A Confession

Just a few nights ago, I went out to dinner with my husband. And as I’m sitting there, I suddenly have this deep desire to confess something to him. Ever been in that place where the words are coming out and, in your mind, you’re wondering what in the world is going on. What possessed you to even bring up such a thing?

Read the rest at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Spiritual Warfare

Want to see an amazing video that perfectly depicts the battle we're in? I urge you to go here and watch this amazing dramatization of what Jesus does for all of us.

The Great Hope Maker

Last week, I posted about enduring hope. At the end of the article, I included this verse as part of a prayer.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Since then, I’ve found myself coming back to it frequently. (I also wrote it on an index card in the most delicious shade of pink—how can I miss it?) I love picking apart God’s Word. I’ve found that just about everything we’re told or shown in the Bible has at least two layers or two meanings. Isn’t that just like God? Nothing wasted and everything to gain.

Read the rest at Spiritually Unequal Marriage...

Hope That Endures

How do we keep hoping when everything we see tells us there is no hope?

The very definition of faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrew 11:1). But how do we apply that to situations that leave us hope-less? So often I see the struggle of the unequally yoked spouse as a battle to simply hang on to our own faith. In the midst of the adversity the mismatched marriage naturally brings, we find ourselves praying, hoping for our spouse’s salvation. Day after day we petition God. Months or even years pass with no visible change. How do we continue? How do we keep fighting and not give up?

Read the rest at Spiritually Unequal Marriage.

Another Pivotal Moment...

I stood in my kitchen the other day, chatting with my 17 year old daughter. I found myself talking to her about something I wanted her input on. As I spoke, I realized there'd been a shift in our relationship.

My daughter attended a summer precollege art program at California College of the Arts. A very transforming month for her and a type of preparation time for me. I tasted what it will be like when she goes to college next year.

So there I stood in my kitchen, chatting with this amazing young woman, and at the same time, I realized we were at the first stages of friendship. My first thought? Now I know how my mom felt.

When I mentioned what I was feeling to my daughter, her face lit with a smile and she said, "I know! Isn't it great?"

Kids are amazing. They enter the world as these tiny, helpless little beings, who immediately wrap our hearts (and stomachs in knots) and then over time transform into amazing, independent adults set on a path of their own. Where did the time go?

I've loved every stage of their growing up, and I'll admit that sometimes I really miss the babies they were. But I'm enjoying this new stage in our relationship.

I fly to Florida next week to see my mom. Now I get to tell her, "I totally get it."