Sometimes I wonder if parents have a special love language toward their children. I’m talking about how good it feels to give them a gift, to help them fulfill a dream. Nothing much like it in parenting, I think. Even Scripture says all parents want to give good gifts to their children (Matthew … [Read more...] about What to Do When the Dream Dies Again
miracle
Is God Always Listening?
“Uh-hu…I see…Hmmmm…” In between stories of Littlest Pet Shop and potty training, and questions about bible characters and canned soup, I tried to insert interest. Sort of. My toddler stopped her nonstop banter and put her tiny hands on my cheeks, turning my head toward her. “Mommy, listen … [Read more...] about Is God Always Listening?
When Christmas Feels Like a Catastrophe
It seemed destined to fail from the start. My three young adult kids decided to start a new tradition. Rather than purchasing ready-made, they wanted to make Christmas gifts for each family member. None of them lived here. They were all busy with college finals and new jobs right up until they … [Read more...] about When Christmas Feels Like a Catastrophe
On Hope and a Plan
In the 1970s, the year 2020 sounded very futuristic, like the shows we watched of The Six Million Dollar Man or Lost in Space. About that time, my older brother wrote some far-away predictions on a classroom-sized chalkboard that hung hidden (and rather out of place) along one wall in our … [Read more...] about On Hope and a Plan
What to Remember When Gratitude Is Elusive
Like love, gratitude is not something you feel, it's something you choose to practice. While we would all love to feel thankful on a regular basis, it is the times we struggle to feel it that we realize gratitude is a way of life. I have begun to understand this more and more. It is a fundamental … [Read more...] about What to Remember When Gratitude Is Elusive
Becoming Mom
Tomorrow is May 1: May Day, my sister’s birthday, my youngest daughter’s birthday. May also brings the National Day of Prayer and, outside of the last day of school, the best occasion: Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day always brings a flood of memories to us empty-nesting moms. We can still remember … [Read more...] about Becoming Mom