child loss / Christmas / Grief Support / Widowhood

How Christmas Feels to the Grieving

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I suppose most would rather not think about death and loss at this time of year, but for the valley-walker, there is no escaping reality. Mistletoe mocks. Once-tinseled trees lay […]

Child Loss / devotional / faith / Grief / Grief Support / Resurrection / seasons / Trauma / Widowhood

Death Gives Way to Life

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It was a sunny October afternoon when death came to visit. Once my favorite season—filled with family birthdays at apple orchards, hot pumpkin spice lattes on crisp, frosty mornings and […]

devotional / faith / Grief / Grief Support / Surrender / Waiting / Widowhood

When Will You Surrender?

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Two years ago, I’m sitting on the third row, just before worship on a Sunday morning—pretty discouraged and praying for clarity—when God hits me between the eyes with this question: […]

devotional / Grief Support / Post-Traumatic Growth / Widowhood

Contentment, Even Now?

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I often preach to myself that I need to be fully present in each season. It’s so tempting to always be looking forward to the next things: Before we know […]

Grief

Just After the Rest: Finding Value in the Silent Measures of Life

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A lifetime ago, I was a musician. In music, we call a pause a “rest.” We like that word, don’t we? Rest sounds like such a lovely thing—until you’re forced […]

Christmas / faith / Grief / Widowhood

Skipping Christmas

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Wanna skip Christmas this year? I hear you. And I get it. But perhaps there’s another way. Here are some thoughts on celebrating Christmas, even when our Christmas isn’t, at […]

Grief / Love / Marriage / poetry

If Sunrise Should Come Without Me

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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: […]