The dreaded F word, FEAR. It rears its ugly head often in my life even though God says, “Do not fear.” Plagued by fear of not being good enough, I have struggled with this issue due to abuse in my early childhood and young adulthood, leaving me to feel like not even God could use me. In reality, this fear manipulated me into believing Satan’s words instead of God’s. I struggled to believe God really loved me. Yes, He sent … Continue reading →
She sat there, paralyzed with fear. And she didn’t know where the fear came from, but she was aware she was more terrified than she’d ever been before. “You’re trapped,” the voice mocked, whispering in her ear. “God help me. Please deliver me from this nightmare I’m living.” Hopelessness surrounded her as she cried out to God. “Are you even real? I thought you were real, but where are you now, Jesus? Do you care about me? She and her … Continue reading →
A few years ago, my family and I went on vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. We spent a week exploring the different shops and having new adventures. My wife and I believe vacations are times to relax, unplug, and have new experiences together. That formula works well … usually. In Gatlinburg, we first went zip-lining as a family, now a family-favorite activity. We also experienced white-water rafting for the first time. There were two options for our rafting trip: Raging Rapids … Continue reading →
As I listened to her anxious chatter, the image of my frantic friend blurred into an image of me as if I stared into a watery mirror. With furrowed brows, she rapid-fired concerns without the commas of deep breaths. She lamented the past and feared future failure as her meal sat untouched. I felt the frustration and pain of familiar words. My sweet friend served as judge, jury, and prosecuting attorney for her own case. Believing the lies of her … Continue reading →
Two tall, heavy doors loomed before me. Could I really do this? Taking a deep breath, I wrapped my fingers around a handle and pulled. It took only two steps over the threshold to start me on an exhilarating and difficult journey. Some dreams take longer than others to achieve. God-sized dreams are the ones we think impossible ever to see come true, yet, these dreams are done only in His timing and His help. God takes the impossible and … Continue reading →
I sat with Jon and Cheryl, my late husband’s and my best friends for almost fifteen years. Now they continue as dear ones to me, and I to them. As we ate at our favorite local watering hole, I updated them on the latest news regarding my first book’s publication. “I love this book!” I said with all humility because I know God superintended the story and its writing. It’s the riveting memoir of a pastor I assisted for … Continue reading →
At twenty-four I went from childlessness to being an instant mother of six. I’d always wanted a large family, but the plan had been to ease into parenthood one child at a time. Through an odd turn of circumstances, my then-husband and I found our home filled with the delights of a mob of tiny humans, ages six months to nine years. I knew it was God’s plan, and my mothering instincts needed no convincing it was the
