A Prayer and a Purpose

"Lord, give us clarity and direction for the next step. We want more of you and less of us." Sitting silently around the kitchen table, Cari and I wait for an answer. This prayer is uttered from our mouths regularly, as our hearts yearn to only go...

Feeling drained? Try this instead…

Dashing across the parking lot, I ran into the building and slid into the room just as things were starting. Having risen early after a week of busy days and late nights, I had arrived at a local children's mission to volunteer for the day. If I'm honest, I...

Who brightens your day?

Feet trudging through the snowy slush, I made my way to the mailbox across the street. Newly married, living twelve hours from home with new jobs, my husband and I were also enduring the hardest winter in New England in thirty years.  I was surrounded by...

Hope in the Hard

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing," my husband quoted Psalm 23 as he dragged his tired body off the mattress. Up in the middle of the night for the third time to care for our sick son, he whispered as he trudged across the...

When the Fun-Meter is Empty

“I used to be fun." I remember saying this to a friend years ago. Caught in the everyday tasks of caring for young children, I felt bogged down by responsibility and incapable of having - or spreading - joy. Feeling like I was drowning in laundry,...

Do You Need Permission Today?

"I know you're juggling a lot, but Rosemary, it's okay to let some of the balls drop." My hands trembled and my eyes began to water as my friend of twenty-plus years continued. "Take care of the glass balls, like your kids, spouse, and work, but let...

Do Something for YOU Today

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I quickly turned from the teenagers at the table and shuffled to my room. No one was to blame, but me.  Shutting the door behind me, I fell onto the bed and let the tears fall. A harmless, off-handed remark released the...

Who is Setting the Standard?

Over the last few months, we've been sharing tips for how to navigate seasons of challenge by living intentionally and focusing eternally.  So far, we've shared the following. If you missed one, click the links to read more. Tip#1 - Say the Struggle Tip #2 - Take Your...

Don’t Miss the Moment

I need a breather.  Today is the last day of June, and the summer is flying by too fast. Just this past weekend… Two children and I came home from a four-day camp. My daughter’s friends visited for a two-day sleepover. We had Sunday morning responsibilities, a...