It was May 13, 1999. I hung up the phone with my dad, sobbing in confusion and shock over the news he had just given me. My brother was gone. He had taken his life after a long battle with depression. I couldnโt fully process the reality of his death and I didnโt have...
Life Issues
When I Am Weak, Then I Am Strong
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is...
Walk By Faith
Weโve all heard of โblind trust,โ of stepping forward in faith, believing what lies ahead is better than what weโre leaving behind. Faith is easy to define, but never easy to live out. I think of the Israelites being led out of Egypt and into the desert. Surely...
Discovering A New Song Through Suffering
Honesty and openness in the conversation of suffering...it's what we need! Naomi, in the book of Ruth, expresses her pain openly, and feels no pressure to put on a face of pretense. Naomi saw and felt the reality of her suffering, and even more importantly, she saw...
Luz
After living a promiscuous life, wrecking relationships and trying drugs in my 20s, I was as empty as ever. I remember wanting to feel clean and being ashamed of the horrible reputation I had. I was searching for my value in others. I wanted to feel safe and...
Donna
โRejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Godโs will for you in Christ Jesus.โ I Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) I have had many tears and sorrows. They began when my fourteen-year old sister died of cancer when I was nine...
We Are All Warriors
Iโm pretty sure no one has ever called me a prayer warrior. I pray, of course, and if you ask me to pray for you, I assure you I will. But Iโll need to set a reminder in my phone or jot a note to myself so I donโt forget. I believe in the power of prayer, I really do,...
Slowing The Shame Spiral
I didnโt realize how upset I was until I stepped out of the house and made my way to the car. My mind was swirling with thoughts โ a mix of anger, disappointment and shame: Iโm a failure. Iโm never going to be a good enough mom or wife. Itโs not safe to be...
Telling Myself The Truth
One day, when I was a young mom, I had a conversation with an older woman about how she seemed so at peace with herself. She said to me, โIโve reached the age when Iโm just not willing to lie to myself anymore.โย I remember thinking โThat sounds amazing! I wonder what...