Temporary self-care is no substitute for the eternal soul-care only the Lord can provide.

We do not need to earn our way to God. We only need to open our hearts and see that He is already here with us.

There are times our tears fall from our questions.And one of the tear-filled questions people ask is, Why do I feel so alone in this?

On the night that divinity merged with fleshy humanity as Jesus came on the scene in a stable, things of earth were shaken and stirred with fresh glory and awesome wonder.

When Christmas day came, the boy brought the teacher a seashell of lustrous beauty. “Where did you ever find such a beautiful shell?” the teacher asked as she gently fingered the gift.

Do you ever struggle with feeling like maybe God should have picked someone else to fulfill your roles — as a wife, a mom, a business owner, leader, employee, neighbor or friend?

Expectations and I … let’s just say we’re closely acquainted. For each birthday, vacation or holiday, I have in mind exactly the way I want things to go — and when they don’t? That’s where God has been teaching me how to deal with disappointment, beginning with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

It’s the sweetest season of all. Thanksgiving feasts and all things pumpkin-spice, holiday pies and Christmas fudge, peppermint bark and grandma’s candied yams!

Have you ever noticed this pattern in the gospels: the disciples get in a bind and Jesus bails them out? Hmmm. Sounds a little bit about my life. How about you?

Llamas are a thing lately. It’s hard to go anywhere without seeing a llama on a book, card or wall art. And I’m good with that. This mama loves llamas! Llamas are like sunshine on a cloudy day.