Has it ever hit you how timely, precise and resourceful God is? And not ‘cause He needs any help. (After all, He can think a thing into existence or occurrence if He so willed.) Nope, he uses resources – particularly human resources – to awe and humble us, and embolden and empower us – for the glory He's designed you to reflect. Looking back, God meticulously placed several Christians in my life just so. He introduced (or reintroduced) them at different times, in different circumstances, for different reasons - each time manifesting His nearness, sovereignty and steadfast love for me. And … [Read more...]
What a 5-Year-Old Can Teach Us About Grace and Mercy
Our youngest may just be the most rambunctious, tenacious, fearless and independent 5-year-old ever to have been born. (Ask the neighbors, relatives, teachers and coaches.) Affectionate, entertaining and lovable as can be, But wild and free to the Nth degree. Try to steer him this way or reason with him that way – you will see. (But wait. Does the apple not fall far from the tree?) So it took Son several months to get into a good (or acceptable) groove in transitional kindergarten, meet (most of) his teacher’s behavioral expectations, and dare I hope, even earn her good graces. But just … [Read more...]
Life: Is it Gonna Make You or Break You?
They say the most stressful things in life are moving, getting married, having a baby, changing jobs, losing a job, getting separated/divorced, losing a spouse or loved one, or falling ill or disabled. And you know that list ain't all of it. What's even worse is when these big game changers hit multiples at a time, or one after another with no rest in-between. So. What do all these high stress generators have in common? They're all major life Changes. Transitions. Turning points. Rites of passage. Bombs (unexpected or even expected). Not easy. Even when they’re good or happy changes -- … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary, Honey.
Once upon a time, just two weeks into dating, a man said to a woman, "I hope this doesn't sound strange or doesn't scare you off, but I think you're the one I've been praying for my whole life." Then something even crazier happened. The woman replied, "You know, strangely, it doesn't. Actually, I feel the same way about you." And the rest was history. The foolish young couple had a fast and furious romance, hastily planned and had a wedding, got pregnant after one year of marriage, had a baby, bought a house, had a second child a year after that, and a third another few years after that. They … [Read more...]
Valentine’s Day, My First Love and No Coincidences
As I wake this Hallmark holiday morning, when many will soon be celebrating “the one” who holds their heart, I lay still in the dark, reflecting on the love of my life. And my heart feels happily heavy. My thoughts are on God. Because His outpouring of love on us, each His purposefully unique creation - when finally recognized - is overwhelming, life-transforming. No other love tastes so heavenly, fills so fully, or heals so completely. How can I know? I’ve chased it elsewhere and learned it the hard way. So, as wonderful as my husband is, my thoughts turn first to my first love. Of course, … [Read more...]
Life Is Like an Onion
As 2015 draws to a close, I am reminded of Momma's famous line from "Forrest Gump": Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." But if I were to come up with some proverbial life-food analogy of my own, I’d say, “Life is like an onion.” If lived well, its many layers get peeled away slowly, gently, timely…just one leaf at a time. A few tears will be shed, and a few surprises – perhaps some bruising inside – may be discovered along the way. Even so, a good onion, after surviving some heat, will ultimately be sweet, not bitter, spicy, or sour. When I look back at my … [Read more...]
Indecision and Faith to the Rescue
My journal entry this morning: I am grateful for the Word and all its truths. I hardly slept a wink last night, tossing and turning, checking the clock every other hour, robbed of peace. We made offers on two homes this week - one on a newer, spacious, practical house about which I did not have a good/peaceful feeling, the other on a smaller, older, charming house I liked instantly but fear we might outgrow before the kids are grown. We are in waiting mode. Our trusty and hardworking realtor (who's shown me about 50 homes throughout four neighboring cities) may have had it with me. … [Read more...]
Parenting, Hypocrisy and Redos
God hasn't been letting me get away with much of anything lately. As un-fun as it is to be "called out" every other day, I'm glad of it. 'Cause I know that Someone infinitely greater and worthier than I has enough interest in me to be working hard on developing my character. Clearly, this Someone is super (or shall we say supernaturally?) ambitious, and patient, to take Project Anita on. One thing He's calling me to do is to have more compassion and love for the people I find the most difficult, hurtful, irritating, or sometimes enviable, the ones I'd rather avoid or who avoid me, the ones … [Read more...]