August of 2020 seems so long ago, but I’m revisiting a post from back then because it was such an uncertain time. As I face some new unknowns over the next month, I want to remember some things I learned during that first year or two of Covid. I remember spending more time outside and […]
Do you ever feel like you’re free falling? If you’re a thrill seeker, maybe that doesn’t sound so bad. For me, the feeling doesn’t make me excited or happy. The feeling makes me want to run away, hide, or quit. If you are contemplating quitting, hiding, or running away, I want to enourage you today! […]
This past year my family moved out of the house I’d lived in longer than any other house. We were moving into an old farmhouse that we were rehabbing ourselves. It was a challenging process both physically and mentally. As I considered all of the things I’d miss about the home I’d brought my babies up […]
There was a time in my life when I felt a heavy burden and great stress about what I was and wasn’t doing. At that time, I was a baby Christian with a poor understanding of the realities of who I was in Christ and how God made me. Each time a good activity […]
The kids and I sprawled out on the partly shaded trampoline with our books. The gentle, spring wind blew magnolia petals onto us. The sunshine and perfect, sixty-five-degree temperature were just too much for them, though. Every time I attempted to move us toward our homeschool lessons, they giggled or tried to insert a joke. […]
Can a person’s own attitudes both create and reduce stress? Unfortunately and fortunately, yes! Perhaps attitude is one of greatest potential personal strengths…but also one of our greatest weaknesses. The inner workings of our attitudes are hidden, but they always produce visible overflow into our behavior, including our stress responses. Unfortunately, bad attitudes can create […]
Does this passage resonate with you? “Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” -Psalm 28:6-7 Me too! I can say that no matter how you […]
Have you ever witnessed a great mediator at work? One of the best human mediators I’ve seen in action is my husband. He’s great at calming a storm in just about any kind of situation. Our family is blessed to have him as he can readily bring peace into intense situations brought on by offenses […]
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can be linked to the six leading causes of death: heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and suicide. And more than 75 percent of all physician office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints. That sounds really disheartening, but let me give you some encouragement! Not all […]
I have dream that one day all of our thinking patterns that are damaging to ourselves, our loved ones, our relationship with the world around us and to God will be obliterated! Thankfully, I know that this will happen! “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be […]
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We weave thick vines in and out of and around our circular, amateur base to create a decorative ball. Soon, solar lights will be added to make it a visible yard ornament for the dark fall and winter nights that stretch ahead of us. It seems to be an illustration of our friendship. By now, […]
Do you ever feel ashamed or disappointed that you have lacked faith or confidence in God…or even doubted Him? Our doubts, lack of trust, or weak faith may tempt us to think our faith isn’t strong enough. Let’s look at some scripture passages that might encourage us – even if our faith feels small today. […]