Stories from a Good Life
Ordinary people – extraordinary God
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Our Newfound Love for Weed
My husband is the cook of our household. I can cook, but I don’t enjoy it the way he does. He can dream up huge meals and countless courses. I, on the other hand, think of all the people I can invite to dinner. We joke about how we would be starving without him, but…
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How do You Know When it’s Time to Move On?
”We are very conscientious” I commented thoughtfully to my husband. “Extremely dutiful.” He nodded. “Maybe too much so?” The conversation took place over a few minutes in the car, but it lingered with us for days. We are so used to being perseverant and hanging in there, that sometimes it requires a minor earthquake for us…
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Will You Stand in the Gap for the Unsung Heroes?
The man in front of me was young, but wise beyond his years. He was patient, but adamant; tender, yet strong. Together with his wife, he provided safe surroundings for a fragile little girl, all too familiar with suffering. He was telling a story that used to be ours; a story of vulnerability, of crushed…
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How do We Teach Our Children about God?
I was invited to speak to a group of young mothers. They had sent me a couple of good questions in advance, such as how to communicate God to small children. As I was about to leave it occurred to me that it would be a good idea to ask my kids how they had…
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The Offensive Jesus
The other day I popped by a charity shop. I felt like a time traveler, stepping into years gone by and memories long-forgotten. The store was gigantic and overflowing with furniture, clothes, china, books, and CDs. All these things had at some point held a significance to somebody and now they didn’t. Among treasures and…
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The Annoying, the Unlovable and the Gold
I’m sick of how she always takes the last one, without ever considering the needs of others. She’s so annoying, she’ll never change! And that new guy? He seems to think that he’s in charge of this place, doesn’t he get that there’s a certain order to things? And those snarky comments? What does he…
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What was On the Cross?
Did you ever stop to ponder what was nailed to the cross? You may think the answer is obvious. Like when the pastor visited Sunday school, thinking that he’d start off with a joke to connect with the children: “What’s brown, bushy-tailed and jumps from tree to tree?” After a long silence a brave kid…
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Am I Willing to Pay the Cost?
As we enter the Easter week I’ve been thinking of the price that Jesus paid. He gave his life so that I don’t only get to keep mine, but I get an eternal life. Just like that. At no cost of my own. Salvation is free. However, walking with Jesus might cost me. My Savior,…
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A Sneak Peek into Family Life
My kids know their mom all too well. I put it down to my good heart and not too bad communication skills. They attribute it to their excellent insight into human behavioral science. In other words, they know how to play their mom. One day I asked my son to help me out, and he…
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Finding Joy in Troubled Times
Recently, a friend went home to be with Jesus. His wife described their life together so beautifully: “It’s been a hard and painful journey, but we chose to dance in the rain.” Tears welled up in my eyes as I read it – tears of sorrow because I sensed her grief, but also tears of…
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