Mom would sprinkle a few drops of dish soap onto our plastic slide, hook up the hose, and away we’d go. Dad would swoop us up at the other side, and we’d run towards Mom, ready for another go-round. Soon, more neighbor kids would hear us, and they would slide with us down the slippery slope. It’s easy to slide downhill, however, trying to reverse course is next to impossible after reaching the mid-point because momentum kicks in. …
Continue reading →Matt was four, Danielle was six, and we were at the mall’s pet store. A clerk placed a puppy in my hands, which I coddled, showed Danielle, and then turned around to show to my son. But in those few seconds, he had slipped away—it happened so fast. …
Continue reading →Separating the lies we’ve believed, from the truth of who He really is, makes all the difference. When we do this, we realize God is so much better than any human being could ever be. He is the kind of father who is a mighty protector as well as a loving redeemer. He constantly watches over His children, stands up for their cause, and takes up their grievances in a powerful way. He can do for us what no earthly father could ever do, no matter how amazing our dads are. This is the beauty of our Heavenly Father. The truth is, He loves us better than anyone else ever could. …
Continue reading →Because of Izzy’s advanced age, we had not prayed for healing—instead, we had asked God for “one more good year.” A year and a half later, she was still with us. God had exceeded what we asked for, and we had learned to be thankful for things we once took for granted….
Continue reading →I had let go of some priorities. …
Continue reading →Children are a gift from the Lord. . . . How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! ~Psalm 127:3–5 NLT “Would you like to keep our kids, too, tomorrow?” The holiday season had arrived. I was out on Thanksgiving break, and our daughter was great with child. We had already kept her three kids for a day while she and our son-in-law shopped locally. She didn’t feel like going out of town and could only walk around … Continue reading →
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. ~1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT He told them to give thanks . . . and they listened. The day was the Monday before our Thanksgiving break. The Upper School principal was to deliver the chapel sermon. The kids had heard him speak many times during the school year, but usually to correct them about some mischievous behavior, not share a sermon. This time, he would do the … Continue reading →
My favorite Christmas was the time I put my name on every gift under the tree. I have a large family with five sisters plus my mom and dad. My aunt and uncle came over Christmas Eve to stay the night with us. While everyone was busy preparing for Christmas Day, I sat on the floor by the Christmas tree with wrapping paper, scissors and a pen, making new gift tags with my name on them for each one. …
Continue reading →For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ~Isaiah 9:6 NLT Rarely did Santa bring Mom what she wanted for Christmas, but one Christmas, he did. Mom and her sister grew up the daughters of a dirt-poor farmer who attempted to eke out a living from the sandy soil near Vance, South Carolina. My … Continue reading →
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. ~Romans 8:38 NLT I remember them well—the good old days without Christmas separation. When I was young, my parents planned our Christmas Day celebrations, and I didn’t complain. We headed to my paternal grandparents’ home for lunch. The five of us gathered with my dad’s sister, my uncle, and their two kids. When we walked into the house, we discovered a mountain of presents around the tree, … Continue reading →
