-
The Sword of the Spirit
For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 Two weeks ago, I decided to add family scripture memorization as part of our weekly sabbath meal. If God’s word is the sword of the spirit (the only item in the armor of God listed for offense) and I’m sending my kids out to battle every day, they need that sword to be easily accessible. To be honest, I thought it was going to go over…
-
The Bread of Life
It’s been almost a year and a half since my family has tried to intentionally incorporate the sacredness of the sabbath. It’s been beautiful on some weekends, and on others it’s been messy. There have been weeks it was skipped altogether, especially in the irregularity of summer rhythms. But I’m holding onto it with clenched fists because I have seen its power in my family’s life and my soul knows that it’s needed. No wonder God put it in the original ten! Just two weeks ago, I decided to try something new with our observation of the sabbath. Growing up, one of my favorite meals of the week was my…
-
Spiritual Bank Accounts
I remember sliding into the cream-colored pew every Sunday morning, often “dressed to impress” my Lord and Savior who no doubt cared very much about whether or not I wore a dress or pants. Once seated, I remember eyeing the program to see what songs we would sing, who was performing the special solo, and what the topic of the sermon would be. At the music minister’s instruction, we would grab one of the hardback hymnals and turn to number 582. “We’ll be singing verses 1, 2, and 4!” The organ and piano began playing in unison, and everyone starting singing. Rewind and repeat every week. Hymns were not my…
-
Wilderness Seasons
The wilderness. It’s never enjoyable. But as someone who has just wandered around in one, I understand its importance. If you find yourself in a wilderness today, I want to offer you some encouragement and perspective. Most of us are familiar with the story of Moses. In short, God raised up an unqualified man to lead his people out of a life of slavery. However, due to disbelief and complaining, it took them forty years for a trip that should have taken less than two weeks. Early in the story when God is commissioning Moses through the burning bush, Moses asks God by what name should he refer to him…
-
Part II: 60 Days of Anguish
Robbed. Last September, God made a way for me to leave my career, I just had to make it through the 23-24 school year. I spent almost 10 months giddy with excitement over what this new season would mean for me and my family. A slower paced life, less stress and anxiety, more time to focus on family, more time to pursue passions. Fast forward to the summer when I was only 3 weeks away from starting this new, incredible season. One in which I had high hopes and big dreams. But on July 23rd, my life froze in time with the grand entrance of the symptoms that sent me…
-
Part I: Mayday
My body was not my own. Heart rate spikes, nausea, facial tingling, light-headedness, chest discomfort, limb pain. I tried to figure out every logical cause for these random physical maladies that had struck me on the eve of my entire family skipping town, leaving me with a gloriously quiet house. This particular week was supposed to be a highlight of my summer: space to breathe and recharge. Instead, I found myself crouched on my closet floor, crying from these physical symptoms that were holding me hostage. Not wanting Brent to cancel his trip with the kids to visit family, I dropped them off at the airport the following day and…
-
Mischief Managed
This week I found myself wondering how many hours I will spend over my lifetime cleaning, decluttering, and reorganizing different areas in my home. How many minutes of this precious gift of a life will be shrouded in stress and anxiety because my domestic surroundings have a hand-holding relationship with my mental health. Our family, much like many others, routinely complete the cycle of purchase, place, purge. My husband and I are constantly trying to figure out how to tetris our closets or cabinets and come up with storage solutions to house all of our belongings. Belongings that once seemed like a blessing now the sepulcher for the illness called…
-
Restricted Vehicles
A girl stands, hand tightly tucked into her Father’s, at the edge of the ocean, water lapping at her toes and wind whipping her tendrils of hair. She can taste the salt in the air every time she inhales. As far as she can see are vast waters that appear to spread with no end. She looks up at her Father, whose gaze is fixed on her instead of the horizon. He smiles and speaks confidently. You asked to cross the ocean, and now it’s time. Everything you need is inside of you. The girl looks one last time at the infinite water, unclasps her hand from her Father’s, and…