Eyes downcast, Jamé exhales slowly. Pain flickers across her countenance. It's ten in the morning, and she's been laboring steadily for three hours. Never is a woman more vulnerable-- or more powerful -- than she is during childbirth. Sam kisses her forehead, laces his fingers through hers, murmurs encouragement. Never does a man feel more helpless than when his beloved gives birth -- and never is he more helpful, simply by being at her side. It's the being, not the doing. The power of presence. This is his gift to her. The two are becoming three, another holy family Continue Reading
Search Results for: Why Giving Up
How Giving Small Thanks When You’re Hurting Demonstrates Great Faith in God
It’s Thanksgiving. Time to gather with loved ones, consume a lavish feast and count our blessings—and yet some of us can’t look forward to the celebration. The holidays can represent the bleakest time of year for many people, precisely because of our hopes and expectations about what this season should bring us. What if life doesn’t look like a Hallmark special right now? What if the feast is nothing more than canned soup? Or the turkey tastes like ashes in your mouth because a recent death or divorce has left you reeling? What if you’re too sick to get together with your loved Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Afford to Ignore the Hard Words of Jesus
It's almost Christmas, the season where we focus on Jesus as a helpless babe lying in a manger, gentle, meek and mild. But Jesus isn't a magic baby. He's our living Lord. And truth be told, he isn't so very meek and mild. I've been reading Luke this month, a chapter a day. I want to remind myself again of who Jesus really is. I want to listen to his words, life-giving and soul-shredding all at once. It's one thing to live by the Golden Rule. How about some of Jesus' more difficult words? Here are some in Luke's gospel: Jesus said we should Continue Reading
Why You Can’t Afford to Re-Define Courage
Nobody wants to be a wimp. You like the idea of being the hero who saves the day, right? Me, too. Courage is an important virtue. Without it, we fail to stand up for ourselves and others. We let evil rule while we run for cover. Remember the beginning of "It's a Wonderful Life," starring Jimmy Stewart? Clarence, the angel assigned to help George Bailey, wants to know what George is struggling with. "Is he sick?" he queries. "Worse," comes the reply. "He's discouraged." Or the moment in "Toy Story" when Buzz Light Year realizes he is Continue Reading
