Our pace of daily life quickens. For instance, do you remember when email emerged as a life-changing breakthrough––speeding up and expanding communication beyond what we ever imagined? Some of us older cats do. But today, many view email as an archaic nuisance, like snail mail. Why not just text or chat?

Those who grew up in the 80’s can’t forget this gem of a PSA:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk9XY8Nrs0A

While the war on drugs continues to rage on, another battle happens almost every day in traffic jams, breakrooms, and around dinner tables: the battle within the brain as it deals with stress. According to the American Psychological Association, the stress situation in America is “chronic.” That’s putting it mildly. Many would say modern-day Americans are the most collectively stressed-out population in history.

You did it. You survived another Mother’s Day. You’re licking your wounds, but you made it through the day. You plastered a smile on your face and gave a polite nod and shrug of the shoulders in response to the all too familiar question, “When are you going to have a baby?” You, and the other non-moms, successfully pushed back tears and sat staring at the bulletin while a church leader asked all of the mothers in the congregation to stand for applause and recognition.

The Lord has allowed me to be a mother for 44 years. Knowing how so many struggle with infertility, I am truly grateful. And, my heart’s desire from the first day was that I would be a godly mother, passing along a love for the Lord and His Word to my children. That would be my legacy that they would remember when I go to be with Jesus.

So, as I was reading through 2 Chronicles recently, I got to chapter 21 and read this: “He passed away, to no one’s regret.” (2 Chronicles 21:4) What a sad epitaph!

This past Monday, Muslims began their month of fasting during the daylight hours. The month of Ramadan falls from May 6 to June 4 this year, followed by a celebration, Eid al-Fitr on June 5, when friends and family will gather and celebrate the end of Ramadan.

Ramadan, an ideal time to pray for Muslims around the world, also gives you an opportunity to tell Muslims you are praying for them. Many will be surprised and pleased that you know about their practices.

Often the worst day of the year for an infertile woman is Mother’s Day. On this holiday, going to a house of worship can feel more like going to the house of mourning.

WE ALL ACHE WITH DESIRES WE HOPE GOD FULFILLS.

For years I desired to be married and God seemed silent. Then I longed for a place to call home—and my husband and I continued to move from city to city.

What are your desires?

What comes to your mind when you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t sleep?

Psalm 37:4 offers hope for our longings, but sometimes it seems like just a sweet saying painted on a coffee mug. Especially for my friends who wait for a positive pregnancy test, a job, healing.

If we delight in God, will He really give us the desires of our hearts?

We live in a day and age when counseling is a norm. Many churches have a Christian counselor on staff. Folks flock to bookstores where self-care and wellness books line the shelves. I woke this morning thinking that counseling is often a safe place to confess. The idea that we need to confess our sins against others as well as their sins against us verbally is a huge part of the healing process. Personally, I have not found that another human telling me that I am not at fault or am forgiven hasn’t been  truly freeing. It is more like a bandage than a cure. It stops my bleeding heart from coloring my world for a bit but eventually the bandage begins to leak all over my thoughts and relationships.