Looking back, grief should have been obvious, but its face stayed hidden from me as I struggled to forgive my offender. I did not realize that the first step towards forgiveness was to grieve over what had happened. In fact, I didn't realize that I was grieving until I was months into the struggle. Why we often miss grief as the first step in forgiving others: Who willingly signs up … [Read more...] about How To Acknowledge Your Grief First To Forgive Your Offender
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The (Almost) Perfect Crime
You and I have been the victims of the (almost) perfect crime. This morning I was reminded of this fact that we rarely realize as I drove one of my three teenagers to another town. Some of the best conversations happen unplanned while driving together. I am often surprised at what I can learn when we are inside those four doors on wheels with the road stretching out before … [Read more...] about The (Almost) Perfect Crime
Through the Fire
One cold November evening, when I was nine years old, our 73 year-old farmhouse caught fire due to a faulty oil space heater. Weather-beaten and aged, the house was completely engulfed in flames within twenty minutes. My father was away on a ministry trip in California thousands of miles away from our western Michigan home. My mother, sister, brother, and I escaped the flames with the clothes on … [Read more...] about Through the Fire
How To Survive Separation Anxiety The Right Way
I had read about separation anxiety in my parenting books, but how bad could it really be? My son was five months old and, frankly, I needed a full night's sleep! I was foolish enough then to think I was some super mom doing everything right because my son always seemed content. We were inseparable his first five months, mostly because I was scared to death something would happen to him if I … [Read more...] about How To Survive Separation Anxiety The Right Way
Some Good Thoughts to Ponder by Charles Spurgeon
I probably read something of Charles Spurgeon almost everyday. This man was called the Prince of Preachers and was a pastor of a megachurch in England in the mid nineteenth century long before the word megachurch was known. He suffered greatly with health and depression issues throughout his forty year ministry. I have rarely found in one person such sound theology and such a tender, empathetic … [Read more...] about Some Good Thoughts to Ponder by Charles Spurgeon
The Dark Night of the Soul
Why does God allow seasons in life where all we seem to sense is darkness? Gone are the days of easily finding His presence and comfort. Have you been there, my friend? Are you there right now? My husband and I have just come out of nine months of unemployment. Our sham of security wrapped up in Rob's job was shattered when his boss called him into his office and told him he could … [Read more...] about The Dark Night of the Soul
