How to thrive as the parent of a sensitive teenager
My son has been quiet all afternoon. Not in his usual introverted way—today he’s brooding. Slumpy. I plop down beside him on the couch. “Okay,…
Freedom in Christ—a more enjoyable way to live
We've been preparing for our longest RV trip yet, which means making far too many pink and orange highlighted lists and checking them a gazillion…
How to avoid power struggles with your children
“I don’t want to take a nap! I am not tired! You are so unfair!” “I am the only teen in the world who does not have social media! You are so…
Surrendering to God’s call
When God prompted us to adopt Joy three years ago, it came out of the blue—days before our twenty year wedding anniversary. For seven years, I’d…
Manna in the margins
Becoming a mother came with a surprising level of mourning. As I held onto the tangible joy of my first born and then second, I couldn’t deny the…
Two funerals and a wedding: 3 principles of grief in a stepfamily
It was a sunny Fourth of July weekend. Red roses and navy ribbons were the ideal backdrop for my fiancé, Robbie, and me to join in matrimony. With…
Pleasing God, not people
My friend and her husband were embarking on quite an adventure. They sensed God calling them to become a foster family, taking in children from…
Three ways to strengthen the bond with your grandkids
It’s been a few years, but I (Shellie) well remember my first bout of SAG. And no, I’m not referring to body parts, although I’ve seen my fair share…
The battle against shame starts in childhood
Since Genesis 3, shame has been Satan’s primary weapon against the sons and daughters of God. The reason shame is so powerful? Because it speaks to…
