devotionals
Said No One, Ever
When I use my GPS I need to follow the step-by-step directions. (Full confession: I am directionally challenged. I once got lost driving from CA to AZ and accidentally drove to Mexico-story for another day). Sometimes, however, instead of the map being so zoomed in I want to know more generally where I am going….
Bench Warmer
Have you ever felt like you were in a season of sitting on the bench? I grew up playing soccer all the way up and through a division 1 collegiate career. Bench warmer was not a position I wanted. Put me in coach, like now. I wanted to be IN the game because I felt…
Store Up Your Word in my Heart
At the nursing home where I work, we took a bus trip this summer with some residents. Two ladies sat next to each other. We grabbed some DQ blizzards and drove through some historic sites and the state park. The entire drive, Lady 1 would say the same phrase on repeat. Turning periodically towards Lady…
A Full Life
I’ve been working in a nursing home for almost two years now. I have so many thoughts and observations forming over this time I could write a book. One that struck me recently is the stark contrast between my life and what I observe about the residents I love. Most days it feels like I…
Coming Home
Too often I am barely through the door when my eyes bee line toward the visual pandemonium in my house. The mess. The chaos. What everyone didn’t do. I chirp, bark, holler, correct, start sailing into them. Because he loves me, God always has a way of humbling and dealing with my anger at inconvenience….
Truth bomb from my five-year-old
I recently walked in the door after a refreshing night with some friends. I was looking forward to coming home to my husband, and a quiet house with the kids all nestled in their beds. I craved ending my already wonderful evening with my motherhood duties over. Upon arriving home, however, I found the kids…
Friendship = Reciprocal
One of my greatest joys recently is self-forgetful play with our 85 pound dog, Penny. I get lost in the child-like frolicking when I am tossing her a toy, chasing her around, or attempting to tackle her. Most times she will bring the toy back and we engage in a good back and forth. Other…
Humble and Happy
I recently took one of my daughters on a date night. Justin and I rotate taking them out individually. That night she shared something about me that was hard to hear. I was so tempted to immediately justify myself. Not good. But then God’s word came to me in that moment. “He opposes the proud…
A Social Discouragement
I don’t like getting social interactions wrong and I don’t like awkward situations. Have you ever left a conversation with your mind rolling over what you said? Why did I say that? I feel like such an idiot. Or maybe you’re thinking about the other person-Why did she respond that way? Seemed like an overreaction….
How Children Show Me Jesus
There are few things more affecting than how my children show me Jesus. It usually comes in moments when I am too busy or harried. When I am scrambling. When as Willy Wonka says, “There is so little to do and so much time to do it! Wait, strike that. Reverse it!” In one such…
