Happy New Year, friend! 2024 has come to a close and 2025 is open before us, like a freshly bought journal with pages yet to be filled. You, like me, have likely received roughly 10 billion emails telling you what you “need” to do in 2025 to have a great year: Get fit. Lose weight.…

Years ago, we stayed at a relative’s home for an extended family gathering. On the morning of our departure, I washed our sheets to remake our bed, hoping to lessen the work a houseful of guests creates. While transferring the sheets from the washer to the dryer a relative–not the hostess–entered the laundry room, her…

Recently, a longtime friend shared some of her elderly client’s unfiltered statements. We laughed at some, shook our heads in disbelief at others, but generally agreed that being totally unfiltered, no matter our age is not a desirable trait. We don’t have to be old to struggle with an unfiltered mouth. If you’re like me,…

I enjoy reading your articles regularly.

In reply to temp mail. So glad to hear it made your day! 🙂

In reply to Deb Stinar. Thank you for your comment, Deb. I’m the same way–I share His love for others and sometimes forget He loves me, too! May god richly bless you with His love! 🙂

I should look at this webpage, as my brother advised, and he was entirely right. You have no idea how much time I spent looking for this information, but this post made my day.

I so enjoyed what you said about proclaiming His love in the morning, because I so eagerly share Gods love for others and not for myself. Thank you for sharing Gods wisdom with me.

I stumbled upon an old prayer journal yesterday. Of course, I opened it; I had to see what I’d been praying about 2 ½ years ago! Earlier in my faith journey I started writing out my prayers, not because I’m super spiritual, but honesty, because I’m not. I needed a way to keep my mind…

Hey Friend! I’m writing from the dermatologist’s office; I’m in the middle of Moh’s surgery to remove skin cancer from my forehead. And, despite the lone photo of a paddle boarder on a calm sea (an obvious attempt to settle anxious patients), the grey walls and sterile white furniture serve as a reminder that this…

Early this morning my neighbor knocked lightly, opened our door, and shouted a warm, “Hello!” Although the knock on the door was unexpected, her arrival didn’t fluster me; over the years, my neighbor has been in every room of my house. She even has a key! But, like all good relationships, it didn’t start that…

Not long ago I was enjoying a smooth flight when-BAM!-unexpected turbulence rocked the plane. Panic replaced peace—you could see it in the passenger’s eyes. Even when the flight settled down and people returned to their books, movies, and laptops, emotional turbulence lingered. Everyone seemed to share the same concern: are we going to be OK?…

She felt embarrassed the minute the words left her lips. Her well-put-together exterior–cute outfit, hair, and make-up–proclaimed,  “I have it all together” but her words and facial expression told us otherwise. Did I really just say that out loud?  she wondered. There was no need for embarrassment, though. Every woman around her table had experienced…

Starting Strong in Christ Building your Spiritual Foundation Welcome to your new journey in faith! As you begin this incredible adventure with Christ, it’s important to establish strong spiritual habits that will nurture and deepen your relationship with God. This guide will help you through essential practices such as diving into the Bible, talking to…

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cry.” The sweet gal sitting across from me wiped the tear from her cheek, embarrassed, and a little surprised her tears made an appearance at all. “I don’t want you to think I’m not trusting God,” she continued. After decades of working with women, I’ve noticed that many of…

Not long ago I ran into a gal who confessed, “Right now, in the midst of raising two small children and struggling to figure out how to keep our marriage happy, I’m desperate for some hope, and most of my friends are, too.” Hope. We all need it, don’t we? Lack of hope causes women (and…

That relationship. Yeah, that one. When you began the relationship, you didn’t sign up for heartache or headaches, did you? Oh sure, you know conflict is part of life. Everyone knows. What you didn’t know was how deeply the spouse, child, friend, coworker, or church would wound you. But here you are. The conflict happened.…

Hey Friend! In honor of the release of my latest book, Healthy Conflict, Peaceful Life: a Biblical Guide to Communicating Thoughts, Feelings, and Opinions with Grace, Truth, and Zero Regret we’re celebrating on the blog (cue confetti!!)  If you’re here from the P31 Encouragement for Today devotion–welcome! Since no celebration is complete without gifts, I’m…

Have you ever dreaded a hard conversation? Did you wonder, How do I even begin? Years ago, a friend and I planned to meet for lunch at a restaurant halfway between us, which was still a forty-minute drive. Moments before I reached the restaurant, I received a text: “Oops! Should have texted you earlier, but…

At Christmas people from every nation and every tongue will celebrate the birth of Jesus. They’ll attend church, sing songs, read scripture, light a candle. It’s only fitting. Christmas changed everything. Because of Christmas our sins can be forgiven. Because of Christmas we can have the hope of heaven. Because of Christmas we know what…

I grabbed my journal and started to write, “I’m thankful for…” But I stopped. Instead, I wrote “Thank you, God, for…” The small shift in focus made all the difference. When we celebrate a holiday like Thanksgiving (or even when we’re “counting our blessings” on a day not set aside to give thanks), our natural…

If I can figure it out by myself, I will. What? You, too? We’re the “get-‘er-done” type gals; women you can count on. We’re resourceful, responsible, and reliable. These qualities serve us well. Until they don’t. Some things can’t be figured out alone. Some things are too heavy to bear, some are too deep to…