Faithful Paradox

We took our younger two sons for an overnight stay in Denver last week. We tried to find some fun with them, saying “yes” as often as we could. We rode scooters through the city streets, swam, ate delicious food, shopped, and spent some time at a driving range. It was sweet to be together.… Continue reading

There is a very real tension that comes within the Christian faith when we face times of loss and devastation. The strain comes for many believers on the road that travels from a head that knows what obedience is to a heart that feels deeply hurt by the outcome. We see the example of Christ;… Continue reading

I had someone recently ask, “Do you think grief can become an idol?” My gut reaction was, “Yes, of course!” As Calvin stated, our hearts are idol factories. As I have chewed on this question over the last several days, I actually think the answer is much more layered. Long before grief becomes an idol,… Continue reading

Had someone asked me 4 years ago, “how long do you think you could write about grief?” I imagine my answer would have been maybe for a year or two. I had no category for how long it takes to work through the layers of pain and loss. I had no concept of the difficult… Continue reading

I had one of those afternoons recently where I was mindlessly scrolling. I was weary and worn, out of energy to engage people, and really just wanting to check out. As tends to happen in these times, I followed a rabbit hole and stumbled across a friend’s social media page; a friend from a lifetime… Continue reading

I have a son who survived an oftentimes fatal, catastrophic pediatric seizure disorder as a baby. The disorder caused brain damage, developmental disabilities, and he has struggled with seizures now for 16 years. After a particularly terrible seizure last week, one of his brothers sat in my room in tears. He was unable to sleep… Continue reading

If I were to give an honest assessment of my natural temperament, I would say I tend to be a glass-half-full type of gal. My native bent would be like that of a Puddleglum or maybe a slightly more refined Eeyore. Were I to choose, I’d much prefer to have the natural countenance of say… Continue reading

It seems in today’s culture, those with names and followings are recognized for their success. Those with notoriety and sway are the ones who are seen as influencers; worth listening to. It is one of the greatest deceptions of our age: Your success and value are tied to what you’ve accomplished – to your name.… Continue reading

Raising five boys, there was never a loss of brotherly competition or rivalry in our home. There was always an effort between the boys to show who was king for the day. When my kids were young, this dynamic was especially present during times when one of the boys had the opportunity to shine. When… Continue reading

Yesterday would have been Ezra’s 22nd birthday. In many ways, 22 years seems inconsequential. It’s just another number; another date on the calendar. Yet as I watch his friends, I see them graduating college. I see them finding their first full time jobs and stepping into new seasons. I see them marrying and launching into… Continue reading