Teach Your Children Well . . .
I was tired. Overworked. Exhausted by the feel of small fingers and incessant demands and naps that weren’t taken. All three were young. One was five; the others were three and one. As we walked the aisles of the grocery store, I wasn’t sure I could keep...
For When You Feel Like You Just Aren’t The Mom You Thought You Would Be
We would get out the playdough almost daily and bake cookies just as often. We would read books, lots of books. The classics. There wouldn’t be any yelling. Everyone would get along in peace and harmony. I didn’t envision bickering. I didn’t envision...
Not a Silent Night: Beginning With The End
Above photo painted by Liz Lemon Swindle. Entitled “She Shall Bring Forth a Son” Every year, I promise to make it more about Jesus. Every year, I say we’ll purchase less gifts or commit to buying fair trade. Every year, I insist I won’t become...
You’re Invited: Not a Silent Night Advent Book Study
Every year, I vow I won’t do it . . . I won’t succumb to the insane consumerism and I’ll slow down long enough to enjoy the gift of my family. I’ll remember the reason for the season. I’ll exhale more and panic-breathe less. And every...
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When We Think It’s Impressive to Be Busy* Friends, I’m in Book Launch Land. I’m feverishly working to prepare for the release of Heart Sisters: Be the Friend You Want to Have. I’ll be re-posting some oldies (but hopefully you’ll think they’re goodies!) now and then so I can focus more on the upcoming release. Thanks for understanding . . . Oh – and I so appreciate you taking the time share on social media. This is the way of the writer these days and will help get the word out about Heart Sisters! A few years ago, I was talking to a woman who was in ..
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For When You Wash Your Phone in the Washing MachineLast week, I found myself with an unplanned hour and a house of beckoning chores demanding immediate attention. So like any woman with a house full o’ kids and a husband that works long hours, I thought I would just cram as much as I possibly could into those precious 60 minutes. I arrived home, put on my running shoes and started to RUN throughout the house, checking this and that off my list. A few minutes into my Wonder Woman mission, I grabbed a load of dirty towels and, clutching my phone in my right hand, loaded them in ..
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Five Ways To Raise An Anxious ChildI know, I know . . . Who wants to raise an anxious child? Who would ever read such a post? Of course, none of us intentionally tries to raise a child prone to anxiety and stress. But many of us are. Myself included. I’m not preaching to you from the pulpit – I’m talking to you as a friend sitting with you in the same boat. And at times it feels like we’re wearing life preservers and praying for rescue, doesn’t it? The more I think about this though, the more I realize that perhaps parenting is really not ..
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Church Shopping: On Finding a New ChurchIf you’ve been hurt by the church, then it’s likely the thought of ever going back to church again is right up there with oh, say getting your teeth pulled (sorry, Honey.) (My husband’s a dentist. I have to watch dental jokes and comparisons.). I need to confess I once felt the same. Honestly, when those wounds were still raw, the thought of ever stepping foot inside another church again was enough to make me physically ill. We (Jason and I) talked it over incessantly. “Maybe we could just follow Jesus and just not go to church?” we asked each ..
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Why Christians Don’t Always Have to AgreeWe sat contemplatively around the table, speaking softly about the struggles of marriage. I complimented her on her courage because for some reason, we feel shame when we admit our marriage is in trouble. I know because I’ve been there and felt it, too. I begin to share some of my own heart and experiences with my ten year old marriage, wisdom attained through the really hard places. Unfinished wisdom that still percolates and wisdom I know but don’t always allow my actions and choices to show it. I then share some heart changes I had to make in order ..
