
“And the second is equally as important.” Equally important to loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength is… Loving your neighbor as you love yourself. Matthew 22:39 This one’s hard isn’t it? Loving imperfect people? People can’t see our hearts. They can’t tell how much we love God . . . except by…
I don’t give much parenting advice because well . . . I don’t have much to give. Each child is unique and what worked for me may not work for you and what didn’t work for me might be the answer for you.
Since our children have been grown for some time, I do however have some advice on loving your adult children well.
You can read tons of posts about loving or not loving the church, but the truth is it’s not the church that frustrates us. It’s the people in the church. The church as the family of believers. And… Families are messy and church families are no exception because any time you put imperfect people together ….
It’s common for Sanguines to stick their feet in their mouth. Yes, I said feet. If we’re going to verbally stumble we’re going to do it big. If you missed my “big mouth” lead-in to the story, you may want to head over and read it here. The Confession that Rescued My Hopes and Dreams I…
Tomorrow Rev and I will celebrate the anniversary of the day we met. I’m just thankful he didn’t throw me out after my big mouth almost ruined everything. We met at a dorm devotion at Concordia College in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now it’s really not as holy as it sounds. Dorm devos were often set…
“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” ~Elbert Hubbard I am so grateful for you. Yes, you. The person on the other side of the screen, who visits and reads my inadequate words of faith, hope, and love. 10 Reasons I’m Thankful for You You bless me every time to visit….
We’d been at the church for only a few months when past differences and current beliefs caused more than half the congregation to leave. It’s ugly and painful. I searched Google asking, “How many protestant denominations are there in the world?” The answers are staggering . . . anywhere from just under 1,000 to upwards of…
My mother-in-love used to tell us how much she missed the blessing of caring touch. Recently, a friend of ours said the same thing following our Sunday morning hug. For those who live alone a caring healing touch is precious. But it all really hit me when I read my morning devotion from, Just Like Jesus Devotional: A Thirty-Day Walk with…
What kind of memories are you making at your house? Not just holidays and celebrations. Not traditions. Not even scrapbooks, digital photos, videos, or anything you put on social media to save for the future. But normal everyday moments that are planting seeds of memories in your children and your spouse. I’m talking about HOME! Family! People!…
When your mess gets exposed, whether it is of your own making or not, it’s impossible to look good. The painful truth is that an exposed mess leaves us open to judgment, criticism, gossip… and the list goes on. Talk about feeling vulnerable! I’ve found it surprising though that an exposed life is better. It may not feel like it right away….
This cracks me up. One of those funny truths. Some days people are just too hard. Day’s when you’re: Frustrated. Angry. Hurt. Tired. Exhausted. _________. [Tweet “What do you do when you can’t people? Can’t family? Can’t coworkers? Can’t . . . nope you just can’t?”] Paul had an answer. Since God chose you to be the holy…
The schools in our area started a couple of weeks ago. For many of you school will start this week or next. With new routines and adapting to differing schedules . . . I thought it might be a good idea to share my favorite tips for beginning each day in ways that offer less…
Gossip is anything said about someone to someone that isn’t loving and kind and that you wouldn’t say directly to the person about whom you’re talking. If you catch yourself participating in this—you are gossiping. Gossip hurts. If you’ve ever been the victim of gossip you know it hurts. People gossip because of… Pride Envy Insecurity Resentment And…
Who didn’t love you? Ten years ago yesterday my heart crumbled. Love refused. Relationship rejected. Maybe your heart was broken by your crush in school. Maybe your parent. Your friend. Your spouse. Your child. It’s impossible to get through life without a broken heart. Unfortunately we can’t make everyone love us. There will be someone or someones who won’t return our love….
[Tweet “”A baby is born with a need to be loved . . . and never outgrows it.” ~Frank A. Clark, The Country Parson”] Everyone is born with an inherent need to be loved . . . this complex feeling that’s hard to explain. From first inhale to final exhale and beyond you and I were created for love….
Personal nosey questions… They can make you break out in a cold sweat, avoid new situations, and look for the closest exits. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying…
