about me – Bethany LaShell

My Father of the Faith

My Father of the Faith captures one daughter’s tribute to a godly father whose steady faith built a legacy of spiritual impact.

God Loves the Prodigal’s Mama Too

One beautiful, benign, spring day, my phone buzzed with an unknown number. I answered it anyway. “Is this Mercia’s mom? I’m here with her in the college parking lot, and she’s about to drive her car into a brick wall.” As I raced out the door and through town, I begged God to spare myContinueContinue reading “God Loves the Prodigal’s Mama Too”

Hazardous Conditions Ahead!

I just wanted to kayak through the spider lilies. A section of the Catawba River about half an hour from me has the largest concentration of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies in the world during May and June every year. I’ve paddled this section several times before, and the water level is usually quite low, causingContinueContinue reading “Hazardous Conditions Ahead!”

Word Crimes

inspired by Psalm 51 and War of Words by P.D. Tripp Have mercy on me, O God,because you are hesed.I’m counting on your faithfulness,mercy, and steadfast loveto delete my sinful words andto wash my mouth out with soap. Not just my mouth,but also my heart attitude.You are the one who’s most offendedalthough others have been slicedContinueContinue reading “Word Crimes”

Embrace the Grace

Growing up in church, I thought all pastors’ families were supposed to be perfect. At least, that was what was to be portrayed. They were always smiling, always serving, always hospitable, and the children were always obedient (insert adult eye roll). And I don’t know how I acquired the false idea that some sins wereContinueContinue reading “Embrace the Grace”

50 Things about Turning 50

Today is my 50th birthday, and to celebrate, I’ve listed 50 things I’ve learned in life (in no particular order). 50 is fabulous!Living 50 years is worth celebrating!Eat the chocolate.I am enough!!!Jesus has met my every need, and He’ll keep meeting every need.This, too, shall pass.Friends need to be cultivated and cherished.I’m feeling more settledContinueContinue reading “50 Things about Turning 50”

Announcement … Homeschooling Help Is Here!

NOW AVAILABLE!! One of the hard things many of you have been called to do in this current season is to homeschool or to school your kids at home. Some of you may remember, but many of you do not know, that I homeschooled my own children for 14 years. During that time, I blogged,ContinueContinue reading “Announcement … Homeschooling Help Is Here!”

Why I Have to Write

Last week I shared why I’m afraid to write my story. It was enough to scare me off all over again! This week I want to share why, in spite of my fears, I feel compelled to write anyway. God has put in my heart to share my story in order to help others whoContinueContinue reading “Why I Have to Write”

I’m Baaaack!

I’ve missed this space! This past week, I’ve been thinking that I needed to get back into regular, personal writing for several reasons. First of all, I need to get all this hot mess out of my head! I’ve heard fiction authors say that they have no idea how a story is going to endContinueContinue reading “I’m Baaaack!”

The BIG, UGLY Thing

Deep breath. I can do this. I have to get the BIG, UGLY Thing out of the way before we can go any further on this blog; otherwise, I’ll be the same, old me. I want to be a new me, even though none of this year’s yucky things are things that I have chosen.ContinueContinue reading “The BIG, UGLY Thing”