It’s just another day on the calendar for most people, but for me, July 31st will always be thought of as Daddy’s birthday! Since experiencing the loss of my dad several years ago, I’m realizing how the celebration of one’s life goes well beyond that person’s memorial service. In Matthew 5:4 we read: Blessed are…
Fearful, timid, uneasy, and panicked are words we don’t normally associate with childhood. Instead, we think of a child’s characteristics as fun-loving, peaceful, and brave. Every child goes through various stages in life where they explore, grow, and develop into who they are supposed to be. During this time, children are learning about themselves—their likes…
Think about this work situation: The commute is a mere thirty feet to your destination. You have your own private garage to park in. The dress code is of your choosing—yoga pants, t-shirts, or even a robe and house slippers! Also, you can take lunch breaks anytime, anywhere, and for any length of your choosing. Sound like a dream? Working remotely from home definitely…
“Throw me in the air again, Daddy!” You may remember making similar requests of your dad as you were growing up. There’s little argument that most dads interact differently than moms do with their children. Some of this relational time is through play; other is through communication efforts. But one thing stands out—dads do about everything differently when it comes to fathering.…
Think of a recent dreadful event that made headline news. What was your initial response to it? Did it create a sense of fear and hopelessness in you? Did it make you afraid to continue your normal daily processes—wondering if something bad would happen to you or your family members? Unfortunately, children often experience similar thoughts and feelings when tragedy strikes. Times…
When did you become acquainted with our friend, “It?” For me, it was sometime during college. It tends to linger in our thoughts for days, months, perhaps years. Long lines of traffic are the perfect time to think about it. Other days, it may sneak up on you during family conversations around the table. Regardless of the setting, many of us experience it at some…
Family Ministry is the latest buzz around churches these days, but what exactly does that mean? Of the descriptions I’ve heard over the past few years, my impression is that family ministry provides opportunities and “tools” to better equip parents in the spiritual education of their children. One of the main focal Scriptures in family ministry circles is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-9.…
Last week I shared my story of loss through miscarriage. My experience (both the physical and emotional part) of losing a baby gave me the passion to reach out to other women, so they are not suffering alone. Some things I personally learned through this loss: Grieving is complex We all have heard of the stages…
How’s your memory? Mine—not so great. It’s easy to remember big events in our lives such as: starting a new job, celebrating a birthday milestone, or a memorable vacation with family or friends. However, when it comes to the everyday, ordinary matters, most of us quickly forget the details. Sometimes it’s in the minutiae of the day-to-day…
The sadness of a mother with a broken heart cannot be compared to anything. It’s a kind of sorrow that cannot be explained unless you have experienced it. I remember waking the morning after we had found out our baby had unexpectedly died in my womb, and I wailed. It came from somewhere deep inside…