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“By wisdom a house is built.” — Proverbs 24:3 NIV Telling my parents that we had decided to move was incredibly difficult. They were hurt, sad, and probably a little angry, even though we were moving only 15 miles away. We knew why the move made sense for our family, but knowing our reason did not remove the guilt or sadness. Sometimes following the direction God has placed before us disappoints people we deeply love. The night before closing, I thought about our unknown futu

“Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.” — Proverbs 24:4 NIV When Scripture speaks of rooms filled with precious treasures, I do not believe it is describing expensive furniture, beautiful artwork, or perfectly decorated spaces. The real treasures within a home are the memories created there. They are family dinners, children laughing, late-night conversations, prayers whispered beside a bed, celebrations around a table, and forgiveness offe

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established.” — Proverbs 24:3 NIV My husband once gave me a beautiful handwritten card with horses on the front. Inside, he wrote, “Home is where the heart is.” It was our first time moving together and the beginning of learning what makes a house feel like home. Since then, we have moved five times. Each move brought new walls, new rooms, new friendships, and new memories. And the best part, I learned that the hear

As a mother who raised three boys, I have never understood glitter. Glitter makes me mad. It really does. One year, my oldest son went to sleepaway church camp, and the girls put glitter in the boys’ sleeping bags as a prank. I was furious. Glitter? Really? You cannot wash that stuff out! Cleaning up glitter is nearly impossible. I do not even like gifts wrapped in glittery paper. It is a known fact in my family that if you wrap my gift in glitter-covered paper, I do not care

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3 (NIV) As this week comes to an end, take a quiet moment to look back. Where did you see God’s goodness? Perhaps it was in an answered prayer, an unexpected kindness, a moment of peace, or simply the strength to keep going. Not every week is easy, but every week gives us another opportunity to notice that God has been with us through it all. Tonight, release what felt heavy, thank Him for what w

We suffer. Being saved does not save us from pain, uncertainty, or the consequences of wrong choices. Jesus did not endure the cross so that we could live blissful, pain-free lives. He died so that we could be reconciled to God and have hope, even in our suffering. Someone who did not believe in the resurrection once asked me, “If Jesus exists, why do some of us struggle so much?” It was a difficult question then, and those who experience suffering can understand its difficul

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) I have a dear friend who truly lives out her Christian faith and leads her family well. I was fortunate to mentor her through the world of educational counseling, but I have been even more fortunate to call her my friend. Although I may have helped guide her professionally, she has taught me many things about faith, family, and gratitude. At the end of many o

“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” — Psalm 30:5 (NIV) Have you ever truly walked through lament? Lament is more than feeling sad. It is the honest and sometimes uncomfortable practice of bringing our pain directly to God. We turn toward Him, share our struggles, conflicts, and brokenness, ask Him for healing or relief, and then slowly learn to trust His timing. People often s

“Here I am! I stand at the door and kock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, i will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” — Revelation 3:20 (NIV) J.O.Y.—Jesus Over You—begins with letting Jesus in. I once heard someone say that the Lord comes by invitation, while the enemy looks for any open door. That thought has stayed with me. I don't think He forces His way into our lives. Instead, He stands at the door and knocks. He calls to us, waits for us, and invites

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4 NIV For years, I chose one word to guide me through each new year. Before that, I created vision boards filled with words, pictures, shapes, and symbols representing what I wanted for my future. The vision board tradition began when a friend told me that if I wanted to create change, I should put my vision on paper and look at it every day. I embraced her idea—not only because I loved being creative