It’s been a perfect August vacation afternoon. The smoke and rain have cleared enough for my husband and I to enjoy a lakeside hike in Grand Teton National Park. The mountains’ jagged grey peaks jut high into the sky, ribbons of snow still clinging along north-facing crevices. A family of Canadian geese glide on jade-colored waters which mirror the mountains. A white-footed hare forages near the trail. It’s quiet. My soul drinks in the scene the way a thirsting desert wanderer gulps fresh water. Such beauty. Such magnificence. We’re still marveling at what we’ve seen as we make Continue Reading
Search Results for: what you may tend to forget
One Fun, Doable Way to Teach Kids Faith and Gratitude
A gentle breeze ruffled the surface of the lake as I wandered along the shore line, eyes to the ground. Oh, there’s a good one! I picked up a smooth, round, grey stone and put it in a container. By the time I was done collecting rocks, I had a small bucketful. I’m not a rock hound, nor did I need more stones for the landscaping in our yard. So why was I collecting rocks on a mountain lake shore during our summer vacation? I wanted to work on developing gratitude in my life—and you can use this same method for your whole family. My “gratitude craft” involved the rocks I’d Continue Reading
How Understanding God’s Justice helps us Forgive, not just Excuse
Months after a hurtful situation, I found myself still struggling to forgive. Time in and of itself wasn't doing the trick. I finally realized that, before I could freely extend mercy, I had to acknowledge just how painful and unjust the offense against me had been. Perhaps you can relate to this dilemma. If you’re a Christian and you’ve been sinned against, I’m guessing the message you’ve heard the loudest is that you should (quickly) forgive the offense and let it go. Although mercy ultimately triumphs over judgment, we ignore a vital part of God’s character when we rush into Continue Reading
One of the Most Enjoyable Ways to Bond as a Family
We’re winding through the mountains, enjoying miles of thick evergreen forests topped by stunning snow-capped peaks. In the context of such beauty and the joy of time off with my beloved, the sadness doesn’t make sense. But it’s there. Every time we get away without the kids and grandkids and I step out of the car to breathe deep of pine-scented air, a pang hits me. A nameless, keening ache that refuses to leave. I close my eyes. Warm summer breeze caressing my skin, I’m transported to another time and place. I’m a kid visiting Yosemite National Park with my parents and Continue Reading