by LaNelle I’ve been working on a painting project this summer, trying to finish the back soffit of our old house. It’s making me think about the process of transformation. This project has been more time-consuming and frustrating than I expected. … Continued
Why do I hate change? Change destroys my illusion of control, threatens my security, and removes me from my comfort zone. I often find myself overwhelmed, trying to resist change. It takes a lot of energy to constantly adapt to … Continued
I have been thinking of the old hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” and especially about the words of the third verse: “Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, Strength for … Continued
I am trying to rewrite my inner words, spoken by a harsh inner critic. One common lie she whispers is that I am insignificant, that I will never do anything impactful, that I will never make a difference in the … Continued
Like many other little girls, I greatly enjoyed the Disney princess movies growing up. In fact, it is still fun to pop some popcorn, get cozy on the couch, and get carried away by the magic, music, and imagination. I … Continued
We are broken people. We look at our lives and see imperfection, pain, shattered dreams, and irreparable relationships. We believe we’ve messed up beyond redemption; that we can never have the smooth, ideal life we once eagerly anticipated. We believe … Continued
My cousin, Ruthanne Jackson, wrote this years ago when her children were small. Since we share the same grandmother, I also had one of Grandma’s hand-made quilts. I have always enjoyed what Ruthanne wrote and wanted to share it with … Continued
Fear is a formidable enemy. The “what if” whispers fill my mind and consume all my energy. What if… I lose my job? What if… my children fall away? What if… someone gets sick? It is fear that holds me … Continued
I have a friend who has been struggling for some time now with cancer. She may not know it, but as she continues through these difficult times she is teaching me and others what true courage looks like. Courage is … Continued
One of my favorite childhood poems is Robert Louis Stevenson’s “My Shadow”, which shows the wonder and annoyance a child has with his constantly changing shadow. With every slight movement, our shadows thin or deepen, affected by season, weather, time … Continued