He arrived in the United States with $70 to his name, not knowing a word of English. Under the stigma of having fought on the German side in World War II, my father set out to build a new life for his family. He succeeded. We held a memorial in Papa’s honor this last Saturday, and I’ve been reflecting on lots of childhood memories… …traditional Christmas Eve (Heilige Abend) celebrations, starting with Papa reading Luke Chapter 2 from the German Bible and leading us in German Christmas hymns .… two awesome trips to Germany in my teens. .. …how Papa would take me out for real Continue Reading
The Unexpected Insight I Gained at the Holocaust Museum (And What it Means for You)
Clusters of people move slowly and reverently through four floors of dark and somber exhibits, wiping away tears. We are moved, stunned to silence, utterly dismayed at man's inhumanity to man and the depravity of the human heart. If you've been to the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington D.C., you know you'll never forget the place. My husband Scott and I were in town for a conference and had decided to take in the museum during a couple of off hours, thinking it would be good to reflect on what happened to the Jewish people in Europe during Hitler's reign. "It is better to go to Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Afford to Confuse “Comfort” with “Comfortable”
As our friend pondered the tragic loss of a family member last year, he wondered, "Why do I never feel comfortable when I'm mourning? Doesn't God promise to comfort us in our grief?" Americans are all about being comfortable. We don't even know what the weather feels like most of the time, unless it's so glorious we decide to risk it and go outside. We don't usually have to suffer heat, cold, or hunger, so we opt out of those inconveniences. We use running water without a second thought, and holler our protests if someone dares flush while we are in the shower. We're a pretty Continue Reading
The Real Reason You Need to Tell Your Story
When I was your age, the classic story goes, I had to walk uphill both ways in the snow to get to school. If I did my chores all week, I could spend a nickel at the candy counter. Folks who grew up in tougher times like to remind the softer generation how they have a relatively easy life. Especially if they’ve been through hardships like war, there’s this temptation to wax eloquent about how tough things were back then. Those who have been through the Depression or World War II certainly have a tale worth telling, and those of us who are younger can gain an appreciation for the Continue Reading
