One Thousand (or more) Gifts
Three-Step Process for Controlling Doubt
Everyone struggles with it. It’s not relegated to a certain age or stage in life. And it can rob us of our productivity and purpose, seeping into our lives with paralyzing results. The insidious menace I’m writing about is “doubt.” Doubt often sneaks in when we least expect it, especially active in God’s sanctuary on…
Messy or Not, We Are Loved
I was near tears. Nothing seemed to work. We’ve tried for years, and Rachel had an accident again. As I cleaned her—and the floor—up, I couldn’t help but wonder if this would always be the case. Would she never understand what it means to go in the toilet? My eyes searched hers as I fought…
Persevere [One Word 2013]
Persevere: There really was no choice. I have many words I need to apply to my life in 2013, but only one could be the one. The one I focus on throughout the year. The one I pray about unceasingly and strive for diligently. Persevere had to be the one word for me this year because…
Celebrating the Ultimate Washing
The rustle of the dry leaves taunt me. Dirty brown and dull gray assault my eyes. What I want is the pure white of snow. A clean covering that makes all sparkle. A blanket of brilliance that covers up the ugly and rough. It’s not really the look of the outside landscape I’m looking…
The Search For Significance
“So what do you do?” The question hung in the air. “Stay home with my kids,” I finally managed to mumble, feeling half the size I did a moment earlier. Why did one simple question invoke such a shameful reaction? After all, I loved staying home with my children. And more importantly, I knew it was…
Overcoming the Pooh Belly Complex
This is the worst time of the year to care about that extra pudge around the middle, but I can’t help it. The scale registers a little higher and my pants fit a little bit tighter. And I’m not real happy about either. It has always been fairly easy for me to maintain my weight…
Regret and Redemption (Surrendering With All)
The instant the words left my mouth, I wanted to stuff them back in. More sharp words to cut into the hearts of those I love. There really were no reasons for my harsh remarks besides exhaustion and frustration over things completely separate from the activities of the moment. Those few hasty comments overshadowed four…
Redeeming Winter (and the 3 R’s)
The first snowflakes of the season fall as I put another log on the fire. And my heart warms. This is another day the Lord has made, I can rejoice and be glad in it! The days may be growing shorter and colder, but who said they have to be dreary? Cool winds blow. Snow…
Why Everything Must Change and What To Do About It
Friday night I slept peacefully. Everything just felt … right. The beds were full and doors locked. The way it should be. Our oldest had surprised the other children by driving the 8-plus-hour trip home from college to see his brother in the high school musical. We were all under the same roof for the first…
In Which I Remember, Grieve, and Rejoice
The memorial card goes with me nearly everywhere. It’s really all I have to remember my five precious pre-born children by. Five names scrawled across, with the date of their Home-going indicated as well. Their names are for the most part reflect merely guesses of the gender. I don’t revisit the grief often but sometimes…
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.
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