Living Graceful When Growth is Hard

Living Graceful When Growth is Hard

I’ve had growth and change on my mind this week. This quote from Rick Warren is one I can say I’ve experienced. “There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and no loss without pain.” The question that seems to glare at us is, why is pain a part of growth? I don’t know about you, but I tend to make changes when my circumstances become painful. Don’t you wish we…

God’s Intentions for You Will Prevail

God’s Intentions for You Will Prevail

When the nurses asked me if I wanted to know the sex of our baby, I said no. As I look back on that choice, I’m a bit surprised at my answer. I’m all about knowing. Planning. Trying to answer all the questions that might arise. The joy of a baby overrode my curiosity. Either answer was a good one. The sex of our baby brought no anxiety or fear. When Jochebed discovered the sex…

Recognizing Faithfulness When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Recognizing Faithfulness When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

I’m a sister. Protective (and maybe a little bossy) describes me. I feel a kinship with Martha and Mary. Their brother Lazarus was sick, and he needed his dear friend, Jesus. The sisters sent word for Him to come. They waited. And waited. And waited. By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany to help, they had sat at the sick bed and then the death bed of their brother for several days. Talk about life…

Discovering Peace When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Discovering Peace When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

I had a thousand questions, but most could be summed up in two words, “Why? How?” My life had settled into a comfortable flow, like a lazy river, gently swirling around in an expected path. Then my lazy river started churning like the Mississippi River after spring thaw. During tumultuous times, we feel discombobulated. As Christians, we know God is always watching, providing, and helping us course-correct. But sometimes, we wonder why the Holy Spirit…