“How much can God do through closed doors?” The question hung in the air in a recent Teams meeting, and it took my breath away. I was talking with others at BCM International, the global missions organization where I work, … Continued
Two things I want to do are constantly pushed to the backburner. Writing and exercising. The two used to come easily to me, happening naturally during the course of a day. But now after working a full-time job-and-a-half, making sure … Continued
Until recently, I’ve never understood Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. The day of one’s death being better than the day of one’s birth? A house of mourning better than a house of feasting? Sorrow better than laughter? I’ve experienced both mourning and feasting, … Continued
Simple Idea: Sometimes Done is Better Than Perfect “A thought will seldom last if it only remains a thought. When the mind is not focused on the thought, it fades almost as if it has never been, and the world … Continued
This would have been my favorite week of the year. It would have been Leadership Week. The week when our resident assistants and dorm officers arrive before the school year begins. We would have blended fun and team building and … Continued
To my Thomson girls, Radical circumstances. They call for radical responses. Although we didn’t expect this year’s events, God knew. And I believe He was preparing us for this. Leadership team—you’ll remember. We brainstormed in our planning meeting, looking ahead … Continued
There’s been much consideration of lilies. And pondering things in my heart. We have daylilies from Redfield Farm right outside our doors. After the tulips and daffodils took their bow and faded in mid-spring, the lilies started popping up. I … Continued
Out of the cold and dark and broken, the song starts to rise. Hopeful notes sprout up in delicate green rhythms, each peeking out above the snow. Bulbs explode and grasses ascend as daffodils and then tulips add to … Continued
First-Home Experiences Our first home was a top-floor apartment in the city. The floors sloped steeply, so anything dropped in the kitchen immediately rolled to the far window. The angle made the back set of stairs an adventure in climbing … Continued
I am exceptionally proud of you. It’s true – I always love you. I know you’re beautiful inside and out. I’m typically proud of you. But today, I’m even more proud of you than usual. Today was your first ballet … Continued
She had the ultrasound gadget sitting right next to the little doppler, ready to go. She knew my history. She knew how long the seconds felt. The nurse had to ask; maybe the numbers were not clear enough on the … Continued
I’m pregnant*. No, the asterisk is not an error. Being pregnant* is very different than being pregnant. (Well, physically, the same birds-and-bees scenario happens.) Mentally and emotionally though, the asterisk makes all the difference. Pregnant* equates to “pregnant after … Continued