Anyone else watch Les Miserables on Masterpiece? Even though I sometimes missed the music (from my favorite musical), it was a glorious production – and made me cry several times. One of the times that tears ran down my cheeks was Javert’s anguish and resulting suicide because of his inability to accept forgiveness, love, mercy. Grace. I saw reflected in …
For Those Who Grieve on Mother’s Day
My emotions were off-kilter this week, pushing me to question, Why am I feeling depressed? What’s this about? And then I remember. Stupid me. It’s the week before Mother’s Day. I yearn to hear three different treasured voices this Sunday: my mom’s. Robb’s. And Jay’s. Only one will respond to my need. An so I grieve, stumbling through this long …
A Balanced Life? Really? Live Your Priorities
(This week, Craig shares with us what he’s learned about juggling work/ministry and family.) What are the most important characteristics you desired in a spouse? The research is consistent across all age groups: “A good spouse puts family above everything else.” When I hear that, I wonder if Carolyn and my family believe that I put them above everything else …
And Another Leader Bites the Dust
A few months after our son Robb died, the editor I was working with enquired how I was doing. She asked with sensitive compassion, and since we’d developed enough trust—battling through edits can do that!—I decided to be honest with her. So I began my response by saying, “Since it’s you, and I can be real, I can admit that …
A Real Person’s Response to Those “Tidy Uppers”
It’s that time of year, and I don’t know about you, but I’m always THRILLED to read one thousand new ways describing how I’m a slob and that I need another’s advice on creative ways to become an obsessive neat freak. Whoo-hoo! You psyched too? Awesome. So let’s list our VERY FAVORITE reminders from various ever-helpful magazines, okay? O-kay! Real …
One Holy Moment
Craig and I just returned from a wonderfully soul-restoring time in Belize. We celebrate 46 years of marriage on June 9, but a couple years ago we decided we wouldn’t wait until our 50th to do something special. We’d known too many couples who did that…and then they couldn’t, for one reason or another. So we booked a trip to …
ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY: Craig Attempted to Feed Me to the Sharks!
Last week Craig and I were in Belize at an island resort called Coco Plum. The resort offers several options of fun sea faring rides—single and double kayaks, paddleboards, and Hobie cats—to be enjoyed while all manner of sea creatures swim right along with you in the shallow waters surrounding the island. We saw dozens of rays (yes, the kind …
Make It Sweet…Make It Unique…Make It Valentine’s Day Fun!
When Craig and I were dating, we started this completely silly game of passing an acorn back and forth. Each day’s winner was based on whether Craig or I was able to secretly plant the acorn somewhere on the other person for the night. That stupid acorn showed up in my purse, pockets, class folders, hat, mittens, you name it. …
First, You Decide to Live
Recently we learned of another couple who lost a child—a baby, only four months old. My heart aches for them, for the traumatic pain that has just flooded their souls, threatening to drown them. And then I think, “They’ll need to decide if they want to live.” Yes, it’s partly that meaning. I wanted to die when Robb did, the …
The Gift of You
Searching for a meaningful gift for your husband/wife, and can’t find anything that shouts THIS IS IT. Craig and I have a suggestion for you: All you need is a small box and a piece of paper. On that paper, jot down, “This year, I’m giving the gift of You.” Then, explain… *You’re so very …