An Unexpected Visitor

"It couldn't be," I said to myself as I stepped into the crowded lobby of my freshman dorm. Over the clamor of college students discussing their weekend plans, I heard a song that only he knew.  "It couldn't be." I said again.  Earlier that year, my boyfriend from...

An Unexpected Pregnancy

The silence on the other end of the phone confirmed what my brain was still trying to process. Our life was about to change in ways we could never imagine.  "Are you still there?" I asked my husband. Before picking up the phone, he had been watching...

Winter Phone Wallpaper

In winter, the trees remind us to pause and be patient with the internal restoration necessary for new growth. During this season, may your choices be filled with restful intentionality, your heart focused on truth, and your life deeply rooted in hope! We hope you'll download...

Who Are You Grateful For?

Having woken from a bad dream, my child climbs into bed with me seeking comfort at 2am. I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept through the night without interruption, and I’ve got the dark circles to prove it. Thank you, Lord, for the gift of...

What needs to be pruned?

Taking the dog for a walk is part of my daily routine. Along our familiar route, a densely wooded property has been cleared and a new home is under construction. Where tall trees used to stand, new growth of small plants, previously unseen, now flourish...

By the river, I found peace

The water glistened and the leaves rustled in the wind. Sitting on a branch overlooking the river, I gazed at the stillness of what is typically a fast-flowing river. My heart longed to experience such peace.  A break from the turbulence and the pace of the world....

Have You Had Enough?

Adorned in her pink fluffy princess dress, my three-year-old climbs each step balancing her bag and dress as if she's the original sleeping beauty. The woman at the top of the stairs greets her with a smile acknowledging her royal cuteness.  "Trick-or-treat," my daughter says confidently.  The...

Are You Thirsty?

“They don’t belong here,” I thought to myself as I grabbed my broom and stormed towards my back door in frustration.  Bees and wasps swarmed my hummingbird feeder and, in the process, scared off the hummingbirds. It was not a wasp feeder. It was meant to...

No Way to Win the Race

My mind raced as the minutes rolled from night into early morning. Filled with thoughts of what could, should, or I wished would be, my brain blocked my body from its needed slumber. With only four hours of sleep, I began my day knowing that...