Empty Chairs . . . Some years Thanksgiving is harder to celebrate than other years. I love the turkey, giblet gravy, cranberry sauce, dressing, and green bean casserole. I embrace the cooler weather, gold and garnet leaves, and the almost naked trees, and I love gathering with family and friends–whoever can come. Yet, there have been many years when I’ve …
Cultivating Kindness in This Season of Hate
It’s been a devastating week of death, hatred, and injustice. Sorrow has manifested in riots and destruction since the death of George Floyd. Our country needs healing. I believe kindness could begin the process. The kindness I’m talking about does not come natural to us. As broken people living in a shattered world where discrimination, fear, and hatred often force …
Scriptures to Help You Keep Praying When You’ve Lost Hope
Sometimes it’s hard to keep praying. I know. A few years ago I was disenchanted with prayer. My heart was broken and weary. I was angry and confused. Grief stricken. My best friend, my only sister, lost a battle to cancer despite trillions of prayers and faith that could move mountains. “Why do we pray if it doesn’t make a …
7 Scriptures on the Holy Spirit and How He Helps Us
Almost twenty years ago, I knelt down next to my bed and prayed for more of the Holy Spirit. I prayed for my ears to hear Him as my friend heard Him. If the Lord had more of Himself to give me, more gifts of the Holy Spirit, despite my fears, I wanted more. I knew people who walked with …
You Belong: Three Ways to Find Your Tribe
We Need to Belong God gave us the desire to belong to something or someone or a plural of someones. He’s a God of relationship, and we were made in His image. Even at fifty-two there is a little girl in me who wants to belong. I’m also acutely aware of others who want to belong. Maybe it’s that longing …