There are times when I’d just like to knock the teeth right out of life.  Lately, I’ve felt like that a lot! It seems every time I turn around, I encounter someone who is facing tremendous battles; struggles for their marriage, their life, their health.  

Sure the global economy and political unrest is disturbing.  But, people seem to have enough on their plates with their own lives and issues.  Recently, I’ve been encountering [...]

I know exactly what she wants.  I can tell by the look on her face, the way her eyebrows twist and her nose crinkles. 

“Mawm…Ineadtah ooze baffoom,” she utters, jaw clenched and head tilting. 

“Wow.  That’s amazing!  You must have really practiced mumbling, because I can’t understand a word you said!  How cool.  Let me try…  ’Eye wuld leyek tuh unnarstaund ewe.’  Did you get it?”

“Yes.  (condescension ooze.)  ‘I would like to understand you.’”  

“Oh… you’re so good!  I’m really going to have to work on my mumbling skills.  You’re so much more advanced than I am.”

“Ugh!  (scowl. severe lip protrusion. deep breath.)  Mawm…Ineadtah ooze baffoom!”

“I know what you’re saying is important, but I just can’t understand you.  Your mumbling is so perfect.  You’re going to have to use your words with me.”

“UUUggghh!  Mom, I need to use the bathroom!”

“Oh, wow.  Well, let’s go find a restroom!”

There is a sick little joy I get in this; a pleasure I never knew existed until I had a foster daughter.  

Continue reading quit mumbling!

I hear it all the time.  People are tired of the norm, weary of the average, bored of commonplace life.  They want more than easy-breezy Christianity.  They want an adrenaline-filled relationship with God and a life that is truly worth living.

The crazy thing?  God wants them to have it, more than they can possibly imagine.

Continue reading hunger beyond words

Recently, I’ve discovered that talking with a first grader can often be like our chats with God.

The other day, Ladybug flew through the doorway, bursting with excitement and belted out, “Momma!  Do you know what it means when the leaves start to fall?”

“No.  What does it mean?”

“Winter’s coming!”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes!  My teacher said that…” and she was off expounding the bounty of her first-grade knowledge with the thrill of fresh discovery.  As I sat there, pretending not to know every bit of info she was sharing, I found myself rediscovering life with her, and falling deeper in love with her wonder.

Continue reading use your words