February 1976. New York City. Most of my friends know the story of how a transplanted New Yorker became a southern girl—after twelve impressionable years living in one of the largest cites in the world.
Read moreThe Heart of Hope
Category: parenting
My Son, the Daddy
Isolation during the pandemic has been stressful, to say the least. Some of us are totally alone, since we have no family in the house with us. Others feel trapped at home with energetic or
Read moreFinding Wisdom and Strength in the Love of the Father
Wisdom, strength, and what? It’s hard to believe the mid-point of 2020 is fast approaching. Without a doubt, people from all walks of life will one day say this was one of those historical years
Read moreA long line of strong women
I find myself perched in the perfect spot on the timeline of my life. I can finally let go of any perceived letdowns or guilt of the past, and fully embrace the future with whatever energy I can muster up. I’m well past the midpoint, I’m sure.
Read moresurviving or thriving on a socially distant mother’s day
A socially distant Mother’s Day? While on a recent video meeting, I found myself reminiscing with one of my sons about the Mother’s Day gardens we sowed, games we played, and the stories we shared.
Read moreBe Gentle
Now that we are all (or almost all) hunkered down to protect ourselves and each other from the pandemic, let’s rethink our relationships. And what do our relationships there look like? Most of our personal
Read moreDelighting in obedience
One of the repeated themes in the biblical book of Proverbs is the concept of discipline. A fool despises his father’s discipline, but a person who accepts correction is sensible. — Proverbs 15:5 (CSB). Anyone
Read moreGrace for the Growing Pains
My storage closet was the unlikely location for God to offer grace for the current growing pains of parenting. But there among the Christmas décor and old high school yearbooks, God whispered to my aching
Read moreThe warmth of winter and all its wonders
Stories by the fireside… We didn’t have a fireplace in our New York City apartment, although my dad continued his fireside storytelling tradition throughout the winter months—minus the crackling fire of course. I remember many
Read moreKeeping Christmas Merry and Holy
How can parents maximize holiday experiences to pass on spiritual truths to their families? December offers times ripe for talking about the Lord. The original derivation of the word holiday comes from the words holy
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