Last night I found myself in a hip-hop class. As I shimmied and shook my way through class, I wondered if this was worth it, and as I looked over at the girl next to me for inspiration, I thought how surely it was. Worth the sacrifice Awhile back, this daughter had...
Blog
Be Surprised at What Your Children Can Do!
It’s dinnertime in my house and I’m wondering what my kids are cooking. When our older four children left home for work and college, family dynamic changed. I began to work a bit more. We said yes to more activities which meant that those left at home needed to share...
A Grateful Heart for the Gift of Marital Love
I live a love story every day, but it is not a fairy tale. It is rather one I hold with abundant gratitude and protect fiercely. People often remark how unusual it is to be this in love after 27 years of marriage. Our children roll their eyes in mock uncomfortableness...
The Coats We Try On and the Coats We Keep
If there were an exhibit at the museum of my life, perhaps it would include a series of coats. Being as I currently own only two coats and neither of them fit well, perhaps more description is needed. I recently had the privilege of sitting in as my college children...
Turn to Mary When You Need Your Mother
I want my mommy.” I whisper into my husband’s shoulder. His shirt gathered into my fists as I hold onto him with such emotion and exhaustion. I crave guidance, a woman’s knowledge of how to persevere as the journey gets harder. There are so many changes in life...
Examining Our Hearts
I am in a season of going back to the basics of my faith in many ways and in doing so I am reminding myself to teach them to my younger kids. With four young adult children and four younger children, it’s easy to lose track of what has been taught to whom and when....
Only God Should Be Placed on a Pedestal
You’re such a good mom, they say with admiration. Teach me, their eyes say. Share your wisdom or your secret strategy to raising such great kids. I take a breath, smile, and thank them, telling them that truly any goodness they see must come from the Lord. Though true...
Keeping the faith while on family vacation
I share many check-in phone calls with my elderly father and his typical sendoff is, “Keep the faith, MaryB.” I smile as I recall this because it is summer, and as we plan family vacation time, the phrase “keep the faith” came to mind. Thanks, Dad. Thanks, Jesus....
Visitation Moments
Have you ever had a moment where you pause and sit in wonder at what is transpiring? Those moments where you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit so acutely. Or perhaps a moment shared with another where your heart is elevated to rejoicing at just being in each...
Be Heaven-Focused
One of the biggest temptations facing Christians today is that we are trying to live our heaven on earth. There are so many ways we are trying to ease the challenges placed before us, quench our thirst and/or fill the void that we feel inside; and yet, truly, there is...