Trading “I could never…” for “I just did!”
What keeps you from living the life you want to live? Last winter in Chicago, we experienced a deep freeze where the temperature never went above freezing for more than a month, and walking outside [...]
Empty nest? Not so great.
So I have been an “empty nester” for exactly one week. So far, it totally sucks. I do not like it one bit. I am irritable and difficult--I admit this. Something feels off balance, and [...]
Four alternatives to family devotions: family spiritual practices
Family devotions have often felt like an epic fail for us. When my children were small, my husband and I wanted to be what we thought were good Christian parents, so we read Bible stories [...]
Making a spiritual discipline of Sabbath
What does a life of Sabbath Simplicity look like? The unfortunate stereotypes of constant leisure or contemplation don't come anywhere near my crazy working mom life. But I am committed to living a sanely-paced, God-focused [...]
The empty nest
This couch feels vast tonight. Alone, I cannot fill it. I sit, laptop on well, my lap. How many times did I sit on this generous couch, a tweed the color of coffee with cream, [...]
Sabbath
I'm speaking on Sabbath next month, so I thought I'd take some notes on what Sabbath looks like at our house, with two teenagers. Fire, fierce and warming, glows in the worn brick fireplace in [...]
Limiting “screen time”
Reader and FB friend Lynda wrote to ask a parenting question. I'm no expert, so I'd love your opinion on this: "how do you limit electronics for your children in your home?" Our kids are [...]
Slow down, it’s summer
Can I just say how much I enjoy summer? I'm writing on my laptop with the windows open to the evening chorus of songbirds. It's warm but not so hot we need the air conditioning. [...]
Do you cook on Sabbath?
As we listened to a message on Sabbath keeping a couple of weeks ago, my friend leaned over and whispered in my ear, "do you cook on Sabbath?" It should be noted that I love [...]
A great little Christmas book
One of the radio stations I listen to in the car has started its annual tradition of playing only Christmas music during the holidays. But instead of starting on Dec. 1, they've already started! I [...]