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When I Want To Be Mean
I looked at the text message in complete disbelief. Why couldn’t this person see how insensitive and hurtful they were being? I don’t know who made up the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones...
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Giving Life to One Another
“They’re gonna be late!” Chad called from outside. We were still barbequing in October this year. I figured if it’s eighty degrees outside we’ll just treat everything like summer, including our dinner...
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On saying it out loud
There’s this thing I’d like to talk about. Is it ok if I get right to the point? We remember that God tells us to forgive but we are hurt, so hurt, and say no, maybe later. Maybe later I’ll forgive,...
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5 Steps to Forgiving Yourself
“I’m just so stupid!!” One of my daughters face-palms herself after a mistake she’s made. And I’ll admit, it’s a big one. “No you aren’t. You just made a poor choice.” I go to her, gather her and do...
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When You’re the Mean Girl
I recently noticed a statement floating through the Twitterverse that stopped me cold. I am not sure where it originated, but it read something like this: “Men shouldn’t try to understand women. Women...
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The Unraveling Of A Marriage
I had a favorite sweater I loved wearing. It wasn’t too bulky but was still warm and cozy. The only problem was the threads were loosely woven together. It would snag on things, so I had to be ever so...
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Forgive
Did you know it’s possible to waste away from a broken heart? I had heard this before, but never thought it was in fact, possible. I was wrong. As much as I wish I wasn’t, I’m witnessing it happen to...
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Mean Girls
The plastic seats were green. The desks a dirty beige. The perfect pale color to make pencil marks easy to read. Really easy. That’s how I saw what was making the group of girls sitting in front of me...
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Not My Nature
I don’t know why I thought I could do it by myself. I couldn’t. I wasn’t made to. It’s not in my nature. Our nature. To forgive. It’s in His nature to forgive. And only He can help us do it. I...
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When people you love make choices you hate
The anguish in her voice broke my heart. She had just confirmed her father’s affair with another woman after months of speculation, separation and conversation. Hers is a version of the same story...
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On Making Things Right With Those You Love (and a Book Giveaway!)
Dr. Jennifer Thomas is an author, speaker, psychologist and blogger who provides tips on what to say when your relationship hits a snag. In her book When Sorry Isn’t Enough: Making Things Right with...
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The One Person Most of Us Need to Forgive
Dr. Jennifer Thomas is an author, speaker, psychologist and blogger who provides tips on what to say when challenging conversations arise. In her book When Sorry Isn’t Enough: Making Things Right with...
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Giving Yourself Grace
My life is probably a lot like yours. Busy. Full. A bit crazy and hectic, with so many things vying for your attention. On most days, I handle it all pretty well. And then on others I feel myself...
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The Sweetest Revenge
During my years as a pastor’s wife, I’ve received my share of persecution from church members. One particular time came when a friend of mine spread some gossip about me. Although the rumors weren’t...
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A Winter’s (Tree) Tale
Each December the weather in Chicago transforms into a super-villain, wielding the cold like a weapon, freezing everything in its path. A few years ago, with winter’s formidable appearance on the...
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Everything Beautiful Once Again
Our family spent months preparing for this vacation! We had been living in Singapore for two and a half years and had one big trip planned before returning to the States. We were hot! All the time....
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When Guilt Pulls You Down
My daughter nearly drowned in a swimming pool when she was two-years-old; and I nearly drowned in my guilt after the incident. It happened on my watch. She, very cautious in the water, sat on the...
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All Things New
Our children were eight and ten when I told them about my past. My sin-filled, gin-soaked, seriously-bad-girl past. The soft April light warmed our sunporch that Saturday afternoon as the kids and I...
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Beloved
I open the Scriptures, irritated once again at other people. I’m hungry for a proven process to live in Christian community. But I’m equally disgusted by my perpetual need for instruction on how to...
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For Motherless Daughters
Motherless daughters. At first glance that might seem like an odd turn of phrase – especially the week before Mother’s Day when you were probably expecting a sweet and simple story. But that’s not...
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