“I just don’t feel called to sexual purity.” “Reading the Bible isn’t my gifting.” “It’s great that you pray, but I follow God in other ways.” Faithful Christians and churches would rightly find these statements concerning. Yet it seems that demonstrating mercy to the needy is often talked about in similar ways. We affirm that … Continue reading The Mercy Mandate
I love my kids like crazy, but mothering is hard and my sins are many. I am prone to discouragement, and wallowing in my failures only leads to more of them. It is looking to Christ that fends off condemnation and gives the power to change. He is the hope-giver and the heart-changer for crappy … Continue reading Sometimes I’m a Really Crappy Mom
I never read Kisses from Katie. I knew her general story from a friend who loved it, but I didn't get around to checking it out myself. I'll admit to being a little skeptical. How could a 23-year-old adopt 13 kids and actually function well as a mother? Perhaps this skepticism is one reason that … Continue reading Daring to Hope Book Review
Article originally published on Her View From Home: Common suffering has a unique way of building community. It starts with those small and inconsequential struggles. Two moms with tantruming toddlers throw sympathetic smiles to each other at the park. A knowing glance is cast when the woman in the checkout line buys chocolate, ice cream, tampons, … Continue reading Shared Suffering Builds Close Community
26 months since application, 12 months and 1 day since receiving her referral, and it finally happened. We were united with our daughter! In many ways, things have been far better than we could have ever asked or imagined. Meeting our daughter's caretakers was incredibly encouraging. We were bracing for a large orphanage where everyone … Continue reading The Problem I Wasn’t Prepared For.
Over the past several of months, I've frequently felt overwhelmed. Occasionally this has been attributable to an overly busy schedule, sick and whiny kids, or the to-do list I just can't tackle. But typically it's related to more emotional reasons. It can be connected to personal struggles, such as waiting for my daughter. Other times … Continue reading The Gift of Being Overwhelmed
The eternal existence of Christ is mind-boggling. The thought of an eternal future seems like a less daunting idea. But no beginning? I can't even begin to wrap my mind around the concept. Yet Christ had no beginning, which makes the humility and the mystery of his incarnation all the more profound. For an eternity … Continue reading The Humility of the Incarnation
