We didn't realize it at the time, but when my husband and I began to consider foster parenting, we may have had a slight "savior complex" going on. Ahem. We knew there would be sacrifices involved. But we counted them worthwhile as we anticipated swooping into places where children were being severely abused and callously neglected, scooping them up into our arms and … [Read more...]
Loving People with Christ’s Love
I'm sure you have had interactions with at least one person in your life that is the antithesis of who you are! Their beliefs, motivations, style, habits, hobbies, etc. are all completely different than yours! Sometimes this blending of personalities can be a harmonious concoction; however, at other times, it can be a dissonant disaster, to say the least. I believe that God … [Read more...]
Loving Your Child Enough
One of my priorities as I write is to always be truthful. Sometimes the truth is beautiful and charming and inspiring. But other times it's messy and ugly and...somehow still inspiring when we allow God to wrench it from our grasping fingers and use it the way He wants to. Here's fair warning that there's some truth of the messy variety ahead. One recent afternoon, my … [Read more...]
Loving God Beyond Our Circumstances
I was recently listening to Rolland Baker, a missionary living in Mozambique, and he gave the most thought-provoking message, It was titled “What will it take?” It led me to ask these questions... Have you ever thought about what it takes for you to love God? Have you ever thought about the reasons you really love God? Do you love Him because of your job promotion? Do you … [Read more...]
Being Loved Well
So, I have this friend. Her name is Christy and we have been friends for about 15 years. Our friendship is not and has never been one where we see each other every day or talk to each other every day. She has lived in many different states over the past several years so our time together has been more about quality than quantity. Although she has been a tremendous influence … [Read more...]