I sit in the Asian Collection at the National Arboretum in Washington D.C, my "go to" place for quiet and reflection. I sit quietly among the birds chirping and the flowers budding and blooming. The calming sounds of nature all around remind me of Jesus's...
It was 2 A.M. when he crawled into my bed, shaking with terror. "Mama, the bad guys were in my bed." "You mean you had a nightmare, baby?" "Yeah. I need to stay in your bed." "Ok, honey. You can sleep on Daddy's side" (Daddy's...
It was a lovely day at the park, a time of play and fun and sunshine. Laughter rippled across the playground and swings lifted little legs high until they felt they could fly. It was then that I heard her cry. In the midst of play,...
Only a few days ago, my neighbor began to prepare the soil of his garden for spring. "Wow, is it time for that already?!" I thought, considering the snow that loomed on the horizon. And yet, before we know it, the first buds and blooms...
As a mother of four, I am regularly faced with a child who has fallen or been hurt crying to me for support and love. What tenderizes my heart in these moments is that usually the physical injury they have incurred isn't that bad, but...
Reclaiming Our Peace “I just want to be peaceful, Mama.” Me too, baby, me too. “I just want to be peaceful” is Penny speak for “I just need to curl up on the couch with you and read a book,” or “I need be alone in...
Where does Thanksgiving find you this year, friend? Perhaps you are bursting at the seams with joy, brimming over with praise to God for all He has done this year. On the other hand, maybe as you gather with others this year your table is...
A few weeks ago, our church family walked through a great tragedy. A newly married man in our congregation experienced a fatal fall while hiking on his honeymoon on the Hawaiian island of Kawai. In the days before he was found, the members of our...
A faint gurgle of toddler laughter drifted up the stairs as Penny danced and giggled with her Mimi. The sound was music to my ears as I nursed my sweet son before his nap. I cradled my growing boy (97th percentile for height!) and studied...
I was at a nearby park alone - away from my tribe for an hour - just to breathe. My husband had a work conference that required him working late nights for several days in a row which meant that I was pulling twelve-thirteen hour...