Navigating life with faith, hope, and celebration
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
It was that time of year again…
Fall.
It seemed like summer was going to hang around forever; but the weather outside and the date on my calendar were finally in sync. Cooler weather arrived, just in time, on the first day of autumn.
Continue reading “Seasonal Shift”
“Hurry up and get changed. We were supposed to be there 15 minutes ago!”
There was never enough time…
“I’m sorry. I can’t read two stories tonight. Pick your favorite. I have laundry and I have to mop the floor”.
I was stretched way too thin …
“Tomorrow I am going to do better. Tomorrow I am not going to yell. Tomorrow I am going to be prepared so things aren’t as hectic.”
So many broken promises …
Continue reading “A Serving of Grace”
Continue reading “Guest Post: My Dad & I, by Joni Leimgruber”
Be joyful in hope,
Patient in affliction,
Faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12, NIV
I love that verse.
It is an instruction manual for navigating through difficult times. Even during our darkest hours; when we have faith, we have hope.
Set your mind on things above.
And even in the midst of our trials; with hope, comes joy.
Count it all as joy.
Continue reading “Creating Hope and Shining Light”
We took a trip to Lake Erie this weekend, squeezing the last drops out of our fleeting summer. My kids were older now and invited friends along for the trip. They took a break from the water to build in the sand. I watched them from my beach chair, working together to dig a deep hole and build a moat around it. Their structures were more sophisticated these days. My daughter was nearing 13 and I was surprised that she readily joined in building with her brother and their friends. She didn’t enjoy doing much other than hanging out in her room these days.
“Look, Mom, …” my daughter said happily waving to get my attention and then pointing to the wall she built. I smiled and told her it looked great and commended them all on their awesome job. I looked at my daughter. That familiar quiet smile momentarily flashed across her face, the one that made her eyes light up; then she looked away, but not so quickly that I missed it … Continue reading “Look, Mom”
The clouds were thick and heavy when I went outside to go for a walk, but I chose to go ahead. The rainy, dreary day matched my mood, and misery loves company, right? I considered staying close to the house, just in case those clouds dumped out all the rain they were holding inside, like the emotions I was holding in my heart. Still, I chose my usual walk through the neighborhood. Looking up at the swirling gray ceiling above me, I sent a quick text to my husband.
“If it starts pouring, can you come get me?”
In less than a minute, I got a reply,
“Yep”
In the morning, Lord, You hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait expectantly.
(Psalm 5:3 NIV)
Open eyes to sun-soaked room
Sleepy stretch and stir awake
Feet touch down upon the floor
First steps prepare to take
Before I stand Continue reading “Morning Walk”
