“But that isn't right. The King of Beasts shouldn't be a coward,'" said the Scarecrow. 'I know it,' returned the Lion, wiping a tear from his eye with the tip of his tail. 'It is my great sorrow, and makes my life very unhappy. But whenever there is danger, my heart begins to beat fast.'… Continue reading Living a Life of Courageous Faith
Category: Encouragement
In the Gray
Every crossroads beckons a decision. Every decision will have consequences. Every consequence will not only affect us, but many times, other people. I've just walked through a season of decision making in one area of my life. I'm about to enter another. It was stressful. It was exhausting. It can take a toll. But… Continue reading In the Gray
The Pathway of Anticipated Loss
As I write this today, I still have a mother. A mom who is on her feet, cooking, decorating and loving her husband of nearly 50 years. I also have a mom who travels from doctor's appointment to doctor's appointment, needs help bathing, has shrunk five inches in the last two years and has a… Continue reading The Pathway of Anticipated Loss
When Your Feelings Try to Be the Boss of You
"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist..." Ephesians 6:14a truth noun the truth : the real facts about something : the things that are true : the quality or state of being true : a statement or idea that is true or accepted as true My feelings are trying to hijack my life. It's as if my… Continue reading When Your Feelings Try to Be the Boss of You
Dear Mama of a Strong-Willed Child,
" He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:29-31 Honesty… Continue reading Dear Mama of a Strong-Willed Child,
Staying the Course in Spite of the Cramps
Both of my children have birthdays this season and every year about this time I go back and recollect the memories of the labor pains it took to birth them. I find myself reminiscing about how big I was as I approached the impending due dates. How I felt, what I looked like, how I… Continue reading Staying the Course in Spite of the Cramps
Resting Shouldn’t Be This Hard
Driving home the other day from work, I could hardly keep my eyes open. The week was coming to an end and the days of an alarm clock buzzing in the dark were catching up with me. I contemplated whether I would come in and make myself a tall iced coffee...or stretch out across my… Continue reading Resting Shouldn’t Be This Hard
Remaining Hopeful When You Feel Helpless
There is no greater fear than when it seems all hope is lost. Have you ever felt this way? Hopeless? John Maxwell has an acronym for hope... "Holding On, Praying Expectantly" When we are holding on to hope, we are waiting...and waiting...and waiting... That holding on part can be tough. I picture myself standing in… Continue reading Remaining Hopeful When You Feel Helpless
Finding Strength When You Feel Shaky
As we sat in the snow covered cemetery under a big flapping tent in folding metal chairs, I watched as her hand gingerly reach over to brace herself on the nearby headstone. She used it as leverage to push herself up out of her chair, into the cold wind, and stand to speak. My mom.… Continue reading Finding Strength When You Feel Shaky
Parenting Pre-Schoolers
We Weren't Meant To Do It Alone "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." James 1:5 "What in the world were you thinking?" This was a staple of my prayer life when my children were young. Yes, I… Continue reading Parenting Pre-Schoolers
Simple Faith 