Hope On The Road Less Traveled
Why are we surprised when trials come? Why do we quickly question God’s goodness, love, and control when we experience the pain of this world? For me, I think it’s because there is a pervasive belief that subtly infiltrates my thought life. One that, deep down, still believes God would keep me from harm and… Continue reading If God Really Loved Me, He Would…
“I’m thankful God that has sustained me, but sometimes I don’t want to just be sustained, I want to be delivered," I confessed to my husband. It’s difficult to admit such thoughts because as a Christian, I know that God is working in my trials and I do believe he has a purpose. But there… Continue reading Sustained in the Fire – A Miracle of God’s Grace
Trials and suffering in our lives can be anything from stretching to down right devastating. However, I think most people would probably agree that as painful as it is to endure suffering in our own lives, it can be even more painful to watch our children suffer. But in this world, suffer they will. Whether… Continue reading When Our Children Hurt – Hope for the Parent Grieving Their Child’s Pain
We were in crisis. The life-altering challenges of our child’s special needs were nothing new, but we’d reached a new level of desperation. We felt suffocated by the very air we breathed. Our prayers had grown weary, our hearts felt numb, and if there was ever a time we stood on the brink of despair—this… Continue reading Three Pitfalls When Life is Hard
Recently, we were discussing at Bible Study what it means to seek God‘s face, as it says in Psalm 27:8: “You have said, ‘Seek my face.’My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” As I listened, what struck me most was the importance of distinguishing between seeking God’s hand and seeking his… Continue reading Seek God’s Face Before You Seek His Hand
Tears and Tossings: Hope in the Waves of Life When suffering strikes (Sample Chapter - Chapter 1) I stirred uncomfortably in my seat, struggling to accept the reality that this chair had my name on it for a reason. I sat there quietly and listened as the group went around sharing their personal journey of sorrow,… Continue reading Do Our Tears Truly Matter?
Peace and joy begin with acceptance. It’s a phrase that God has often brought to mind during the past decade of near constant trials in our family. Between a daily battle with chronic illness, a debilitating injury, suffering children, financial woes, and the strain of caring for a loved one with mental illness, God’s been… Continue reading Peace in Acceptance
I have always loved the Christmas season and the many traditions that surround it. It’s a time of year that has always brought a familiar joy and excitement as we set up the tree, decorate the house, search for the perfect gifts, and spend time with family. This year, however, Christmas just isn’t the same.… Continue reading When Christmas is a Fresh Reminder of What’s Been Lost
I gave birth to my son with two anchors drawn on my feet. As my pregnant belly grew, so did my fear. This was my fourth baby, so I’d already read all the books and websites. I knew the practical realities of preparing to deliver a baby. I packed a bag. I made a birth… Continue reading Two Anchors for the Storms of Life
The walls felt like they were closing in around me. The air in the room grew heavy, and each breath I took stole every last ounce of my energy. With puffy eyes, a weary body, and an aching heart, I was desperate for an escape. Escape from a broken world, escape from a broken body,… Continue reading Learning Contentment in Unwanted Places
Set Apart 