My seven-year-old is a natural athlete. Whatever he attempts, he does well. And Avry wanted to learn to surf like the kids on YouTube. My husband is a radical cheerleader when it comes to his children, and so he bought a thick, short surfboard. Avry carried the board down to the surf, full of excitement, certain he'd look like those young surfers on YouTube in just a matter of moments. He strutted ... View Post
Be the First
Do you sometimes feel invisible? Have you stood in the hallway of church, work or a social event and felt your heart harden as women walk right past? Have you seen a friend and suddenly you feel like you're both strangers? Have you ever felt like if it weren't you reaching out, you'd never be invited to anything? Have you wondered why you're like teflon for friendships? I have thought and felt ... View Post
The Gift of Faith (How to Receive It)
After Noah’s injury as an infant, seizures ravaged his body for over a year. On his worst day he had 32; I remember not only because it was the highest number we’d seen but because the day before had been nearly perfect as we let him splash in the kiddie pool for the first time. After nearly a dozen medications failed him, desperation pushed us into action, and we started Noah on the Ketogenic ... View Post
Faith to Pray (When You’re Not Sure Your Have It)
I gave birth to the most perfect, pink barrel-chested baby almost nine years ago. The doctor called me a rock star for lasting past 9 CM for my epidural. (Natural child birthers and other Wonder Womans, please give this win to me.) Four months later I dropped him off at daycare and kissed that precious face goodbye, walking into the drizzle of a gray April morning. The next time I saw my son he ... View Post
Breathing Lessons: Hope When You’ve Lost It
Last night my seven-year-old son, Avry, couldn’t find his breathing medicine (his inhaler and spacer). It’s a daily struggle for him, even though we’ve given him his own container for it and a storage place in the family room. But he’s seven, and sometimes he’s acts like it. By losing things. We were late for bed so I added a few comments like, “How can I trust you if you can’t take care of it?” ... View Post
The Summer of Sadness: A Hope for the Brokenhearted
Sometimes, in the midst of what should be holiday joy, we feel bound up by sadness. And scrolling through social media to see giant red, white, and blue hair bows; coordinating family portraits; and smiles bright like fireworks can make us feel as though our toes are sifting through ashes instead of beaches. If that is you, friend, I have been there. As I’m immersed in writing my memoir about ... View Post
When You Don’t Think You Can Be Mom Anymore: Seeking Rest in the Weary
“I think the Holy Spirit has left me,” I texted to my best friend late one night after getting my kids into bed. I’d lost my patience with them throughout the evening as they fought over who was more stupid, who really had Jesus in their heart, who made the mess, who loves the dog more, who the dog loves more, who peed on the toilet, who’s driving mom crazier (it was a draw) – you get the idea. ... View Post
Traces of Grace: How What We See Shapes How We Believe
“Do you know all your letters?” the nurse asked Noah in the hallway at the pediatrician. “Yes,” he said enthusiastically, and then he began to sing his ABC’s. She interrupted him, pointing again at the vision chart. She wanted him to identify the letters on the wall. In his defense, she hadn’t made that clear. After the vision test was complete, the nurse looked at me with concern and said, ... View Post
Holy Land Highlights: Where Was Jesus?
Three weeks ago, in a hot parking lot outside a Virginia Chuck E. Cheese, my husband and I stood in a circle, prayed over our two boys, said our goodbyes, and prepared our hearts for the trip of a lifetime. I cried the whole way to the airport, took a break as we went through airport security, and then continued with the water works until shortly before our flight took off. In the previous ... View Post