During my years of prolonged singleness, I definitely experienced discouragement. In addition to providing my amazing single friends, God also ministered encouragement through certain married friends who communicated sensitivity, love, and respect with their words and actions. In light of my own experience, I recently compiled a mental list of ways married couples can bless their single friends. I’m not …

Do you ever feel like you might be too much of an emotional mess for anyone to handle? If we find ourselves overwhelmed by the depths of our needs, the unpredictability of our emotions, and the mess of our hearts, I’m sure those nearest to us may feel a bit daunted as well. Whether we happen to be married or …

When a gift comes wrapped in beautiful packaging, we eagerly rip into the wrapping. But what about the times when we are entrusted with unfamiliar gifts? Gifts wrapped in disappointment and confusion, sorrow and pain? If we know how to remind ourselves of the goodness of the Giver, He will grant us the courage to slowly unwrap the gifts and …

Dear Father in Heaven, May I bask in the newness of Your love and mercy every morning, and extend this grace to the one in front of me. Make me a channel of Your steadfast love (Lamentations 3:22-23). The righteous gives and does not hold back (Proverbs 21:26); create in me a righteous, giving heart. Give me a heart that …

Lately, I’ve been basking in the fact that I am eternally connected to Jesus. I’ve been remembering the history we have together, and this reassures me about the future. Soon, I will become David’s wife. That thought excites me, and it’s a sobering thought as well. I’ve never done this life event before. And then I remember that I have …

In the middle of my desert, a miracle has bloomed. I’m still in shock. There are many days when Psalm 126:1 describes me perfectly: “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.” And then there are moments when the reality of God’s gift makes me weep. So far, what have I learned about myself, …

Vulnerability is scary and I’m not its greatest fan. So I decided to start reading Brene Brown’s treatise on this sensitive subject, entitled Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Early on in the book, she had my attention by pointing out that experiencing deep joy can make us feel vulnerable, …

I’m beginning to wonder if much of life is about learning to let go. Letting go of expectations. Of past baggage. Of bitterness. Of the person you used to be. Letting go of old measuring sticks, narrow-minded thinking and an inability to deal with the gray. Letting go of the formulas that promised a clean route around the messiness of …

“We will have an exam next week.” “Tomorrow, there will be a test on …” Do you remember the knot in your stomach as you thought about how much you needed to cram for an upcoming test? I remember the audible groans from my students whenever I announced that the exam was drawing near. Even if you are a good …