On Thursdays, we eat Haitian rice and beans. We pray for our friends in Haiti and around the world.We started this tradition in January before we knew the coronavirus even existed. Long before people were stocking their pantries for home quarantine. We wanted to eat this simple meal in solidarity with people who survive on little.Haitian rice and ... [Keep Reading...]
compassion
Pivoting Away from Jealousy Toward Abundance
When I was a newly-minted widow, I started to struggle with envy. In those early days of grief, it was excruciatingly hard for me to see all the summer vacation photos with daddies playing with their kids, the wedding anniversary celebrations, and the perfectly-crafted family Christmas pictures. Feelings rose up inside me that I never faced before. ... [Keep Reading...]
Providing a sense of home for widows in Haiti
She would often tap-tap-tap on the back screen door of the Bell Mission House built by my husband’s grandparents, where our family typically stayed. The first thing most people notice about Comère is she’s blind. Comère walked more than 5 miles from her home in Bahoncy beyond Fontaine in the northern mountains of Haiti. She would bring one of her ... [Keep Reading...]
Redeeming Ruth: The Father’s Heart for the vulnerable
I was invited to share a message this Sunday at Action Community Church in Clovis for their summer series, "A Father's Heart: a series about things God cares about." I chose to share about God's heart for the vulnerable, specifically widows, orphans, immigrants/foreigners and the poor. In this message, I unpack the story of Ruth in the Bible ... [Keep Reading...]
How to celebrate Father’s Day when your daddy is gone
I still remember that first Father’s Day after my husband’s death. I didn’t know what to do. As the day grew closer, I felt more and more paralyzed about how to prepare for the day. I was invited to an out-of-state wedding. Despite my guilt in leaving my three daughters behind with grandparents, I knew I needed to go. It would be good for my ... [Keep Reading...]
A podcast roundup: My story for His glory
Each one of us is called to be a storyteller. We tell the stories of our lives in different ways. We may use our creativity to write, paint, cook, and even do our jobs with excellence. In everyday conversations, we have many opportunities to share what God has done for us and His faithfulness. Our stories point others to His glory. Romans 9:17 ... [Keep Reading...]