Tag Archives: parenting

Practical Ways to Bless Your Child

VineWords Devotions and More

There are practical ways to bless your child. The Personal Sacrifice On your mark. Get set. Bang! After the official pulled the trigger, the runners exploded out of their ready-to-launch positions. Huge clusters of colors began the race together. My son stood among the blur of green, representing his college. It took six laps around the field of my alma mater to complete the 6K race. But for my family, the race was over in twenty-two minutes. Was it worth … Continue reading →

God’s Mercy Triumphs

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I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! ~Isaiah 57:18 NLT My children are a blessing, and I’ll always cherish the privilege of having watched them grow. Recollections of their laughter and silly antics still bring me joy. The memory of their childlike prayers fills me with melancholy and reminds me that God’s mercy triumphs. They’re adults now, and watching them make decisions on their own is more difficult than I imagined. Some of their decisions have … Continue reading →

Butter ‘n Curls

VineWords Devotions and More

Mother looked into Danielle’s innocent blue eyes and adored her butter ‘n curls. Danielle’s blond curls brushed her mother’s shoulder as she peered into the stew pot from the barstool. Each afternoon, she watched as her mother prepared dinner. She pretended to stir, twirling her soda straw as if it were a spoon. The Cooking   “Sweetheart,” Mother said, handing her daughter the squeeze butter and dinner rolls, “please help Mommy by putting these on the table.” Danielle’s mother continued … Continue reading →

It’s Better to Have Loved

VineWords Devotions and More

Growing up in the home of a social worker, I’ve always understood the deep need and important role that foster parents play. The good homes show love and kindness to every child who enters their home, regardless of the child’s behavior. The parents’ hearts are open. No matter how long or short the child’s stay, the parents give love. After all, it’s better to have loved. In my conversation with a foster-parent friend, I struggled to understand how they could … Continue reading →

Lost and Found

VineWords Devotions and More

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. …

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Taking the Place of Another

VineWords Devotions and More

But Samuel was ministering before the Lord—a boy wearing a linen ephod. Each year his mother made him a little robe and took it to him when she went up with her husband to offer the annual sacrifice. 1 Samuel 2:18-19 NIV One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage. And taking the place of another is never easy.  The Loss Miscarriage is a sad fact experienced by many women, including me. Both of my daughters-in-law have also experienced this heartbreak. … Continue reading →

I Left My Heart in Room 418

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Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. ~Psalm 127:3 ESV I left my heart in room 418. The Separation My oldest son begins eighth grade in a few weeks. I blinked. Now he’s an inch taller than me, his voice is deep, and his feet could double as canoes. But no matter how old he gets, I will see him as my little boy and remember that first day without him by … Continue reading →

Don’t Eat That

VineWords Devotions and More

“Don’t eat that! It’s poisonous,” I yelled across the playground. The Warning “They aren’t poisonous,” the second-grade boy replied. “I eat them all the time. See . . .” And he popped a shelled acorn into his mouth. I stood there. Mouth gaping. I looked at one of my coworkers and said, “My mother has lied to me all these years.” Later that day, I told my mom what had happened. Of course, she found it hilarious. “You mean, you … Continue reading →

Faith and Vulnerability 

VineWords Devotions and More

Faith and vulnerability met. Most of us would do anything to protect our children and keep them safe. Yet, as we grow older, we realize we can’t prevent our children from all hurtful and painful experiences. Now that my children are adults, I’m strapped with guilt at times as I catch sight of their struggles. Consequently, I wonder what I did wrong as a parent. What part of my earlier decisions shaped them negatively? Was it because I dragged them … Continue reading →