I don’t remember where we first heard of the concept of a “Worry Box,” but it was an apt analogy for the worrying tendencies around our home. While I’m typically an optimist—always hopeful and looking on the bright side—my husband balances me out with his concern over things that could go wrong.
Read MoreHow do I begin to describe the past ten days? When you lose a loved one, everything about your normal life stops, even as the rest of the world keeps spinning around you.
On Thursday, April 10, my dear mother-in-law, Joyce, went to be with Jesus.
Read MoreEach person we encounter possesses a life and past we cannot see at first glance. They carry pain and sadness, worry and stress. Hopefully, they also carry love, joy, and some happiness. But how can we know? We can’t walk in their shoes.
Read MoreAfter a busy “hump day” at work, I hustle off to church with my family for one of the most somber days on the church calendar—Ash Wednesday. As if our never-ending Midwest winter isn’t depressing enough, the church summons us to a mid-week service reminding us of our mortality in ten words.
Read MoreIt was the night before the U.S. election, and I couldn’t sleep. My mind turned over the possible outcomes and scenarios to the point of exhaustion. Would my candidate win? What if they didn’t? Would the world as we know it fall apart? I prayed.
Read MoreOur summer cabin in Northern Minnesota has presented many unexpected challenges, most having to do with plumbing. But one challenge we didn’t foresee was finding a summer church home.
Read MoreBut life isn’t perfect. And not accepting life’s imperfections will bring angst. Whereas holding on loosely to the worries of this world offers peace.
Read MoreIt’s mid-May, and I’ve returned to Northern Minnesota where my husband and I, approaching retirement, spend much of our summers. One of our favorite pastimes up north is riding bikes on the nearby trails, and I’m excited for my first ride of the year.
Read MoreWhen our first grandson entered the world two months into a global pandemic, my husband—now a “Papa”—and I were in awe of this eight-and-a-half-pound miracle, as were his parents and our other three adult children. On our first visit, while wearing masks and visiting outside under a canopy, we put our worries of the world aside and gave thanks for this gift from God.
Read MoreThings get better. Things get worse. In seven years, many things can change. Despite global pandemics, wars and rumors of war, contentious elections, devastating earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires…our planet keeps spinning and circling and predictably falling in line with its moon and the sun at exactly the moment it's supposed to. I find that pretty miraculous!
Read MoreIn memory of my parents and the courage with which they faced a devastating diagnosis, I’m resharing a story I wrote for The Banner magazine in 2020. These events took place almost ten years ago, but it seems like yesterday. I can still picture my parents’ boat slowly submerging, and remember feeling helpless as I looked on from a distance.
Read MoreHave you heard the buzz about the New York Times game, Connections? Are you a slave to solving this daily puzzle, sometimes as soon as it’s available after midnight? (Not that I would know anyone like that! 😉)
Read MoreWhether you watch it for the game or the commercials (or to spot Taylor Swift 🧐 😂), whether you’re a Chiefs or 49ers fan (or a “who cares?” 🤷♀️ Lions fan like me), you’re probably aware that Super Bowl Sunday in America is near.
Read MoreA tiny taste of Lent through the Little Things, to whet your appetite.
Read MoreJesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and as Christians, we take it to heart. We instill the value in our kids, especially at Christmastime when messages of greed bombard us. And we pride ourselves in our cheerful and generous giving.
Read MorePumpkins on the front porch are rotting. Thanksgiving leftovers are almost gone. It’s time to crawl into the storage closet under the stairs and bring out our Christmas decorations. As is our annual habit, we replace our normal decor with festive trimmings.
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