Good morning... Up in the middle of night's darkness, I wonder, "God, where do we begin praying for loved ones facing death, divorce, depression?" I pull out a poem we received at this weekend's retreat at Ignatius House, and I whisper it out loud on behalf of all who are in pain, dear ones hurting deeply. ****** “Beloved [...]
Good morning... Loss. Surgery. Rehab. Divorce. Caretaking. Health challenges. Alzheimers. Addiction. Heartbreak. Many of us are facing many hard things. "I am claiming these words these next days," one friend wrote to our Sunday afternoon class. "If you are betwixt, if you are between, if you are in the midst and the middle and the muck, if you [...]
Good morning... During the dark night of our soul, we slow down to simplify everything. Do not chase. Simply bloom. Stay rooted in Christ. Grow in grace. Trust God's timing. What belongs, He will bring. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through [...]
Good morning... After four years of infertility and four miscarriages, this picture was taken just minutes after our first son Kyler was born thirty-one years ago. We see the blood, his gasp for breath, the total admiration in my face. Giving birth is risky, very very risky. Every time a baby is born, an awesome, terrifying miracle takes [...]
Good morning... "When a child is born, so is a grandmother," wrote a longtime friend when our first grandson arrived. I was thinking about this statement when I opened the following email. A regular reader wrote these touching words after our blog Nothing Like A Newborn. She gave me her permission to share her story with you. "Beautiful [...]
Good morning... After yesterday's post, Stoop Down. Reach Out., a friend texted me immediately: "Oh my goodness!!!! I'm so sad over here. When do you go downtown for group? I can send a zucchini bread for Mike Mike! (The same delicious zucchini bread she made our friend's 80th birthday party last Thursday.) Maybe if you go to drop [...]
Good morning... On Sunday afternoon, I picked up our new golden retriever puppy, and brought her home to meet our family. My husband Steve is walking the Camino in Spain, (and the Camino was the first trip we shared as a couple as he started his new job leading adult trips), so we have decided to name our [...]
Good morning... "I saw this clip and it really resonated with me so I thought I'd share," wrote a friend from Florida yesterday. "Through grief I have found the deepest blessing and comfort in the love and laughter shared with friends. I think this is so true and a perspective to seek and focus on in trials, surrounding [...]
Good morning... When we feel snapped in half by the storms of life, the light of our living LORD continues to rise each morning and to set each night. At every time and in every place— from the moment the sun rises to the moment the sun sets— may the name of the Eternal be high in the hearts of His people (Psalm 113:3, [...]
Good morning... Our dog Tate came to us from Adopt-a-Golden at eight weeks old. That was nine years ago this month. At the time, our youngest son had just gotten his driver's permit, our youngest daughter was finishing her junior year in high school, and our oldest two were in college, one finishing her freshman year at Ole [...]
