One Thousand (or more) Gifts
Three Steps to a Better Day (the A.R.T.)
With freezing fingers and toes and a burning anger, I glared at the little device in my hand. It had failed me again! All sanity quickly fled and I relabeled a good day “bad” in a nanosecond. And this over a relatively simple incident—one that involved an evil (in my opinion) Palm Pilot (PP). We’ve all had those days if…
Why It’s Tempting to Hide (and Why We Don’t Need To)
We are tempted to hide whether we are 16 or 66. Sometimes it just seems prudent to be someone we are not—even as adults—even as Christians. In high school I never quite fit in. I grew up on a farm, so classmates grouped me in the “farmer” category. However, I excelled in academics, so “brain”or “nerd”…
What Are You Willing To Give (Veterans, We Salute You!)
Today is Veteran’s Day. A day we honor our veterans for their “patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.” Yet I know there are some veterans out there who don’t feel like they’ve done enough to receive the respect and honor other vets do. These are veterans who never ended…
When Disappointment Threatens to Crowd Out Joy
A recent event sparked disappointment in a few of us in my family. It wasn’t a tragic event with life-altering consequences, but a time of discouragement and unrest. You know the feeling. A sense of longing for the opposite of what did happen. As I was processing this event, I realized competing camps battled for…
What Are You Missing? (Bringing Sight to the Blind)
Sometimes we’re missing far more than we realize. I remember clearly the day I got glasses. I was in sixth grade, and none of us six kids had trouble seeing, except apparently me. We lived on a hilltop farm, and two hills over sat another farm; Kresses were our nearest neighbors. As I stood in…
Soul Care (and the Futility of Success)
All the success of this world is futile if our souls are not cared for. This past weekend, my husband and I went to Parent’s Weekend for our oldest son who attends college eight hours away. As part of the schedule, we were able to meet with Daniel’s professors and various administrative staff. Near the beginning…
How To Affect Change Right Where You Are
In some sessions, I couldn’t jot down notes fast enough. In others, I nodded as the presenter imparted wisdom I had learned earlier. This was a good conference. One in which education and transition successes were shared and processes discussed. But as I stepped out of one particularly helpful session where I had gathered connections…
When Circumstances are Tough and Joy Seems Elusive
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11 Fullness of joy! Such a beautiful phrase. I want that, don’t you? And despite the dark days, the many diagnoses we may face, the tears of sorrow, the difficult marriages, the barbed…
Walk in Greater Peace: Lessons From Those Who Came Before
She was barren for many years. She gave her son away when he was just a tot. She faced marital difficulties. She lost nearly all of her family and felt compelled to leave the only land she knew. She faced an excruciatingly difficult decision that had high stakes, and fear made her hesitant to act.…
We Were Meant for Community
Often we try to live life alone. To handle what comes our way on our own strength. To struggle and even celebrate in relative silence–afraid we are burdening others or bragging … or maybe that we will be hurt. Many of us have good reason to be fearful. Still, we were never intended to live…
Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
Search the Blog
Categories
Maintain Godly Focus!
Are you struggling to maintain godly focus in the mess of each day's living? Do you too easily find yourself worrying about circumstances instead of trusting in God's promises? If you answered yes, why not download my ebook. It's filled with 25 power verses with space for personal reflection to help you maintain godly focus, no matter what situations arise.
(Privacy policy: Don't worry, your information is safe you can unsubscribe at any time.)
New Book, Just Released!
