Contemplations of a Mommy "Monk"

She had a choice . Everyone around her seemed unaware that their sinful lifestyles had brought them to this day of consequences crushing in upon their cushy lives. The fear was palpable in the air around the city as they realized that forces greater than they had ever seen were hovering outside their doorstep. They all had a choice that day. But, fear of destruction and even death was not enough to change their hearts from their rebellious nature. She was, however, different. She stood out from the crowd. Not because of her pure unadulterated lifestyle, but because of her heart. She was a sinner just like everyone around her, but she made a choice to overcome her fears, to give in to God, and to trust Him with her life. You probably know her story from childhood songs about a courageous man named Joshua and his conquest of the walled in city of Jericho. The song we sing with lusty voices as we march around the table in our living rooms with hand made construction paper horns blown at r...

On lazy Saturday afternoons, the kids often get restless and I begin to hear, “Mom, can we go rent a movie?” Or, “Can we run down to the store and buy some treats?” Once in the store, the materialistic spirit takes over with requests for new toys, new books, items that so-and-so has or special snacks that we don’t usually keep around the house. Gimmee this, gimmee that… I understand where they are coming from since I have a long wish list myself of items I would love to add to my home and life. Even in tough economic times, we still come from a nation with the “gimmee”s. Part advertising, part upbringing, and part human nature, we are never quite content with what we have but always longing for something a little bit more. Or maybe I just speak for myself today – I struggle with the peaceful contentedness that the apostle Paul claimed to know. Even if the glass of life is 95% full, I have a tendency to look at the 5% of emptiness and wish for more. Read the rest of my devotion at Laced...

A week and a half ago, I spoke to a large group of women about joy. I shared with them that the practice of gratitude can make a huge difference in our outlook on life. And then I realized that I have neglected this practice lately. To seek for joy and to look for gifts from God's hand...it takes constant reminding, but it is so rewarding. I am thankful for... Crescent moon and sparkling stars on a bright dark morning (and as an aside, I'm thankful that I woke up at 5:20 despite my alarm's lack of functioning so I could make it to my excercise class barely on time) Blue skies and sunshine (it's colder today but still feels like spring) A little girl curled up reading Bike rides (soon, I'll be riding a bike too instead of chasing after them on foot...looking a bit ridiculous) Flirting with my husband (I'm still in love with him!) Students who participate and enjoy learning. Friends Volunteers who eagerly throw themselves into projects that I have no talent for (i...

Tricia Goyer has become one of my favorite writers. Her series, Heather Creek , by Guideposts, has continued to capture my heart with the story of the reality of growing teenagers crashing into a life with grandparents and a sleepy farm town. Tricia's characters jump to life off the pages of the book and each individual's personality connects with my own inner challenges. Emily and her wishes to be loved, Charlotte and her insecurity about parenting, and Sam's adolescent angst to find his true identity and place of belonging in the world. The story is authentic and the challenges are just like the ones each of face in daily life. Every Sunrise is the third in this series with new twists and turns and changes for this family to face together. Charlotte Stevenson's world is turned upside down when her daughter, Denise, dies in a tragic car accident. She ran away at eighteen and Charlotte has never forgiven herself. Now, Denise's children, abandoned by their father,...

It started out as a rationalization, an explanation, a little recreating of the truth so I wouldn't look so bad. It wasn't that big of a deal, really. Just a little fudging. God forgives everything anyway, right? And besides, He would understand why I needed to keep that mistake a secret or hide those items from snooping eyes. But, the choices to use little exaggerations or hidden truths started turning into a pattern of speech. Lies became easier to tell and harder to catch before they escaped my lips. That's when I read the story of Cain and Abel with fresh eyes. If you want to read more of this devotion, click on the coffee cup above!