Facing 2022 was just hard. My first year without him in it. A milestone that felt more like a millstone — tied about my neck and dragging me under, as […]
Not Strong, And That’s Okay
Can we just be real?I’m not as strong as some people think I am.There. I said it. I could lie to you and say that I wasn’t sobbing in my […]
When Grief Collides with Faith
Profound grief has a way of bringing us face to face with what we actually believe about God. Often, we are surprised by our doubt. We wrestle with the juxtaposition […]
Grief, Like a Hurricane
“Have you ever seen the aftermath of a hurricane?” This was the widower’s response when I asked him if the second year is any easier than the first. I didn’t […]
The Blessing of Suffering
Long before Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes released their song called “The Blessing,” Jeremy used to end our Sunday morning services with the benediction from Numbers 6. It’s a lovely […]
If Sunrise Should Come Without Me
I’ll Be There If sunrise should ever come without meAnd there’s no “good morning” to be saidIf your saddened heart should doubt meI want these thoughts to fill your head: […]
Daddy’s Girl
Our youngest was a daddy’s girl. Of the five children, she was the one who preferred Jeremy, even over me. So naturally, whenever she needed comfort, she ran to her […]
God Can, But What If He Doesn’t?
What if …I don’t get a happy ending?…This pain doesn’t go away?…He answers my prayers with “No?”…Life never looks like I hoped?…I lose again? I know God can—but what. if. […]
I’ll Give Thanks Anyway
Even when my heart is brokenAnd last goodbyes remain unspoken{I’ll give THANKS anyway.} Even when my dreams are shatteredAnd it’s not my will that mattered{I’ll give THANKS anyway.} Even when […]
Autumn: Death Gives Way To Life
Autumn has always been my favorite. There are so many things about it that I love: rich colors, changing leaves, sunny days with cool evenings, crisp air, crunching leaves, dancing […]
The Big C
Cancer took me by surpriseChrist knew all of my days before there was one of them Cancer deforms my bodyChrist formed my inward parts and knitted me together in my […]
A Griever’s 23rd Psalm
I walked through the valley of the shadow of deathBut You were with meYou never left me (Ps 23) Sobs wracked my body ’til there were no tears leftYou wrote […]