light in darkness | peace in chaos | hope in uncertainty
Wave after wave of excruciating labor coursed through her body. When the insides of a woman begin to cramp and push, there is an intensity and purpose which will not be hindered. Lack of control over what is happening in her can lead to despair. From the depths of her being my daughter summoned the … Continue reading On the Other Side of Pain
Remember taking multiple choice tests? They were a favorite of mine because even if I didn’t know the answer, there was a 25% chance I’d get it right anyway. If the teacher threw in a silly option the odds increased greatly by process of elimination. Decision making can be similar to the multiple choice test. … Continue reading How to Decide When You Can’t Decide
I am excited to welcome my friend, Andy Vaughn, to Treasures Hidden as a guest blogger. Andy is a kindred hope sharer and Jesus follower. I suppose I can get over the fact that he is an avid dog-lover. And I must confess I'm totally jealous of his new espresso machine and wish that he'd … Continue reading Fractured Faith: Standing Tall When Goliath Doesn’t Fall
There's a popular notion out there that God's design for marriage is not our happiness, but to make us more like Jesus. I have read articles and book summaries stating that our loving Father isn't at all concerned if we are happy in marriage. We need to stick it out no matter what, confess our … Continue reading Hope for a Happy Marriage
Have you ever wanted to run away? Yeah, me, too. There can be days and times when running seems the only viable solution. But, I have found that when I most feel like running is when I most need to stand. The kids are crazy. The house is a disaster. The marriage is broken. The job … Continue reading Soul Whisperer
I have a moonflower vine. It grows on a trellis just outside my sunroom. Most every night I peek outside to see if it’s blooming. The flowers are as big as my hand, smell faintly sweet, and have heart-shaped leaves. It is by far one of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. I’m … Continue reading Of Moonflowers, Light, and Love
Remember playing hide and seek as a kid? My family used to play hide and seek on my grandparent’s farm after dark. The person who was “It” counted and everyone else scattered. Light from the house windows and moon eclipsed by trees and bushes cast shadowy dens across the property. It was hide and seek … Continue reading Why is God Hiding?
It was such a pleasant evening. Double date with new friends. Not too hot out. Clear skies. Great food and conversation. A nice walk in the park. Then, putt-putt. You know, miniature golf. Okay, now I have to tell you – mini golf isn’t my favorite. It’s a simple, yet frustratingly difficult game. I like … Continue reading Lessons from Putt-Putt
The ancient tree in our yard lost a branch. Not just a little branch either. The air was still. The day was sunny. There had been no storm. No rain to speak of for weeks. Pop. Crack. Down it came. The wound was jagged, gaping. This mighty maple with roots so deep now bears the … Continue reading Such Trees Are Not Bothered
The following is an entry straight from the pages of my journal scrawled during one of the dark times. My heart is pounding at the thought of clicking "Publish." It's raw. A peek into the pit. This is what it looks like when your life is on hold and it's not a pretty picture, but … Continue reading When Someone’s Life is on Hold
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