Planted on the Rock
The Best Birthday Present of All Time
Nov 13th
My husband and I have birthdays in December 8 days apart. As you can imagine, our birthdays sometimes get combined with Christmas celebrations or downplayed in the busy season. Which actually, is totally fine. We are both approaching a new decade milestone and don't mind if the birthday gets overlooked in the hub bub of Christmas.As I was discussing with my husband his list of needs and wants, he came up with the most brilliant idea of all time. "How about the kids with you parents for a whole weekend? No money spent on their part and pure bliss for us." More >
A Man Leaves
Jul 6th
A man slings his pack over his left shoulder, smiles and waves. He says goodbye with an already-homesick look on his face. He tosses his camo bags in the truck and composes himself as he turns for a last look at me, the house, his home. It's not my husband leaving. He's my son.My son was returning to Afghanistan. No longer as a young man with mature ideals one moment only to react with teenage-type silliness the next. No, he was to return to war different than the last time he left our home. He had become an Adult with a capital More >
Disappointment Redeemed
Jun 11th
I'm so disappointed in you.A knife pierced my 12 year old heart. My mother had the power to reduce my foolishness with only that phrase. With only a disproving look and those quietly spoken words, I was reduced to shame. Couldn't she have just spanked me and gotten it over with? A quick kapow to the bum would have been less painful than the "disappointment speech".As a parent to a young adult, I too, know what it is to be disappointed in my child's decisions. I understand how it hurts to hear of his wayward choices that he calls fun. I know the More >
BFF . . . For Real
May 5th
Frisco Bible has an amazing couple leading the youth, Kris and Amy Keith. Amy invited me to be a part of a get together for teen girls from my church called "Junk Food and Jesus". It was an opportunity for junior high and high school girls to indulge in some yummy food while listening in on how God is working or has worked in "older" womens' lives. So here's the first thing . . . I'm now considered an "older" woman. Sigh. Weep. Tears. I never thought it would happen to me. Alas.And the second thing? I am totally enjoying More >
No More "I" Word
May 2nd
Sitting through a long meeting, my mind begins to drift. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon for me. Sitting still and sitting quietly still is not a task I've mastered. I'm 38 years old. See . . . I'm drifting here, too. Anyway, as I half listen I look around at a room full of women. There's talk of this and that and I can only focus on things hidden beneath the service. What is Lady A covering beneath her nervous laughter? What is Gal B hiding behind her chewed-upon bottom lip? Can Friend C twiddle her thumbs even faster to control her More >
Put Your Clothes On!
Mar 22nd
Recently we read one of children's favorite stories, The Emperor's New Clothes. My kids think it is unimaginable that anyone would actually believe to be wearing clothes while prancing through the streets of the town for all the world to see in only their skivvies. His pride draped around his shoulders masquerading as wisdom.Wasn't he cold? Didn't he notice the shocked and embarrassed faces of the townspeople and his court? WHAT was he thinking?!After putting the book away, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my own unimaginable prideful practice. Every morning when I rise, I go through a mental checklist More >
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