Journeying Home Together
She sat on the crinkly exam room paper, her eight-year-old body tiny on the table meant for adults more than twice her size. Her paper gown the nurse had given her was bunched around her neck, her shoulders were hunched, and her big, brown eyes were round with anxiety. “Here we go,” the nurse said, and my little girl grabbed my hand. What followed was what seemed like a forever-long
Last week my husband and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Quebec City for a summit put on by his company. For four days, I was just “Scott’s wife.” I wasn’t a mom. I wasn’t even Jessica, necessarily. Stripped of parental and personal responsibilities, I was there simply as his wife, and it was wonderful. I was also stripped of my connection to the rest of the world. Our cell
I’m sitting at my desk – in my office – for the first time in almost a week. I preached at my home church a week ago, and that sermon consumed me. Absolutely consumed me. I told my congregation at church on Sunday that I had been in a wrestling match with the Holy Spirit all week, and that is really the best way I can describe it. Based
It’s been a rough few months with my daughter, as she’s navigating the delicate social mores of first grade and slowly accepting the responsibilities that come with being seven years old. She is still delightful, but as she is changing my husband and I often feel like we’re tiptoeing around her to avoid upsetting her somehow. (This rarely works, by the way.) It’s gotten old, if I’m honest, and more
Prayer Focus: Gratitude and Thankfulness Central Scripture: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.” (Psalm 136:1) Prayer: Gracious Father, You have given me so much from the generosity of Your hands. You have poured out blessing upon blessing, not because I have earned or deserve it, but because You love me and delight in doing so. You are a giving Father, and You are good. In every moment,
Prayer Focus: Generosity and Focus Central Scripture: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21) Prayer: Merciful Father, I thank You
Prayer Focus: Pure Thoughts and Good Attitude Central Scripture: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8) Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You today for the way that You have made us, Your children. We are so intricately made, with the ability to think
Prayer Focus: Health Central Scripture: “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you.” (3 John 1:2) Prayer: Gracious Father, I thank You for the way that You have made our bodies. Even when we don’t feel well or are having health issues, our bodies are so perfectly intricate and show the masterful design of Your hand. You are a wonderful Creator, and
Prayer Focus: Protection from Evil Central Scripture: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) Prayer: Merciful Father, I thank You today that no matter how much this life may feel like a battle, we are assured that the victory is Yours. Thank You for being our warrior King, who goes into battle for us and never stops fighting until the war
Prayer Focus: Godly Community Central Scripture: “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” (Proverbs 13:20) Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for creating us the way that You did. We are not made to do life alone, but to walk alongside other people in close relationships. Thank You for the people You bring into our lives. God, I pray that You would
