When I was a child, I remember singing “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, down in my heart to STAY!” I thought the…

The idea of being a “thermostat” rather than a “thermometer” is a metaphor for how we approach our emotions and influence our family and home…

Fall is a transition for everyone, adults and children alike. Those early morning alarms are already a struggle to get up and get everyone ready and out the…

“I just don’t know what to do,” my friend said through tears as she showed me her text messages. She had messaged her ex-husband to tell him…

What is the heaviest thing you have ever lifted? I read an article recently about two mothers who single-handedly lifted a 1.1-ton car off of a young boy…

When I was a kid, I wanted to marry a cowboy. I loved their manners, work ethic, patriotism, and how they looked in their Wrangler jeans. Separate from the Mr. Cowboy Boots desire, I imagined living in a lighthouse nestled in a nook to read book after book while watching the waves pound the shore.

My brain loves to wake me up a little after 3 a.m. It is its favorite time to bring up everything I should worry about. So I do just that.

Sometimes I find myself just stopping in my tracks or looking into the mirror and wondering how everything went so off track…and I let myself feel what I need to during those moments. 

I was out with a group of my friends when I saw it happen…the look. My friend had been divorced for a year and a half, and even though it was hard, she really had been thriving. She had gotten highly involved at church again and had joined a small group. Her kids were finally on a good routine. She had even been able to consider dating again. The work God had done in her life since her divorce was absolutely beautiful. 

I’m one of those busy moms living a full life who decided to go back to college a few years ago. My brain felt a little sluggish and old, especially coming out of a season where the theme song of “Elmo’s World” lived rent free in my head.

A few days ago I went outside and took care of my favorite rose bush. It was full of yellow roses. It was given to me after my daughter Kari passed away. I find myself taking gentle care of it. I took a picture of it, full of roses, hope, and beauty.

Recently I heard the host of a radio show ask, “What do you think is one of the most popular topics searched for on the Internet?” I thought, “Money issues.” She commented, “Over three million people searched for help on how to get over a breakup or be set free from a toxic relationship or friendship.” Maybe you’re trapped in one now, and no matter how hard you try to break free from this person, you can’t.

I excitedly prepared to head off for a conference in Grand Junction, Colorado, early the next morning. My confidence ebbed and flowed as I packed my car, ensuring everything I needed was secure within. I knew I could get from Edmond, Oklahoma, to Grand Junction in one day, but it would be a long travel day.

The Lord has taught me many crucial lessons during my time as a parent. One lesson stands out to me the most: honor my child’s preciousness over his performance. 

Have you ever done something and then looking back you thought, how could I have done or said that? Or how could I not have weighed the options and made a better decision? If you’re a mom, you’ve lived long enough to have at least one disturbing regret.  

Isn’t it amazing how little it takes to get ourselves all worked up into a “tizzy”? Maybe it’s something as simple as the holidays coming up or us wondering about…

You’re likely reading this blog because you wrestle with a situation that will not, I said WILL NOT, leave you alone! I call it your ‘this’ – that one thing that you simply cannot get beyond.

As a friend sat crying in my arms, I was again reminded of the brokenness of this world, and how the Father wastes no hurt, no trial, no suffering, when we are committed to His glory.  I listened with my heart and responded with “I know. I’m sorry,” over and over again. Life threw her a curve and I happened to be someone who understood the pain.

The following list includes some of the first meaningful steps I took in my attempt to surrender my shame to God. It would be amazing if I could tell you something like, “Follow these three easy steps and you too will be free from shame!” As I’m sure you know, overcoming shame is not like that; it’s a journey.

I remember well one of the loneliest times of my life. I had spent a long day sitting in a hospital waiting room. My husband’s cancer surgery had gone well, but it was stressful to say the least. As I sat in my car to go home, I took a moment to try to collect myself. I turned on the ignition, but all of a sudden, fear and loneliness flooded my mind and the tears flowed