Sometimes we cry over personal pain or frustration. Sometimes over relational distress. Sometimes over an unexpectedly hard day. Sometimes my tears are understandable and justified. Sometimes I’ve cried selfish tears, or over dumb stuff. But there is some of my crying that my kids have seen that (I’m convinced) does good for their souls… It rises up…
Category: Grow as Mom
What I’m Reading, Thinking, Doing – 7/25/15
Done this last month: Culled our library, pulling out books for a garage sale, and for some upcoming giveaways. Worked with a young friend to clean out and organize my craft closet. Finished a writing job. I’m so thankful to be able to work on Bible studies as a side job for extra income. Did a week-long…
What Should A Young Man Be?
To the young lady, looking at a young man, as a potential husband: When you consider what you’d like in a young man, be honest… what ranks up there? Good looks? Nice eyes? Enjoyable sense of humor? Taller than you? Fun to talk to? Heck, I remember looking for those things (and getting them 🙂 I…
It Takes Courage to Submit
“It takes incredible amount of courage and strength to go against the grain of what people want you to be.” ~Janet Mock, trans advocate, in a documentary about Bruce Jenner’s recent ESPN award No it doesn’t. It doesn’t take strength at all to go your own way. That is what comes naturally. This is the human…
It’s GOOD When Kids Learn “It’s Not All About Me”
Five-month-old Luke is crawling now… or at least scooting very purposefully. And with every scoot, we get inches closer to a collision with two-year-old Theo’s self-orientation. Theo, our funny, introverted, snuggly, more-than-a-little-bit-opinionated boy has had two and a half years’ “reign” on the throne. By that I mean, more often than not, things go his way. Or he…
Mama, Are You Willing to Do the Hard, Loving Thing?
When faced with the hard things, we often want to avoid them, and excuse ourselves. Let’s talk about two places where Paul did the hard, loving thing (toward the Corinthians): 1 Cor 2:1-5 — Power of God v. persuasion through human will Paul was willing to purposefully forgo the use of his skills and talents in order…
Are You Believing This Lie About Love?
“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:11-12) Driving down the highway, I voiced my frustrations to the Lord about a friend. I listed out criticisms and hurts,…
Christian Woman, Are You a Wise Teacher Yet?
Do you remember this rebuke in Hebrews? “Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the basic principles of God’s revelation again. You need milk, not solid food.” (Heb 5:12) Can you imagine hearing this? I’m afraid too many churches… and too many women in our churches……
Mama, Are You Thinking Ahead?
One major struggle of women who have a hard time transitioning to the “empty nest” time seems to be that they never really thought their kids would be gone. They didn’t really think of their kids as future adults. Parenting wasn’t thought about in terms of raising MEN and WOMEN. It was just “my baby”, “my little…
June Mailbag: Courtship? College? Confidence as a Mom?
Each month I get a number of e-mails and private comments asking interesting questions that may be applicable to more than just the person asking. My plan is to select a few thought-provoking and practical questions, keep the asker & identifying details anonymous, and share my answers with all of you, at the end of each month. Let’s…