Baggage Check

After walking through a very difficult week, it was the final straw. “That’s it,” Roy began. “Take care of it now.” His tone took me by surprise. We’d had a really good day, and I was trying to take care of the issue he was confronting me with now. His words hit me hard as […]

For Better or Worse…

For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, ‘till death do we part… When we took those vows a little over six months ago, we never dreamed “or worse” would describe the first stage of our marriage. But it has. These last months have been filled with heartache and pain, […]

When You Don’t Get a Hollywood Ending: Three Lessons from the Movie I Can Only Imagine

I’ll never forget the first time I heard I Can Only Imagine. Our church’s youth group had just returned from a Texas youth event where a new band had sung their debut song. It so impacted our youth and workers that they came back and played the song for us. Now, the story behind the […]

The God Who Disappoints

How does one reconcile this life’s journey with the God we read about in the Bible? How do we reconcile the God who hears with a life that seems void of God’s presence? How do we reconcile the God who sees with a life filled with untold pain? How do we reconcile the God who […]

The School of Contentment

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I […]

Happily Ever After

…and they lived happily ever after. I’m not sure who dreamed up this phrase, but they certainly aren’t familiar with real life. I’ve always been brutally honest with all of you. And here’s the brutal honest truth: Blending two families into one is not for the faint of heart. Don’t get me wrong. I love […]

Today, I Choose

My heart has been shattered into a million tiny fragments over and over the last few weeks. I’ve watched so much pain in this community, in my own home. I’ve shed thousands of tears, unable to control my own emotions. I’ve rallied all of my strength to fight for my child, to do what’s best […]

In Loving Memory

When I was walking through my divorce, I remember that moment of surrender. “Lord,” I cried out, “I don’t want this journey, but I will take it if this is what you have for me. But don’t you dare mess with my kids!” I’ve dealt with my share of hurt and pain over the last […]

Practical Advice for Divorce

Divorce. The word alone strikes fear into the heart of people. Maybe you lived through your parents’ divorce. Maybe you watched friends’ marriages suffer the ultimate destruction. Maybe you’ve walked that dreaded path…or you fear your marriage is heading down that road now. I’m not sure there’s another pain in this life that compares to […]

A New Perspective

The last year has been hard…really, really hard. Exactly one year ago, I received a call that my ex-husband had passed away suddenly. Telling my children that their dad was dead ranks right up there with the most difficult moments of my life. Watching them grieve and mourn. Sending them off to bury their dad. […]