Meet Abigail Ruth Brenner
So I’ve been on a bit of an adventure… Will you join me? (And my 9-year-old imaginary friend named Abigail who I’d love for you to meet, plus her people?) I’ve been trying to find... Read more
I’m Tired, Lord {30 Day Devotional Series}
Tired minds tend to go in loops. You start with one thought, get lost on the way to the next, and come back to where you started. Each day for the next 30 days, I’ll... Read more
A Hopeful Habit When Your Future Is Hard to Predict
I ordered a new wall calendar out of habit. But when I opened it to begin filling in plans, I realized…I had only one. Surgery. After that, only rough guesses, and they differ by doctor.... Read more
Life without the Force
“Life without using force.” Sounds very Star Wars, doesn’t it? But this is essentially what I answered when someone asked me what I’ve been learning in a hard, limiting season. I’ve always been a doer... Read more
2025 Good List
Another year, another list of some good gifts I’ve been grateful for over the past 365 days… Thank you, Lord! What’s on your 2025 good list? Read more
Come Thou Unexpected Jesus
It’s wonderful to know what to expect as Christmas traditions begin– our beloved old faux tree, the snowglobes with nativity scenes, the cozy lights hung up. And of course, our advent “calendar.” We hang a... Read more
A Ramp Out of the Worry Rut
I always chuckled at the homemade turn lanes… Two solitary, stick-straight country roads criss-crossed at perfect 90-degree angles. But over the years, locals decided they didn’t want to make such a decisive turn at the... Read more
Failing at the Right Things
While we were newlyweds, my husband visited a seminary he was considering attending. His tour guide, an older student, gave him this sage advice: “If getting a ‘C’ in class means getting an ‘A’ in... Read more
Why I Love Praying ‘All is Yours’
I don’t remember how or when it started, but at some point, I frequently began praying, “all is yours.” Many of my prayers are punctuated with this simple recollection. It’s a refrain that sticks with... Read more
On Being Weak Well
“In sickness and in health” was part of our relationship before we ever said our vows. When Matt and I met, he had already been diagnosed with a couple of chronic illnesses. Although I lived... Read more
Peace in Jesus is Unique
This post is a reshare of what I shared last week as a little experiment on Substack. If you’d like to receive a weekly Bite-Size Peace Devotion, you can sign up below. **I thought I... Read more
Introducing Bite-Size Peace Devotions
Once upon a time in college, I was responsible for planning a chapel service. I racked my brain for weeks. Who should speak? What topic would serve best? How could I format it all to... Read more