Each year at the start of the Advent season, I find myself thinking about Mary, the mother of Jesus. This teenage girl was to be a womb for God, the mother of His one and only son. That day when the angel Gabriel came to her, I imagine light refracting in all directions in her humble home in Nazareth. I have three daughters hovering in the [...] Keep Reading
inspirational
Rejoice Advent Devotional: How strength rises when we wait
Have you ever had to wait a really long time for something? I have to admit that waiting is not my favorite. Whether we are waiting for test results, for our teenager to come home, or for reconciliation to happen with that friend, waiting holds weight. Imagine with me how the prophetess Anna felt about waiting. There are only a few [...] Keep Reading
Love well by listening well
A year ago, my husband Shawn and I embarked on a new journey. We joined a marriage class at our church called Re-engage. Shawn and I married four years ago after the death of my first husband Ericlee. He joined our family of four girls (including me) when we were in the throes of grief and gently shepherded us through some tough transitions. Last [...] Keep Reading
Lessons from running: Stringing days together
The following is a guest post by my friend Gloryanna Boge. She's a writer-runner-mama who I met through the Hopewriters writing group online. She and I share similar hearts and lots of Voxer messages across the miles. By Gloryanna Boge I’ve really missed coaching high school Cross Country these last couple of years. I coached for [...] Keep Reading
6 Ways to Find God’s Peace in Difficult Circumstances
Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved the hymn “It Is Well.” There was something about those lyrics that brought a sense of peace whenever I sang them: “When peace like a river, attendeth my way… It is well, it is well, with my soul.” Horatio G. Spafford, the man who penned that hymn, experienced profound tragedy with the death of his son [...] Keep Reading
Running for His glory: When showing up for your race matters
The following is the closing article to my summer series, "Running for His glory," on the intersection of running and faith. This particular essay was originally published at www.incourage.me. I am so grateful for the diversity of voices and guests who have joined me in writing for this series. Leave a comment if something in this essay or the [...] Keep Reading