Untying the Apron Strings
Oh me! I’ve had many aprons and untying them wasn’t always easy — especially when those strings were wrapped around those I loved the most. The phrase “untying the apron strings” is often about our children and grandchildren and having to release our grip on them as they step into adulthood. ADULTHOOD? How can it…
A New Pope, A Shared Calling
This is old news, but I just have to comment! With the release of white smoke from the Sistine Chapel, the world was given a new leader of the Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIV. Elected by a two-thirds majority of cardinals in the sacred setting of the Conclave, this moment wasn’t just historical — it…
“She Opens Her Mouth with Wisdom” — Hey Girls, That’s You and Me!
Happy Mother’s Day to all moms — and to every woman with a heart that nurtures, comforts, teaches, and tends to others with that unmistakable maternal instinct. Let’s be honest: not every woman has children of her own. But oh, how many have mothered the world around them in powerful, quiet, faithful ways. You’ve offered…
Life is Short. Heaven’t Isn’t.
Isn’t that just the truth? That little phrase packs a punch — AND a perspective check up. I want to live this life with gusto. Strong and long! I want to soak up every sunrise, laugh till I cry, and love hard and well. But this life? It’s just a blink compared to the forever…
Giant Slayer Training Starts in the Fields
David was the youngest of eight brothers, a shepherd boy armed with nothing more than a sling, some stones, and a whole lot of confidence in his God. To most, he was just an errand boy — delivering bread and cheese to the real warriors. But what his brothers didn’t see — and what Goliath…
I Gotchu!
I’ve heard it plenty at the drive-thru window. “I gotchu!” the voice says cheerfully. Then I get home and — surprise! — my fries are missing. Nope. You didn’t “got me” at all. Curious, I looked it up. Webster’s says, “I gotchu” means loyalty, friendship, and protection through hard times. Sounds reassuring, right? But let’s…
Trusting God in the Waiting
On Wednesday nights, there is no need to wait for dinner – our church offers us a delicious family meal. Last Wednesday night’s meal included the salad bar and chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. Yum! Between our church’s family meal and my Heavenly Father’s daily bread – all I need to…
Unshakable Faith
We’re living in a mighty shaky world, aren’t we? The ground beneath us shifts with every headline, phone call, or unexpected twist. Just when we think we’ve got our footing, life throws a curveball. But there’s one way to stand firm when everything around us feels like it’s unraveling — we keep our eyes on…
The Power of Prayer: A Call to Action for Our Nation
Today, May 1st, marks the National Day of Prayer in America — a tradition older than America itself. Even before we had our Declaration of Independence, we had prayer. Before liberty rang from the mountains, it rose first from the hearts of men and women humbling themselves before God. This past Monday, Carl and I,…
Spiritual Doula: From Death to Life
A dear friend recently told me she had the privilege of standing backstage at our church as several precious souls — young and old — were preparing to be baptized. She said, “I felt like a spiritual doula… standing witness as they passed from death to life.” Her words stirred something deep in me. I’ve…