My mother had a saying when I was little. “…this side of heaven.” She used it when unforeseen things happened…tragedies that begged for explanation when none was available. She would simply say, “We aren’t meant to understand it this side of heaven.” As a child I never understood that phrase. It often times was told…
Have you ever received the dreaded phone call? The unexpected one that knocks the breath out of you? Mine came on December 23rd, 2006. I was out doing some last minute Christmas shopping and either my Dad or brother called and said I needed to get home immediately. You heard the sadness in their tone,…
It was a hot day, not a cloud in sight. My feet continued to pound down on the dirty ground below me. I was hot, tired and ready to throw in the towel. But that wasn’t a possibility as I was running my first big cross country race my sophomore year of high school. I…
Change…nobody really likes it. Sure it can be exciting, but the unknown is always that…unknown. It’s scary because we can’t see what is coming, which requires trust. That’s why God allows us to experience it. We aren’t trusting when we can see, when we know the outcome. God has to get us to a place…
When I think of the fall season, I think of pumpkins, leaves, hay rides and mums. I think about getting to wear scarves and sweaters and fuzzy socks. And do not forget this is the time of year when everything smells like pumpkin spice. Have you ever thought about what the purpose of fall is?…
Summer is coming to an end and Autumn is just around the corner and I can already see the changes coming. There was a gentle rain last evening and I awoke to dead leaves scattered on my lawn. Fresh tomatoes so abundantly available in June and July are long gone and their vines are withering…
A Fresh Start can be defined as an opportunity to start over without prejudice; a clean slate, a chance, a new opportunity. Where are you on your life journey? Are you tired of the same day-to-day routine and you want something new? Do you need a vacation to clear your mind? Or have you found yourself in…
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV There are times we need to edit our lives, just like editing a work of writing. My story is still being written, and I need to revise and…
What comes to mind when you hear summertime? For me, late nights, swimming, laughter, fun activities, and ice cream are just a few things. Summer is my favorite as it means we aren’t on such a set schedule and I can have the kids home with me. I LOVE…
There have been many times over the past couple of years I have wanted a new start. Whether it was a new start to a friendship that had gone wrong, a new start at a career I felt like I was failing at, or a new start in a conversation that seemed to only end…