Holding Fast in the Storms of Life

Sally Clarkson

Sitting in the dark shadows of my small cozy library as the sun went behind the mountain, found me and one of my older children talking quietly of struggles, challenges, battles of life, and long term endurance. The deep friendship, shaped over years of shared life, had knit our souls quite together.

I wasn't expecting this moment to be a memorable one. Just a normal moment in the dusk of day, that shaped a soul-satisfying memory.

"Mama," my grown child tenderly whispered, "One of the greatest things you have ever accomplished is to keep our family together through love, faith, laying down your own life, and enduring with as much grace as Jesus could give you, so that our lives could be whole, healthy and strong. I know that only God will know the ways you have chosen to give and serve and forgive,  when you had to make the choices to do so. But all of us kids have benefitted because you were willing to weather the storms of life for us and hold us together."

Sometimes, I think mamas hold the whole world together. Their work is that important.

To Linger Longer: Treasuring Person Over Productivity

To Linger Longer: Treasuring Person Over Productivity

Ruth Simons
Marriage/Relationships

His answer caught me a bit by surprise. "I would love it if you just hugged me...longer."

In a season of difficult decisions and busy schedules, I had asked my husband, "What can I DO to help you?" I wanted to make phone calls, create to-do lists...take things off his plate. I longed to right the wrongs and fix things. Well aware of all that had to be done in the day to day, I rarely paused for long displays of affection; I was too efficient for hugs.

Wagging Fingers or Bended Knees? {on teaching our children about the sins of others}

Karen Ehman

It was a bright, sunny spring day with puffy clouds in the sky. My children and I were returning home from a busy morning of running errands. Since we were ahead of schedule for once, I decided we would stop at a local coffeehouse to grab a refreshing treat. I love the coconut lattes there and my children love their green tea– fruit smoothies. We could sip our drinks and talk about what the evening held, which included grilling out and a trip to the local baseball diamond where both of my sons had games scheduled for later that evening.

As we rounded the corner of the building to reach the front door, a teenage boy stood near the door with his back facing us. I thought he looked familiar. His navy blue coat and curly brown hair seemed to belong to the son of a friend of mine.  As we got closer, I saw him turn his head to the side and then realized it was my friend’s son. I spoke his name cheerfully to greet him. The reaction I got was not what I expected.

You Will Never Influence the World By Trying to Be Like It

Summer Saldana

I'm sure I'm not the only mama out there has often heard the statement, "But mom! So and so is allowed to do it!" Or, "Everyone else has one..." Or, "Why can't we just be like everyone else???"

And what do we always say in return?

"You are not so and so, and I am not so and so's mom, and our family has their own way of doing things."

And while we might hear this more clearly from our children and have a strong reaction against it, what about all the times we have a similar dialogue within our own hearts and minds?

10 Great Things About Having Teenagers

10 Great Things About Having Teenagers

Angela Richter

We are always hearing how having teenagers is tough!  And it can be!  Our children are becoming young men and women and  adolescence isn’t  always easy.    There are skin breakouts, hormones,emotions they don’t always know what to do with , and coming to grips with who they are. However, there are wonderful things about having teens that can bless us in amazing ways. These truly can be the “best years” of parenting and bring memories that will last a lifetime!

The more intentional you are with your children while they are growing up, the better things will be with your child in their teen years. 

5 Verses Every Mom Can Cling To & Count On

Lisa Jacobson

I love being a mom.

I love caring for our children. Guiding them. Teaching them. And simply hugging them.

Motherhood is such a beautiful thing. 

But that doesn't mean I always sleep well at night. Or that I never worry.  You see, I start to wonder if I'm a good enough mother . . .  or at least the right one for this child. 

Because -- between you and me -- I sometimes agonize over these gifts I've been given. These children of mine. 

And I question whether I really have what it takes and if they're gonna turn out okay in the end.

Load More