A Love Story of Eight Months and Beyond [Kristen Hogrefe Parnell]
The meaning of love has taken new depths during my eight months and counting of pregnancy. It has also made me more appreciative of Jesus’ ultimate love for me.
A Mile in Someone Else’s Shoes [Sara Davison]
Have you ever had a pair of shoes that were so perfectly worn around your feet, so completely comfortable, that you never wanted to take them off or wear another pair? New shoes can be the opposite—uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. But often they are also beautiful, and it is well worth the effort to try them on, break them in, give them time to adapt and mold to your feet.
Our comfort zone is the same.
How to Love People Through Their Depression [Kelsey Norman]
Depression is a common illness, but it seems more people have experienced it since the pandemic began. It can be hard for those who don’t deal with it themselves to know how to support their loved ones who do. If someone you care about struggles with depression, here’s what you can do to help:
The Importance of Family [Kimberly Rose Johnson]
Family is at the top of my mind because recently, my husband and I made a huge life change. We moved from Oregon to Montana to help out my parents. As beautiful as Montana is, moving here was not on my bucket list. That being said, when the Lord tells us to do something, listening…
[Starr Ayers] Love Letters
I can still hear the rumble of the mailman’s car and the screech of its brakes as it pulls in front of our house, the scrape of the mailbox’s rusty hinges when opened, and the hollow metal twang as it slams shut. As the car pulls away, I see my younger self racing down the drive, hoping to find an envelope addressed to me, a letter from someone I love.
[Sara Davison] Throwing the Covers off Our Heads
The temptation to stay in bed with the covers over our heads is strong. For many of us, we’ve lived with government recommendations—even, in some cases, demands—that we actually do stay in our homes. Shielding ourselves by staying home, turning off the news, engaging in safe, warm, cozy activities and light books and entertainment in an attempt to block out or forget about all that is going on is an understandable desire.
[Jeanette-Marie Mirich] The Helmet
My father thought sideways. It happens. Probably stemmed from the shrapnel imbedded in his head at a hillside in Italy.
[Kristen Hogrefe Parnell] The Secret to Anticipating Christmas
How do you anticipate a season if you’re dreading it? For some, this year has been full of blessings, but for many, it’s been one challenge after another. I feel you. This year has been a mixed bag for me.
The secret is that anticipating Christmas doesn’t depend on our circumstances.
[Bradley Caffee] The Clarity of the Diminished Self
I never wanted to be a writer. The written word was for people whose brains operated differently than mine. Much of college was dodging professors who assigned papers in favor of those who leaned on exams. Grad school was an exercise in getting papers finished as efficiently and quickly as possible. Being an analytical thinker…
[Angela Ruth Strong] My Movie’s Highlight Reel
Having a movie based on one of my books is a dream come true. The experience felt as surreal as an actual dream. Here are the highlights.