6 Ways to Overcome Sadness

“We’re overcome with deep sadness to be at this point.”

That was my friend’s response to the hard place she and her husband had found themselves.

Her beloved mother had been in and out of institutions because of mental illness and now, they had to make a hard, soul-tearing decision about her guardianship.

For years, they rallied, they loved, they emptied their savings for the best treatment centers, and they fought, trusted, and never gave up hope. And, now they felt like they were giving up her mom to an uncertain future.

What Is on the Menu at God’s Table

When I was a college student in Florida, Rose was a widow who lived nearby. Many of us students regularly visited her.

One evening, my friend, Mike, popped in at dinner time and Rose invited him in. They visited for a few moments … that is, until Mike noticed her kitchen table was set for two.

“Oh Rose,” he said, “I didn’t realize you were having a guest for dinner. I will scoot out.”

She stopped him, and explained that ever since her husband died over 30 years earlier she always set two places at her table.

Mike assumed the second place setting was to remind her of her late husband, but Rose corrected him.

What Your Response Should Be to Hardship

Don’t you just sometimes get tired of dealing with hard stuff?!

You know … strained relationships, difficult bosses, constant conflict, illness, financial stress … hard stuff!

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Our hands can droop and our knees can wobble. We can look over our shoulder and think about turning back.

How to Change Your What If to What Is

When Phil and I were newlyweds, we were in Wal-Mart one day getting some duplicate keys made. As we waited at the counter, my cell phone rang, and I turned slightly away from Phil to take the call.

(By the way, if you’re a new reader, this might be a good time to tell you I’m blind.)

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When I hung up a few minutes later, I reached out to put my arm around Phil’s waist. As I did, I slipped my hand down and patted him on his—well, you know. We were newlyweds, after all!

As I did, I heard him say, “Jennifer, what are you doing?”

What Comfort Looks Like When Your Heart Is Broken

On February 18th, my whole world changed. My hero dad closed his eyes to this world and opened them to heaven.

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I had no idea grief felt so much like fatigue. I didn’t know it would make me feel hollow. My brain knew what death was, but my heart was unaware that death was such a tearing—and an emptying.

Even though it’s been a few weeks, I am still stupefied by the fog I am walking through. It just feels thick and like life should be in slow motion.

The 4 C’s of Bible Study

I don’t know how it is with you when you read Scripture, but often my mind wanders.

You know, one second I am reading about Moses on Mt. Sinai, and the very next second I am wondering where my black yoga pants are and why my mail is now being delivered at 3:00 instead of noon! Can I get a witness?

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Sometimes focus is hard.

So, here is an easy (and by easy, I mean easy) way to stay focused as you read Scripture.