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Children Learn from Our Example (uh-oh)
Why do we always remember the things we’d most like to forget? My husband and son were still sleeping while my pre-teen daughter, Lilly, and I busied ourselves getting ready for a day of sightseeing....
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Is It Worth What It Takes to Be Set Free?
I thought I was over the hurt. Was sure I had moved on. But as I slipped my thumb under the seal of the invitation to my 10-year college reunion, it hit me: I had not forgiven her. During our last...
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“Fervent” Strategy 9: Your Hurts
Read Strategy 9: Your Hurts (pages 151-167) Within 45 seconds of watching the singer retell a painful and familiar story from childhood through a song she wrote for her daughter, I found myself...
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A Choice of Hope
Terrified and torn, a young woman girl, seventeen, sacrificed so that her firstborn could have life. For nine months, perfect innocence was knit together in her womb. Yet on a blistery Milwaukee...
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Thank God It’s Monday
Draped in white lace I stood ready, waiting. The room brimmed with busyness around me as the bridesmaids clutched their bouquets and the mothers adjusted their corsages. The ceremony would begin any...
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Understanding the Language of an Apology
It was our first interaction, our first meeting and her vocal knife sliced the conversation. “As a retired school teacher, I’m very concerned about the future of your children if you continue to...
View ArticleOn the Surface of Pain
Your birthday is tomorrow and I have a few things I guess I have to get out of me. I want you to know that I know you didn’t know how to love me. And yea, you broke my heart, but you were broken too. I...
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When Your Bad Day Gets Thrown onto Your Kids
It was a Barbie shoe in the grass that prompted her to yell at me. I had been playing Barbies with my friends outside on a blanket, but somehow, that shoe ended up in the grass. My stomach tightened...
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A Lesson from Lady Violet
So, I took my daughter and daughter-in-love, both in their late twenties, to an elegant museum exhibit. Dressed in our summer best, we strolled through the gilded doors, ready for a fun afternoon of...
View ArticleWhen Your Feelings Have Been Hurt
This I know, that God is for me. ~ Psalm 56:9b Once upon a time, a long, long, time ago, Beth Moore and I were best friends. Each time she’d release a new Bible study, I was in the front row absorbing...
View ArticleThe Expense of Forgiveness
I picked up another small shirt, shook it out, then folded it. As I added it to the growing pile of clean laundry, the pile of dirty laundry in my heart grew. I had been highly embarrassed by a...
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Why Are These Words So Hard To Say?
Our new book – Never Unfriended: The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships – releases one week from today! If you pre-order this week you can still get a $22 clip frame for FREE. It...
View ArticleThe Truth About Confession
After hearing an amazing message by Kasey Van Norman about the Samaritan woman, I have been processing the difference between being transparent and being vulnerable — and how they both play out in my...
View ArticleWhen the Trampoline Needs Untangling (and It’s Not the Only Thing)
Deep into the wee hours one night, spring came ferociously roaring through our small town. And it took our trampoline with it. Once the major threat of tornadoes had passed and the agonizing should we...
View ArticleWho Will Defend Me?
I stumbled down the stairs, willing myself to the downstairs bathroom. I’ve never understood the draw of the early morning hours and at seventeen years old, those hours were tortuous. Mornings provided...
View ArticleWhen Someone Steals Your Chickens
Someone stole our chickens. I’m still in disbelief and grieving. Yes, the chickens gave us eggs but they were more like pets. We called a few of them “our girls.” It’s such a violating feeling to have...
View Article5 Ways to Forgive When It Feels Unfair
Don’t let anyone tell you being a Christian is easy, or a crutch. When you come to Christ, you come with all of yourself, surrendering everything to Jesus. And that’s not easy, because “I want what I...
View ArticleA Hopeful Thought About Forgiveness
It was the first time my small group would meet her, this dear friend of our dear friend. On more than one occasion Monica had shared wisdom and insight she had gained from Sandra, and we were eager to...
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A Lesson from Lady Violet
So, I took my daughter and daughter-in-love, both in their late twenties, to an elegant museum exhibit. Dressed in our summer best, we strolled through the gilded doors, ready for a fun afternoon of...
View ArticleWhen Your Feelings Have Been Hurt
This I know, that God is for me. ~ Psalm 56:9b Once upon a time, a long, long, time ago, Beth Moore and I were best friends. Each time she’d release a new Bible study, I was in the front row absorbing...
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