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One More Christmas
Guest post: Madison Hedegard {16} You’d think by now I’d be used to lying on my bed sobbing, asking God, “Why?” It’s a rude awakening for a child, the discovery that the world is not what you thought it was. And my revelations came like a freight train in the middle of a ghost town, each revelation stronger than the last. This time, it was a phone call from my dad, one July afternoon. After talking about the physical condition of my mother, I asked the question that I had waited four days to hear. “So… how’s mom really?” A brief silence followed, then a sigh. “She has Amnesia.” The…
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Whose Words Do You Believe?
Guest blogger: Aimee Nelson Sitting at my kitchen table a few days ago, I hear my five-year-old yell from the patio, “I am strong, I am big.” Hearing those words I stopped what I was doing and decided to listen in on the conversation he was having with his friend. I hear him say again, “I am strong. I am big. I can do it. I can do anything!” This time I hear his voice quiver. As I continue to listen I no longer hear their voices but the stomping of little feet. Suddenly this five-year-old ball of anger comes running in and stands in front of me. Arms folded,…
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Should Women Work?
God embedded gifts within each of us before the beginning of time to perform specialized tasks here on Earth (Ephesians 2:10). Actually, the calling God places on our hearts can never be withdrawn;, according to Romans 11:29 it’s irrevocable. Kind of like a divine Mission Impossible assignment ordained by the Father. This revelation is freeing. As a homeschooling mother of four, I often hear strangers say, “I could never homeschool. I’m not sure how you do it.” I typically respond by saying it’s not for everyone—because it isn’t. There are many people on the opposite side of this camp who are just as passionate about keeping Christian kids in schools to…
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8 Tips to Beat Depression
When Sabal’s fingers touched my face, I knew morning had arrived. Through a thick fog and swollen eyes, my body slogged along until I sipped cups of morning coffee. That was me three years ago, in summer of 2010. Depression haunted my soul and felt much like I stood behind a plexiglass wall and couldn’t break out. Of my litany of medical struggles I’ve encountered, despair continued to be the number one topic that my friends secretly would ask about as soon as I mentioned my internal suffering. One hint of my history, and question after question followed. I wanted to snap out of it…but couldn’t. I wondered what was wrong with…
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Prayer Or A Swift Kick In The Backside
I want to quit today. Don’t want to write any longer. The manuscript deadline is in 10 days. Distractions surround me: evicting tenants, renovating a trashed rental, setting appointments for potential new renters, and finding time to love on my babies. It’s enough to make me want to pitch everything. Everything. To hit delete and run outside to play, because I feel I have nothing else to give. Scooped raw internally without an ounce of insight left. Today I opened an old InTouch devotional to find peace, and wouldn’t you know, the suggested verses hit me like a spirit-filled wave. Proverbs 2: My son, if you accept my words and store…
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9 Tips To Helping Someone Newly Diagnosed
Just like each of us are created with different likes and dislikes—reaching out can look differently from one patient to the next. This is tough. But from personal experience, the following actions brought the greatest joy during the ugliest times in my life. 1) Food. There’s a reason most churches have a meal ministry. When you’re bone-tired, the last thing you want to do is shop or research recipes or stand in front of any type of oven. Bring them a meal. Call first, of course. But please avoid saying, “If there’s anything I can do, let me know.” I rarely took anyone up on this offer. Instead say, “We want…
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Life Is Not Fair
Life is a funny thing. Or maybe not so funny. Today is a day I never want to forget. My favorite oncologist, Dr. McGarry, started chemo this morning. This is difficult for many reasons. First, we were both diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at a young age (he was 17, I was 25). Second, his re-occurrence of a different cancer shows no one is exempt from this disease. He ate healthy, ran, and seemed in the best shape of his life. That doesn’t seem fair. He’s a good person, loves God. Then I found out a friend miscarried—someone who struggled to get pregnant and prayed for God to bless her with a baby.…
