“As each part does its work.” Why is that the hard part? One of the things that often stops me from sharing my story through writing is the thought that I have nothing inspired or original to say. My story is similar to many others, why does anyone want to hear what I have to…
Pathways and rivers – Trusting God through the wilderness of a new diagnosis
September 2016. I answered a phone call from my son’s specialist while walking into work. I heard the words, “chromosomal syndrome” and “22q11.2 deletion,” and it felt like my world literally shook. I literally had to sit down in an empty waiting room of the hospital where I worked at the time. Over the next…
I Heard You Today
I heard you today Yaweh In the morning, in the still I lay I heard you today Yaweh After breakfast, when rowdy kids play I heard you today Yaweh I wrote my heart, gave it the words it needed to say And I heard you today Yaweh A brief rest, a quiet moment, don’t forget…
There’s always a BUT”
(I know, that title. Hear me out. I kinda liked the title, anyway.) 2 Corinthians is one of my favorite books in the Bible. I love Paul’s writings, first of all. He is always so persuasive, so direct, so genuine. Strong in his faith, loving toward others, but never subservient or weak. But 2 Corinthians…
Say yes
Recently, I had knee surgery to reconstruct my ACL, a ligament in my knee. This is the second time I’ve had to have this surgery. I prayed I was wrong, but that tell-tale sickening pop in my knee told me otherwise. My knee would need some major help. Again. But once surgery became the official…
Why we all need grace (and how to give it)
I had a conversation with a very good friend the other day. She is also a parent of a child with special needs. We were sharing stories, encouraging each other just by the common bond that is special needs. There are things that only caregivers of people with special needs can know. We mourn the…
How Jesus dealt with anxiety (and how we can follow him in this, too)
“Jesus understands everything you’re going through.” “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15 Anyone ever read that and think, “Yeaaahh, but not ____” or “But my situation did not happen back then”…
Grace, space and community – How to move towards God in the midst of pain
I’ve never dealt well with difficult news. Lately, I’m processing a potential new diagnosis for my son. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with ADHD. That’s been its own journey, but new doctors and experiences have led us to question if he is on the autism spectrum. We’re currently in the thick of the diagnosis…
The Cure for Mindless Busyness
My wiggly 6-year-old lopes into the room. He can’t even walk without being wiggly, somehow. He told me he’d brushed his teeth, like I’d asked. I thanked him. He nodded in response, turned around and shoved at a stack of books on our end table, knocking two of them on the floor. He watched them…
Knit together – When you need a reminder that your hot mess is full of purpose
Psalm 139:13-14: “For You formed my inward parts. You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works, my soul knows it very well.” Wonderful are your works. I have prayed these verses when trying to understand and trust that my issues, my…