My dear friend, My heart breaks for you regarding the burden you shared with me last evening. I have known you for a long time and have witnessed how you have persevered through many trials. But this one—oh, how deeply grievous it is. I know your head is spinning and your emotions are all over the place. Surprise, grief, fear, confusion, anger, doubt—and yes, shaky hope, were all intermingled as...
Where is your marriage? You may find yourself in one of several seasons. Are you newly married, just getting started, and nervous you won’t “do this marriage thing” right? Are you coming off a major transition—having a child, moving to a new city, or adapting to an empty nest—and not sure that what worked well for your marriage then will be a good fit now? Are you in a rut? Has marriage become...
No matter what the illness, it’s hard to watch children suffer. Even if they haven’t faced a serious illness, most children have experienced the kind of frustration and fear that comes from being sick. Not only is it scary for them to have to face an illness, but it often leaves parents and caregivers feeling scared and anxious too. Being sick can raise big questions in children’s hearts, but it...
Holidays can be really tough, since they naturally draw attention to our losses, both recent and in the distant past. Comparison doesn’t help, as we look at other people’s lives, families, and social gatherings and feel the hole in our heart grow even larger. We just went through another December, which is always a really hard month for our family. Late this past year, we buried my dad. Two...
Some of the most burdensome moments for a parent are when it is clear to those around you that your child is defiant or difficult. What are other people thinking? What does this say about me as a parent? They might assume your child’s behavior is a result of inadequate parenting or something else amiss in your home. People may even be bold enough to share their views, without any sense of the...
