Mixed Joy and Sadness

Mixed Joy and Sadness

  Sydney’s Story: “Happy—smile. Sad—frown. Use the corresponding face with the corresponding emotion!” urges Meg Ryan’s character in the 1995 movie French Kiss. Though this iconic scene endeared Meg Ryan to me forever, it always left me wondering, What about when...
Grief, Faith and Family

Grief, Faith and Family

  Nancy’s Story: My sister Emily and I shared the same bedroom growing up and lived together after college. When she married and had young children, our relationship was fairly close. But after her children grew older and graduated from college, we only...
Safely Home with Jesus

Safely Home with Jesus

Phyllis’s story: As 2020 dawned, the new year brought significant changes in the health of my 89-year-old mother. She was experiencing the increasing effects of dementia and painful bone-on-bone contact in her knee, resulting in her transition to a wheelchair....
A New Heart

A New Heart

  Jerrie’s Story:  When I was little, Mom and Dad would hold my hands and lift me off the ground as we crossed a wooden bridge from the parking lot to our church. I loved the sound when I clomped down and hit the wooden boards with my shoes. I would squeal...
The Desires of My Heart

The Desires of My Heart

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 This time of year there’s a lot of focus on the heart. Pink and red hearts are everywhere and it’s a great time to do something special for someone you love....