Devotionals

Hot showers, a warm cup of tea, fuzzy socks and straight irons….there is always something to be thankful for. Last Thanksgiving, I went over the A,B,C’s of gratitude. It’s a simple but fun exercise I learned from Max Lucado’s book, “Before Amen.”  In fact, it was so much fun, I thought to do it again!  […]

This month I have been recounting blessings that God has helped me to see when the season of layoff did not appear to be one we would be thankful for. When we were growing up, parents did not have conversations with children about the challenges they were facing. After all, a parent just wants to […]

Last week I began a series to highlight the blessings in the unexpected season my family recently experienced. I remember when sharing the news about my husband’s layoff with a dear friend, her response was to embrace me and pray with me. The words that stood out the most to me were: “Help Joyce to […]

We were a family of six growing up, so a station wagon made sense.  To Dad, though, having TWO station wagons made even more sense. I can still picture the back door of the blue wagon, plastered with what seemed like a hundred bumper stickers. Dad was the pastor of our church, so it served […]

Two months ago when my husband was laid off, a precious friend told me to keep my eyes open for the blessings in this unexpected season. My internal response was, “Blessings?” All I could seem to focus on was my list of worries. I mean, it’s a struggle to see anything to be grateful for […]

This Monday morning, when I turned on the news, they were discussing the synagogue shooting .  It’s just unfathomable that this continues to happen in our country.  To try and put a happier spin on things, the newscasters were asking people a question: “How can you spread love today?” People were responding via Facebook and Twitter […]

I am a practicalist.  (I don’t know if that’s even a proper word, but it seems to describe me quite well). Life has to make sense…and if possible, I would like to have all the details ironed out before I take a single step forward in a new or different direction. But the more I read […]

When my husband, Lance, started traveling for work many years ago, it was really hard. I wasn’t used to being alone in the house and not seeing him everyday. Eventually, I did get used to it…and actually started to enjoy some of the perks of it. (Um…Maybe I should clarify.)   Of course, I would […]

Balloons ✓ Cake ✓ Dinner ✓ My checklist had been completed for my daughter’s surprise sweet sixteen. I was a mama on a mission as I rushed into the house from our homeschool community. But I came to a screeching halt when my husband prompted me to join him in our room. He had just […]

Do you know of a person seems too far gone that it seems there’s no hope for them? Manasseh, the son of King Hezekiah in the Bible comes to mind.   Hezekiah is remembered a good and honorable king who on his deathbed, pleaded with God to extend his life.  God granted his request and […]