Category: Growing in Christ
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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 with chronic pain, his challenges were much more significant. We knew from the start that our lifestyle would be shaped…
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Do Not, For the Sake of…
What makes you lose your cool with or about someone? I have my own list. I’m sure you can think of a few personality traits, habits, or opinions that tempt you to anger and impatience. Sometimes, addressing those things that drive us up the wall requires confrontation. But sometimes, the things that bother us aren’t…
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My Favorite Tree
Meet my favorite tree. If you look closely you’ll see that only half this tree’s trunk is present, and there’s no middle inside. Still, it bears leaves every year, and its branches stretch higher and higher. Against the odds, this deformed tree is strong because of its roots. Every time I see it, I am…
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Sometimes Growing is Shrinking
Someone told me recently that living within our God-given limits is good. A lot of someones have told me similar things, almost like I’m bad with limits… Ahem. God has been reinforcing the message, putting limits in place that I simply can’t control or push out of the way. I’m having to rethink some commitments,…
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I Didn’t Know Good Gifts Took Courage Too
A long-prayed-for dream is coming true, and the more real it becomes, the more terrified I am. I didn’t know it took courage to receive the good gifts too. Favorite verses like “Take Heart!” always bring hardship to my mind. I associate bravery with holding fast when everything goes wrong. So I’ve been surprised to…
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I Should…
I should really be doing something productive. I should really give her a call back. I should really make that appointment. I should really stop daydreaming. I should really do so very many things, but most of all, I should probably stop dwelling so much on the “I shoulds.” Perhaps you know what I mean,…
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Counting Down, Being Still, Laying Up
I’m a countdown kind of person. If I’m looking forward to something, I’m counting down the days. If I’m enjoying something, I’m counting down how much time is left before it has to end. If I’m struggling, I’m counting down to when I think things will be okay again. The benefit of this is that…
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But Jesus…
There were big things to do. There throngs willing to listen who needed to hear. There were disciples seeking training and teaching. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” –Luke 5:16 Jesus often didn’t do what we’d expect, and calls us to live differently, too. Join me at Recharge Wednesday for a list of…
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The Total Sum of God’s Character
“Choose two words to describe yourself.” I cringe when this common prompt arises. Being quite literal, I immediately think of the exceptions and nuances to an answer. One of my adverbs might be “organized.” However, while my planner and inbox fit the description, my car and desk certainly don’t. Another might be “friendly,” but that…
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Is This Worship?
One of my best friends recently remarked that “we seem to think of obedience and disobedience as merely works, not worship.” This stopped me in my tracks. I tend to see obedience as an action or a task to complete, something to check off the list as an accomplishment. With that mindset, I overlook that…