One Simple Thing We Need
Last night I consider what a wise mentor once told me: “Sometimes your most spiritual activity might just be taking a nap.” I’m so tired I feel sick. I’m so tired my head hurts and everything in the world seems wrong and terrible and nothing will ever feel right again. I hate everything, and my […]
Go Find the Brokenhearted
This morning, I’m speaking to a group of 1,000 people about how I encounter God. As I pray about what to report, one phrase resonates over and over again. In my sleep, in my waking thoughts, and in my attempts at writing, the same phrase erupts: Go find the brokenhearted. Bring them to the throne […]
You’ll Make It
Today, my youngest daughter and I float petals in the creek. She loves to launch a flower where the creek begins and watch it find its way to where the creek flows off into some grand distance she cannot see. We root and cheer for the little petal as it braves rocks, sticks, swirling eddies, […]
When You Just Can’t Contain God
I’m speaking at a conference this week for 30 minutes on the topic of how I encounter God. I’m finding I cannot possibly narrow the topic down to 30 minutes. I could speak for hours! I could teach for days upon days about every moment of surrender, every beautiful instance of suffering, every story of […]
Graceful Adulthood
Whenever I return to my husband’s little hometown of Fuquay-Varina, NC, I’m always amazed that people actually do grow up. The little children who once ran down the aisle for children’s church now hang back and talk about politics and sports. The young girls who once tugged on my sleeve announce college acceptances. The high […]
My Christmas Debacle
I’m at a Christmas Eve party in an unfamiliar home, and I go upstairs to find my daughters to alert them we’re heading home. All the children play a nice, quiet game in a room behind a closed door. I gently open the door, but I don’t know there’s a step to go down into […]
We Have a Problem
My youngest daughter receives magnetic earrings from Grandma to pretend as if those little ears are really pierced. The magnet jewel sits on top of the earlobe, and a powerful magnet backing goes behind her ear to hold the earring in place. In theory, this works. However, we quickly realize that strong magnets latch onto […]
Another Dimension
This morning at grandpa’s house, I take a moment to read a pop-up book by Robert Sabuda, the paper engineering genius. I marvel over the intricate designs and how, when you turn a page, an entire world unfolds in another dimension. The book enters the room, right upon my lap. Why haven’t I found these […]
A Great Christmas Verb
This morning, I realize that Christmas delights. Delight (as a noun) means great pleasure and joy, and (as a verb) it means to both give and receive such joy. I delight in your company! Your company delights me! You are a delight! At Christmastime, I recall the Lord’s great delight in us. Psalm 18 says: […]
3 Ways to Be a Christmas Blessing
As we gather to see friends and family this weekend, I wonder how we might be a true blessing. I’ve spent too many holidays easily offended, moody, exhausted, irritable, judgmental, and negative. I’ve spent too many holidays thinking of myself and my own needs. Since action flows from belief, I’ve fashioned 3 tips to help […]