Do you need protection today from the struggles of life that threaten to attack your heart? Go to God’s Word. Ask His Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Wait for His Word to unfold. Rest in your hiding place.       What waters and fire threaten to consume your heart this week? We have the instruction to not fear because we have the promise of God’s presence. He doesn’t promise to remove the flood, but He does promise to be with you. Why? Because YOU are PRECIOUS in HIS sight!       A dream that feels impossible. A calling that seems out of reach. A desire t ..read more

Thank You, Lord, for glimpses in the midst. *A glimpse of beauty in the midst of rain. A glimpse of peace in the midst of chaos. A glimpse of faithfulness in the midst of betrayal. A glimpse of joy in the midst of despair. *And on this Memorial Day…Glimpses of honor in grief. Glimpses of heroism in tragedy. Glimpses of remembrance in freedom. *I haven’t felt well today and wrestle with feeling unproductive as I rest. Yet, God gives me a glimpse of what He’s doing in my children’s hearts as they serve me and work around the house. My heart receives a bit of rest. What glimpse do you have in the ..read more

We command our souls: Return to your rest. Thank You, Lord, for this Monday morning reminder. My soul may not start the week restful, but I can return to a place of rest deep within. Rest is not the result of a calm schedule or taking a break. Rest does not occur because life circumstances are easy. Our souls can return to rest because God has been good. He is good. He does good. He gives good. He never changes. His goodness will follow us all the days of our lives. Remember what He has done to remind yourself what He can and will do. We command our souls: Return to your rest.   Fat ..read more

I tried something new (to me) and have fallen in love with Instagram. Would you join me? Here’s a little glimpse of what I’ve been sharing for homeschool moms on my Instagram. Dear homeschool momma struggling at the end…of another hard day, hard week, hard semester, hard year… Have you allowed life’s harms to overwhelm your heart? Perhaps you’re still not sure how to teach that one child. Perhaps the chaos surrounding you continues to increase. Perhaps you wrestle, again, with the thought that you’re just not enough. Will you dare to believe God will take those situations that threat ..read more

Now it came about it a land far away, a long time ago, the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat, king of Judah. The message was clear: A multitude was invading. Now it also happens that in another land, many years later, another multitude invades. It’s a multitude of problems, a multitude of struggles, a multitude of enemies. It’s an invasion against your heart. Your multitude of enemies might be different than mine. But one detail is certain: there is an enemy of your soul who does not want you to continue in your calling ..read more

Life-changing? Yes, this is a bold claim. But my soul claims that it is true. My life is dramatically changing because of these truths. THE Truth? Yes, another bold claim. But it is straight from the mouth of Jesus, the One who IS the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life. Does your soul crave true rest? Not a mere break, but a deep inner confidence that everything is ok. You can have this rest if you embrace the following. We could call them “3 simple steps”. But they’re not really simple, and they’re certainly not structured steps to take once and arrive. You already know the verses often taught abou ..read more

Another day in the recliner. Another day of haphazard meals. Another day of lesson plans left unchecked. Another day of excessive tv. Another day of constant mental struggle. Do you ever wonder if homeschooling when Mom has a chronic illness is just too much? Do you doubt whether you can really do this? Maybe it would be better to put the kids back in public or private school. Maybe your dream of enjoying homeschooling is just beyond your reach. Maybe not. Perhaps the hidden blessings you might encounter will far surpass the blessings you expected when you started this homeschool journey. Perh ..read more

“There’s apparently a secret club.” My heart sank as another mom relayed the woes of our young students at co-op. My child was the instigator. Her child was not allowed in the club. Her child was in tears. Mine was oblivious to the broken heart. My friend courageously decided it was best to work through this conflict together. After all, that’s why we joined homeschool community. We desire to work together to lead our children in God’s way. I applaud her bravery. But my heart quietly broke as I heard how my child had hurt another. “A few children had to sit in time-out after repeatedly disobey ..read more

I’m no stranger to the valley. Maybe it’s my circumstances. Perhaps it’s just my personality. Probably a combination. This valley is not my first choice of where to be, yet it’s strangely familiar.  In the valley, I have danced with depression. I have gracefully grieved. I have survived difficult days. A fog surrounds me, and my vision cannot reach beyond right right in front of me. The mountaintops, the sky, the future. All are obscured, and the valley is all I know. Do you know this place of the valley? Seasons in the valley might come from wrong choices, difficult circumstances, or clo ..read more

Bows slung across their shoulders. Quivers bulged with arrows. The archers of Israel’s tribe of Ephraim stood ready for battle. After years of training, the time had come. They were trained. They were equipped. They were skilled. They were ready for battle. Valiantly, they marched forward toward the enemy. Yet. They turned back. They retreated from their purpose for which they were equipped. They abandoned their covenant with God who promised to defeat their enemies. They forgot how God had acted on their behalf in rescuing them from Egypt and bringing them to the Promised Land. Being equipped ..read more