My 6-year old had a hard day at school last week. The reason for her struggle? The assistant teacher who was usually in her classroom that day was absent. It may not sound like a lot, but it was to her. She’s on the autism spectrum, so any change is hard, of course. But let’s… Continue reading
Share the Wins
I vividly remember reading in all those early years parenting books about when to take your baby to the dentist and what to expect. What I don’t remember reading, however, was what to do when your child doesn’t act like all the other kids in the office; more specifically, when they howl and fight like… Continue reading
In the Hard Places
Today it hit an unbelievable 65 degrees in Upstate New York. And what were my children doing on this beautiful, long-awaited spring day? They were both languishing in their rooms having a time out and “thinking about their behavior.” 😫 Having been unceremoniously marched back inside after a relentless spell of bickering, disobedience, and unkind… Continue reading
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Celebrating the Children God Gave Us
We took our seats at the large, rectangular table in the center of the meeting room, facing an imposing panel of educators and evaluators. As the chairperson cleared her throat and picked up the stack of papers with my daughter’s name at the top, we steeled ourselves for what she was about to say. What… Continue reading
Treasured Traditions
We all have them, don’t we? Those treasured family traditions that truly capture the magic and joy of the Christmas season. We have our fair share of them in our house, too. The Christmas trees (yes, plural this year!) are up and decorated, the singing Christmas dog (don’t even ask) has a new set of… Continue reading
Reflections on the Voice of God
The voice of God is powerful and majestic.The voice of God is still and small. The voice of God thunders with fire and hail.The voice of God sings over us with love. The voice of God speaks the earth into existence.The voice of God cries in a stable in the body of a newborn babe.… Continue reading
Choosing Joy
What word would you use to describe 2020? I can certainly think of a few—and none of them are all too complementary… But one word that does not immediately spring to mind is the word joyful. “Oh remember 2020? That was such joyful year, wasn’t it?” Yeah. I don’t think so. And yet isn’t that… Continue reading
An Invitation to the Impossible
From Mary’s first encounter with the angel to God incarnate making His long awaited appearance in a dusty stable; every page is streaked with improbability; woven with strands of wonder. And for a brief moment, we suspend our disbelief and enter into a world far beyond the limits of our finite understanding, reveling in the… Continue reading
The Unfolding Story
The stage is set. An unlikely cast of characters is waiting in the wings, and the world is preparing to gather once more, relishing the retelling of this familiar story. It’s a story that has everything. Scandal, intrigue, jealousy, trust, surrender, new life, and of course, love. And as we gaze in wonder at the… Continue reading
Waiting on the When
When? This year for so many of us, it’s more of a burden than a question; a heavy weight we have carried as 2020 has marched relentlessly on. And yet here we are 9 months in and the answers are still no clearer than they were in the spring. When will we see our family… Continue reading