For many years, I operated on a faulty definition of forgiveness. My definition ran something like this: “Forgiving someone means they win the argument. Forgiving someone means I have to let them fully back into my life. Forgiving someone means I have to let them continue to run roughshod over my feelings. Forgiving someone meansContinueContinue reading “The What and the Why of Forgiveness”
Category Archives: change
Bridging the Racial Divide
Friends, we are doing our black brothers and sister a great injustice by being silent and ignorant about what’s happening to black people all around us. The Bible warns us: Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.Philippians 2:4 NCV I’ve always thought I was “colorContinueContinue reading “Bridging the Racial Divide”
Plan B
My life lately looks like a season of Well, That Didn’t Go as Planned. But here’s the thing. I. Love. To. Plan. Everything. Perhaps you have this problem, too? The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.Proverbs 16:9 ESV I’ve learned to write in my pretty planner with erasableContinueContinue reading “Plan B”
Authenticity
Many years ago, I had a close friend. Our kids played together. We worshiped together. We complained about our husbands together. We homeschooled together. We had coffee together. I thought we were best friends. Then she started pulling back. She didn’t always answer her phone when I called. She started being busy when I triedContinueContinue reading “Authenticity”
Praise Before Victory
It’s a dreary, chilly day here in North Carolina, but that’s no excuse to let my inside grumpiness be on display for everyone else. Although it may seem like no big deal, it’s not. Victory in small things leads to victory in bigger things. Learning how to have victory over a grumpy mood one dayContinueContinue reading “Praise Before Victory”
Out With the Old; In With the New
So, maybe I’m a few days late to the game, but I’m still working on my vision for 2020. How ‘bout you? Or maybe your goals have already fizzled, and you need a reminder to reboot them. Here’s your invitation to keep working toward your 2020 vision! Some of my goals feel so big andContinueContinue reading “Out With the Old; In With the New”
What If We’re Just Supposed to Show Love?
What if we’re just supposed to show love this Christmas season? Not judge. Not worry about how our show of love will be perceived. Not worry about what it might cost us. Not worry about whether we’re doing it the right way (whatever that might be). Just love. “My command is this: Love each otherContinueContinue reading “What If We’re Just Supposed to Show Love?”
The New Midlife Crisis: Not Just for Men Anymore
In the good old days, we’d hear about men in their 40s and 50s leaving their wives, buying fancy sports cars, and running off to Mexico with 20-year-old blonde bimbos. We’d shake our heads sadly, judge him loudly, and say, “Oh, he’s having a midlife crisis. His poor wife!” And that would be the endContinueContinue reading “The New Midlife Crisis: Not Just for Men Anymore”
Take It to the Cross
How many times do we hear—or say—that phrase and not know how to take our burdens to the cross and leave them there? “Rising Cairn” by Celeste Roberge I connected immediately with this sculpture, “Rising Cairn” by Celeste Roberge, the first time I saw its image. Others have called it “The Weight of Grief,” andContinueContinue reading “Take It to the Cross”
Identity Crisis
With my recent divorce, I decided to revert my last name to my maiden name. My married name has all kinds of negative connotations, and I don’t want to be associated with that name or that person anymore. As my girls are in their late teens, they’re old enough to realize that I need myContinueContinue reading “Identity Crisis”
Bethany LaShell 