As a foster mom, I honestly might cry if someone gives us or a child living with us One. More.…
Dear Child, When I Fail You…
Dear child, I have discovered my most important contribution as a parent. I get to teach you– daily–that people aren’t…
God is Truly Near the Brokenhearted
It was my 14-week appointment with my midwife, and we chatted easily about our summer travel plans, which hospital I…
Dear Husband, Let’s Get Back to That Simple Kind of Love
My hubby and I were both sitting on the stairs, where we had collapsed after the marathon bedtime rituals, scrolling…
A Reclaimed Life: When the Detour Brings You Full Circle
I remember that unfinished basement, with its square brown laminate tiles, non-working 50’s fridge that Mom used as a pantry…
A Reclaimed Life: Never Too Young, Never Too Old
Just a few short years into our marriage – which had included buying our first home, settling into our first…
A Reclaimed Life: God Gets the Glory, Even in Loss
Josh told Maria: “No matter what, if I’m healed, of course God will get the glory – because there are so many people praying for me. But God has to get the glory if I die, too.”
“I was so mad at him for saying that,” Maria says.
Reclaimed Perspective: Family First?
Look at me all crazy if you need to, but I’m not actually convinced that the priorities fed to me…
Reclaimed Perspective: When Generosity Doesn’t Go As Planned…
The couple that showed up for church this particular [pre-COVID] Sunday had been invited by the friend of a friend… and that friend had met them at a plasma center, where they were all trying to make a few bucks selling their plasma…
Reclaimed Perspective: When You’ve Been in the Desert for 40 Desperate Years
Sometimes He leads us out of the fire, unburned; Sometimes through the desert for 40 desperate years. Sometimes He leads…
Reclaimed Perspective: And Other Notorious Sinners
I love this quote from the Bible: “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach”…
Reclaimed Perspective: Reaching Your Goals When They’re Lost in the Fog
This summer we took our five kiddos on a month-long road trip to see ten national parks. Most of the parks were impressive from the moment we drove into them. But our first day at Mt. Rainier was a huge disappointment.
Reclaimed Perspective: On “Feeling” Obedient
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and…
Sunroom (& Heart) Renovation
Your house [or heart] renovation will get messy and it will seem like it’s taking way too long. You may even want to quit before it’s done.
Reclaimed Perspective: Messy, Broken Faith
As a teenager, I pictured my faith like a china doll on a shelf. I had a pretty spirituality, something to both enjoy and show off. It was helpful and brought me feelings of peace. I was proud of my faith, and perfecting it (which seemed like an attainable goal at the time) was my aim.
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