Quarantine- a state, period, or place of isolation in which people or animals that have arrived from elsewhere or been exposed to infectious or contagious disease are placed. A time when some of the funniest videos I've ever seen have been posted. A time when the world has gone quiet. A time when families are spending more time together than ever before. A time when panic has caused a shortage on toilet paper. A time when America rises to the occasion. Quarantine. A time when businesses are making masks. A time when neighbors are checking on neighbors. A time when God was invited ... View Post
Another Year Around the Sun
It's been another year around the Sun for my farmer. It's hard to believe. These years seem to be just sailing by. Yet this year has been hard. The Joy Thief began to set up camp and we didn't catch it early enough. He's dug in his heels and my farmer fights each day to trust and wrestle. He rises each day before dawn. He tends to animals and details of farm life before most of us have fluttered awake. He never complains. Equipment breaks, the cold wind howls, milk prices drop, milk production drops; yet he perseveres. Every day. He loves his family and works to be at functions ... View Post
Even In Our Darkest Moments We Still Carried Hope
A kid jumps off a bridge. A woman commits suicide; a teacher, wife, mother. Another student in my hometown takes his life. And I can't make sense of this world. Why one who wanted to live is gone and these that don't want to live take their own life. It all swims around in my head and my heart feels like it wants to burst. I can't imagine what it must feel like to have no hope; to not want to live. Because even in my darkest moments, when the grief was overbearing and the pieces of my shattered heart were scattered everywhere as my son left this ... View Post
I’m Celebrating Mother’s Day Today
Sunday was Mother's Day. I spent the day reeling from the loss of our son. Being mom to less. A forever change. Wrestling with moving on and wanting to be stuck. In the back of my mind haunting me was my mom. But I couldn't even think about her. There are some places that are too tender to venture. Your heart just can't take it. So you push it aside and deal with the grief in front of you. I am not speaking of stuffing or ignoring. It's like that delicious book you want to finish. You wait until the quiet, when you can savor the characters and the ending of such a terrific journey. It's like ... View Post
What Does It Look Like To Praise God In The Midst Of The Storm?
Psalm 92 It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, Don't you know it is good to praise the Lord? It is the cry of my heart. When troubles come and the darkness settles. It is hard to give thanks and praise. When the bills pile high and the day gets crazy. It is hard to praise. When your son is killed and you watch your children grieve, it is hard to give thanks and praise. Yet God continually encourages us to ... View Post
Walking Into Praise
An unexpected phone call. Psalm 8:4 what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Words of encouragement from a stranger; now friend. Messages of hope intended for my farmer. Compassion and grace right on the other end of the phone. Unexpected. Humbling. Hard to take. Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. I call my farmer. I share the encouragement. Hoping to lift his spirits. He asks me "Why am I so depressed when so many are praying?" I remind him of ... View Post
