Truth from the Trenches: Choosing Joy Again (and again, and again)

This past Wednesday Addison had another neurosurgeon appointment.  It was in Lubbock, some two hours down the road – four hours round-trip.  And, as I was driving to and from, I was thinking.  I do some of my best thinking in the car, actually, although almost none of it makes it anywhere useful because I have a raging case of forgetfulness going on.

Truth from the Trenches: God's Goodness {Alternately Titled: First Epilepsy Anniversary}

Come What May: On Bullies & God's Redemptive Way

Our stories die with us unless we write them down. 

There have been a few things in our life that have sort of defined us.  When I was in first grade, I met my first bully.  A burly, sorta strewn about, mostly dirt-covered, sandy-blonde second grader named Anson.  He wore stained striped shirts and tattered denim jeans every day.  As is characteristic of bullies, Anson picked on me.  He pushed me in the recess line, jumped on the snow-fort my friends and I had built, and pulled my hair.  He’s the reason my front left tooth got broken.  He picked on other kids, too.  His list of offenses piled high…he took other kids’ lunches, put his mouth on the water fountain, and spit gum into someone’s hair.  He jumped off the teeter totter letting kids plummet to the ground.  One time, he smeared ketchup all over the bathroom.  He got in big trouble for that.  And as they scolded him, I remember seeing huge alligator tears pouring down his cheeks.  He left at semester’s end and didn’t come back after Christmas. 

Spilled Milk of Spiritual Proportions: On Parenthood, Holy Practice, & Obedience

The Backstory:

We already had all three children.  Addison was just a teensy-weensy two-month old but between her and the jealous 16-month old brother, his persistent reflux, and a husband who worked out-of-state most days, my sanity was beginning to wane.  I posted some flaky meme and a half-hearted cry for help on social media and I promptly received the following encouragement: “Do the next thing.” –Elisabeth Elliot

Huh?  What am I supposed to do with that?

We Must Think Truth

I once wrote a post and called it About Me, even though No. 17 would have been a better title.  In it, I explained the power of words.  It’s true, isn’t it?  That words have power…  Because they do, ya’ know.  You believe it too, if you’re part of this, the “being redeemed.”   That yes, Christ has power, the cross has power, Christ on the cross has power.  And yet, the Word also says, that the message of the cross…that is, the gospel, has power. 

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As parents, when the natural progression of life occurs we are flung straight from toddlerdom to the realm of adolescence…surprisingly, these two age-groups aren’t all that different.  This is something one of my dearest friends, Cassandra “KC” Smallwood knows all about.  A phenomenal writer, an unwavering faithful friend, and someone with a personality as sweet as the South’s tea, it’s a grace to be able to welcome KC to the blog today.

Showing Up, Especially Today, On A Day Without Women

Here’s to strong women! 

Like most ladies, I have two jobs.  One outside the home where I work part time with and for children in foster care.  My other position, though, goes hand-in-hand with my role as wife, momma, and homemaker.

There's No Way Out But Through: When you're longing for the end to be in sight...

One year ago today…

Truth from the Trenches: On Wilderness & Meeting Him Way Out There

If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble?  If a calamity occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?    -Amos 3:6

2017 - Let Us Pray Until...

As I peer into the coming year, I feel compelled to draw a circle around us – our home, our church, our city, our state, our nation … and pray until.  On this, the final day of two-thousand and sixteen with the dawn of a brand new year upon us, can I be so bold as to urge you, too, to do the same?  Draw a circle of your own and then pray for everything in it…and pray until.

My Parenting Memoir, Please don't lick ______________. (Alternately Titled: I Might Regret Posting This Later)

I heard something said yesterday at church.  In context, the person was speaking about now that you know Jesus, "how then will you live?"  I liked that.  It was good.  Contemplative even.  But then I got to thinking...in the context of child rearing, how then will you live?  

Truth from the Trenches: Resting in the Waiting

Somedays I wake up plumb exhausted.  I mean, before I’ve even rolled out of bed, I can feel it.  The truth is, it isn’t simply body-tired…it’s that my heart is tired.  My soul is weary.

Maybe you’ve been here too?