FamilyFire

It is a battle, to be sure.  The colors of candy and the sweetness of snacks call to our kids day and night.  Taste buds engaged, they beg for these items.  As parents, we draw a line and stand as firm as we can against… (more)

It is just a birthday.  One of many we celebrate together.  As we push through our full family life, birthdays come and birthdays go and on and on we walk together.  Except… Except it does not go on and on. Parenting may feel like an… (more)

As I drew the broom across our wood floors, the evidence of a life lived with children piled up.  Yes, there was dust.  But I also saw small sticks, Easter grass, tabs to yogurt tubes, small clumps of mud from shoes, indoor soccer field filings… (more)

As a therapist who works with many teenagers and their families, there’s one thing I can say about teenagers; it’s that you know how to push your parents’ buttons.  Instinctively, it seems, you come with an arsenal of tools to get what you want, avoid… (more)

We could have said no.  It was, after all, way too much driving.  But after days of spring break spent relaxing at home, we felt it was time to get out.  Limited time, a balanced budget and dog-sitting concerns quickly eliminated beach escapes, hotel stays… (more)

Proverbs 13:10 says,“Where there is strife, there is pride.  But wisdom is found in those who take advice.” When my children were born, I wanted to do it right.  I wanted to work hard and be a good momma and love them fiercely and raise… (more)

As Christians, we say we believe in community.  We talk about investing in our church family.  We want to seek connection at our children’s school.  We discuss the ways we can reach out and believe this is biblical, a way to live out the Great… (more)

I don’t want to forget to tell them.  Soon, all of creation will sing with the glory of God’s creativity and joy!  And I don’t want to forget to tell them that those bulbs that are pushing up from the newly thawed ground and the… (more)

Our lives tell a tale.  Each day the story begins as we put our feet on the floor.  Given 1440 minutes, we begin.  Kids up and dressed.  Breakfast served.  Daily tasks begun.  Choices made.  The tale unfolds. As parents, we can tell our children what… (more)

They sit in church and hear the pastor speak.  At the dinner table they listen to their parents discuss.  They hear about calling and mission and work to be done.  They sit nearby as we talk about obedience and directives and commandments and law.  Surrounded… (more)

Our culture is obsessed with physical beauty.  Images bombard us, telling us how we should dress, wear our hair, apply make-up, and what products we should buy to acheive the perfect weight or turn back the clock of aging.  But what does God think about… (more)

My two-year-old lay still upon the hospital bed.  His white-blonde curls fell onto the pillow and, eyes open, he smiled at me.  The doctor was quiet, preparing.  Machine on.  Instrument in hand.  Gel on my boy.  His echocardiogram began.  As the images moved on the… (more)

My daughter lives away at college, and every week we talk on the phone to catch up on the week’s events. I love hearing about her classes and her relationships. Each week the conversation begins the same way: “Happy Thursday!” It is a happy Thursday… (more)

In current times, more and more people are pooling their resources together and living with extended family members.  Some of the reasons include financial assistance, childcare, and providing care for elderly or sickly family members.  Whatever the reason, living with one’s family can be a… (more)

The truth is, he was just a baby.  He did not understand a single word I read.  But I sat him on my lap anyway, his head on my chest, facing out.  I opened up the simple book and held it for him to see. … (more)

We were designed to build connections to those around us, to be in communion with others. There is nothing wrong with seeking someone with whom we can share our lives.   Yet desiring to be in a relationship becomes problematic if it becomes the focus… (more)

The trappings of Christmas are falling away.  Trees droop.  Needles fall.  It is time to pack up our ornaments and wrap up our garland and set our living rooms right for the year ahead.  As we clear the clutter of this season away, what else… (more)

I remember it well. Carrying my newborn, holding hands with my toddler, we arrived at the family Christmas party just a few minutes late.  I counted that as success, given the fact that we were all dressed and no one was crying, not even my… (more)

Our life is full and busy.  Sometimes, it feels as though the things that keep us running are non-negotiable.  It feels like being at practices, games, and rehearsals are not choices and are not flexible and even if we are tired, we still must persist.… (more)

Remember the Brady Bunch?  Carol had three girls and Mike, three boys.  On a hunch they married to form one big happy family.  America faithfully watched as the family faced one silly crisis after another, but within 30 minutes all was well again. The fantasy… (more)

When my daughter was in 8th grade, I taught her girls’ club at my church. Those girls became my spiritual children. Through a year of Bible lessons and craft projects, we got involved in each other’s lives.  We encouraged and challenged each other. We talked… (more)

The house was quiet, the kids all at school.  Sitting at the table, head in hands, I was frozen in worry for my son.  Caught in the midst of some struggle, he felt hard to reach, distant.  We always worked hard to maintain good communication… (more)

As I got out of the van, the cold air met my face.  Pulling on gloves and mittens, our four children ran in circles on the well-beaten grass.  I zipped my coat and closed the door and we headed toward the farm.  The fragrance of… (more)

With the beginning of the holiday season comes many complications for those of us who come from blended families.  The painful memories and uncertain expectations can turn what might be a joyous occasion into a time of tumult and hurt.  Before these days are upon… (more)

As parents, we see the big picture.  We understand the whys behind the lessons we seek to teach.  We know that those sight words in 1st grade lead to fluent reading in 2nd grade.  We see that the 5th grade unit on government and laws… (more)