By His Grace I Can.

A few months in to this COVID-19 pandemic, someone posted that we are in the same storm, but not the same boat.   That struck a chord with me.   Yes, we may be dealing with similar overarching issues, but the implications and underlying issues are so personal. You may be suffering because of... ...a lay off ...a loved one fighting for their life or another who has passed away because of this terrible virus ...being quarantined at home for too long without respite or help ...family ties are already strained and quarantine has just exacerbated them. ...the panic and paranoia that comes from such a large scale disruption ...getting the virus and struggling through the symptoms and recovery My prayer for months has been, "Please bless those who are suffering because of this pandemic."  Whatever you are facing, I pray that a glimmer of God's love and hope can reach you, and help see you through to the other side. I looked through the last several months and these are...

I don't know about you, but I tend to cringe when I hear this phrase.  "She's a good mom" makes me think that there must be one set of criteria that determines what makes a mother a good one.   In reality, God created each of us  distinctly for  unique missions .   How can a bird fulfill the measure of its creation if it's trying to be like a rhinoceros?  Wouldn't an ant's amazing strength go untapped if it was expending all of its energy trying to look like a butterfly?   How will my family rise to our greatest if I am trying to get them to be like someone else's family?   How will each of my children reach their greatest potential if I am trying to mold them in to a stereotypical box? And won't I do better as a mom if I feel like I'm a good mother instead of comparing and doubting and wondering, and put my intent and energy in to the family I've got with the strengths that I've been given? What I'd love to hear is, "she's...

When we first moved in, the side yard was primarily sandy clay with a few scattered weeds and patches of tall grass.  I had a vision of creating a quaint rock path surrounded by wild flowers. We got to work putting the flagstone pieces down then prepped the soil for sowing the seeds.  Since April, every morning and evening I've watered the hillside.  Because I have very little experience with gardening and even less with wild flowers, I decided to let any green thing grow. About two months later I asked Gretchen, my green-thumbed friend & gardening guru (say that five times fast), to come take a look and help me figure out what was growing.  With ease she identified the different flowers and weeds.  After she left I took my bucket and pulled up most weeds, but left a few varieties because I thought they were harmless and pretty and were helping to keep the soil from eroding. Last week she was over again helping me in my yard.  She glanced at the...