Longing for a Silent Night

“I hate to feel this way about the holidays,” a friend recently said to me, “but I wish it was over.” I admit to struggling with this tension too. Sometimes, … Continue reading Longing for a Silent Night

What Do We Do When Life Falls Apart? The Psalms Show Us the Way

This isn’t how it is supposed to be. The morning after I moved my daughter, Meghan, out of her first apartment and back home, this was the only thought I … Continue reading What Do We Do When Life Falls Apart? The Psalms Show Us the Way

What To Do With Ourselves in the Land of COVID-19

Yesterday was busy in the land of COVID-19. I rose early, as usual, and drank coffee and wrote. Before the sun was fully up, I went to the grocery and … Continue reading What To Do With Ourselves in the Land of COVID-19

A Bedtime Story For An Anxious World

The first possession I remember treasuring was a little red tricycle. I was very small when I received it, too small, in fact to work the pedals. I remember the … Continue reading A Bedtime Story For An Anxious World

The Mundane and the Monumental: Clinging to Easter on Monday Morning

This is a re-post of my Jesus Calling blog post, April 1, 2018. It feels especially appropriate today. I hope you are encouraged. Six days before Easter morning, I found … Continue reading The Mundane and the Monumental: Clinging to Easter on Monday Morning

Are You Tired, or Are You Weary? Why the Difference Matters to God.

Work, Work, Work I worked as a maid during my first year in college, and it was a year in which I wasn’t just bone-tired, I was weary. This is … Continue reading Are You Tired, or Are You Weary? Why the Difference Matters to God.

Ash Wednesday

“You Have Something On Your Forehead”- What is the Deal with Ash Wednesday?

Today is Ash Wednesday, a Holy Day of prayer that begins the season of Lent. If you, like me, didn’t grow up observing Ash Wednesday, here are a few things … Continue reading “You Have Something On Your Forehead”- What is the Deal with Ash Wednesday?

How Long, Lord? When Waiting is Hard Work

Waiting for God is hard work. Throughout my adult life I have spent long, painful seasons waiting for God to bring… Healing. Justice. Provision… Over and over, I have cried … Continue reading How Long, Lord? When Waiting is Hard Work

How mindfulness helps with stress

What is Your “Default” in Times of Stress?

This week, I made a promise to myself to take steps to get out of my lizard brain by using mindfulness. And there are lots of ways to get there!

Is this Really Your Life? Social Media Makes Me Feel Like a Saggy, Old Disaster

Is this really your life? This is how I feel about all of the gorgeous, carefully tousled, perfectly lit photos I come across on social media. On some level, I … Continue reading Is this Really Your Life? Social Media Makes Me Feel Like a Saggy, Old Disaster

New Free Devotionals at Christianity Today

Do you need some quiet for your soul? I am so proud to have helped write the latest volume in Shelia Walsh’s popular devotional series, 5 Minutes with Jesus! Check … Continue reading New Free Devotionals at Christianity Today

Pain with a Purpose (and the perils of Spring sports season)

This week I have driven one thousand miles in three afternoons without ever leaving the boundaries of my small town (or at least it feels like it). What I do … Continue reading Pain with a Purpose (and the perils of Spring sports season)