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Fear, Security, And Stereotypes
Recently my daughter and I traveled to an East Coast city to look at an internship site she is considering for next summer. We’ve never been to this city. We booked a B&B, made arrangements to...
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Today
Today the morning news reports the United States has the highest infant mortality rate, youngest average age of adult deaths, and highest homicide rate of developed countries. Tonight’s news reports...
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Inspiring Stories: Tanya’s Story
I have the humble privilege to share Tanya’s Glanzman’s story of being an overcomer and survivor of childhood abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Tanya is a remarkable woman. She is a contributing...
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Tanya’s Story: A Response
Today I’m posting at She Stands. Stop for a heart check! If you didn’t read Tanya’s inspiring story posted this weekend, read it here. It’s a beautiful story of hope and redemption after a life of...
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Why I Hate Resolutions
I also posted on hating Christmas, and it earned me a phone call from the Ricki Lake Show. I must not have hated Christmas enough, though, because I didn’t win the golden ticket to be a guest on their...
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Parenting Series: Child of Mine
As a school counselor working with parents who walk the path Amy Mitchell has with her son, it’s my privilege to share her heart and journey. By Amy Mitchell - http://unchainedfaith.com You know that...
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What is Your Drug of Choice?
Vodka and Vicodin. What’s your drug of choice? This weekend I’ll be sharing the powerful story of a young mom who found herself unexpectedly turning to Vicodin and Vodka and ended up in rehab. This...
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Inspiring Stories: Candi’s Story
It’s a great privilege to share Candi’s story. Candi is a family friend and her honest vulnerability makes her story so powerful. As a counselor working with children and families, I honor the hard...
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God Made a Farmer
I married a farmer. Though I’m a mental health professional, I’ve learned answers to life’s problems can be solved in lessons of farm life. On Superbowl Sunday, a commercial aired titled “God Made a...
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Steps in Overcoming Obstacles: Keep Walking
I have a messed up knee. A torn ACL, torn meniscus, possible compression fracture. Today I’ll be seeing an orthopedic doctor to find out the course of treatment. Since the injury two months ago, I...
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Inspiring Stories: Stacey’s Story
Friday I posted The New Normal: 8 Tips for Working Moms at Not Alone Mom. It is my greatest privilege to share Stacey’s story of love and grace. She has walked many paths familiar to women – loss of...
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Running Away, Giving Up and the Benefits of Being Caught
This week, I’ll be speaking in Western Michigan for two women’s groups on Hope Beyond the Picket Fence. I’ll be sharing what I call “my angry mom story.” It’s the hope and truth our family has lived...
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The Sound of Silence
And there was silence in Heaven. Revelation 8:1 I don’t feel right writing, but in my selfishness, I do. The tears roll down my face today. My heart is broken. Broken for a childhood friend who lost...
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How to Fight A Lion and Other Principalities
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly...
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Why The Breakfast Club is Still Relevant Today
When I taught high school Sociology, we studied stereotypes and social groups via the movie “The Breakfast Club.” As I’m watching it at home tonight, I realize the movie’s content may be even more...
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The Gap, The Holes, and the Race to Fill Them
She sat there with a batting glove on her hand. It gave her power in the identity she’s forming. She’s a fighter. Inside is a girl who wants to be something else. I see it in the way she cocks …...
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I’m A Fighter. Why Fighting For What’s Important Is Worth It All
Thank you to those who read Kaylee’s inspiring story, “Loving the Kids“. Her words were a gift because we’ve seen the depth of her journey. Like her dad, she’s not one to put herself out there. I...
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Mother’s Day: Inspiring Women and Messed-Up Experiences in Motherhood
Today is Mother’s Day – the day we think of the blessings of motherhood. In reflecting on this day, I’m reminded of inspiring women who had messed-up experiences in motherhood. Many biblical women...
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Facing Insecurities: Why I Don’t Look In The Mirror
It’s summer time here on the Back Forty. With summertime comes natural beauty, fresh fruits and veggies from our garden. With the changing of the seasons come the changing of life’s seasons, too. Years...
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How To Be Strong When There’s A Weak Link
I’m 4% permanently partially paralyzed. A fancy way to say I have a torn ACL from a workman’s comp injury. I have a weak link. As my surgeon released me from treatment, he said my knee will only be as...
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