Is your little girl growing up too fast? Do you feel nervous about keeping your communication open as she heads into her teen years? Even if you didn’t have a close relationship with your mom, you can connect with your daughter in ways that will draw both of you closer to God and closer to…
It’s easy to allow fear to set in when we forget how faithful God has been in the past. Take the time to remember not to forget. My stomach was in knots. I felt like I was going to throw up and I could hardly breathe. My 6-year-old grandson had suddenly become ill. It turned…
As our children grow, they will face new challenges on new levels. Praying for our children to lean on Jesus is one of the best ways we can parent them. “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and…
Sometimes humility is just what we need in order to recognize our own weakness and ask God for strength through repentance. “He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way” (Proverbs 25:9). I still remember when my oldest was three, my husband sat me down and told me that I…
When we have the simplicity of focus that integrity brings – meeting with God– there is no room for duplicity. The week was crazy. But in the best way. We’d hosted a dear friend—more like a family member, really—from England, had volleyball practice, and then all the things with family. After our tearful goodbye at…
Of all the virtues and lessons we can teach our children as they grow, there is one important parenting tool we have at our disposal. For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.James 2:26 I was in the pew on a recent Sunday morning, following…
We can have our own plans all set and tidy in our minds, but sometimes God has something different–but better. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) I thought it was all settled. Why shouldn’t I? We had made this important decision several years ago. And…
When we go through heartache, we can cling to God and trust that He has us and the entire situation in His hands. “I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8 ESV Laying in bed, I felt like a failure…
Sometimes we don’t even realize how powerful God’s grace is in our lives until we find ourselves broken. “I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8 ESV Laying in bed, I felt like a failure as a mother. I’d prided…
Our children will learn real faith through real life. But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14 ESV I was bent over my phone, fully absorbed in a text message when I heard my nine-year-old son behind me,…
Are you ready to make it your daily habit to give thanks to God—not only when things are going great, but when things are going wrong too? “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) My husband could hear her crying all the…
Sometimes all our wonderful plans actually get in the way of caring for the hearts closest to us. “With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (ESV) Close. That’s how people often describe our relationship. Both friends and strangers alike comment on it. “You and your daughter seem…
Your child’s mind is a great place to plant seeds of truth. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, Romans 12:2a I could hear our 14-year-old son mumbling to himself while washing eggs in the laundry room sink. It’s not his favorite chore, but poor kid,…
Do you ever feel stuck and you don’t know what to say when someone is hurting? Pray, pause, and watch how God speaks through you! “Do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit”…
Life doesn’t always get easier just because we wish it to. So how can we walk through the trials? Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in…
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