Fathers are meant to love, guide, encourage, protect, teach, comfort, and lead us. So what happens when a father doesn't fulfill his responsibilities? Emptiness happens. Depression happens. Doubt happens. Confusion happens. Children lose their way. A neglectful father leaves his children to fend for themselves. They may have to fend for food or clothing, or … Continue reading When You Have an Absent, Abusive, or Abandoning Father… God Cares
It's graduation time! This year is especially meaningful to me, because my twin sons are included among the 2017 graduates. As homeschoolers, my husband and I have watched them pursue their interests from a young age, with the freedom and time to really develop and excel at their God-given gifts and talents. For that, we … Continue reading Be of Good Courage, Christian Graduates! God Promises You a Great Future!
Sometimes you're feeling down, maybe really down... and your eyes light on something out of the blue... something that makes you smile. Today it's one of my daughter's simple deer drawings. The notepad is lying open, because she's working on her book, in my room, on the floor... because she never likes to be alone. … Continue reading Give God Your Failed Plans…God Prospers and Encourages Us with Silver Linings, Smiles, and Truth
Happy Palm Sunday! Here's my crooked little cross made from a palm branch. It's far from perfect; just like me! But I'm redeemed, and Jesus lives in my heart! Therefore, I am forgiven; washed in the blood of the lamb, as clean as purely white, fresh fallen snow! I am 2-1/2 weeks into recovery from … Continue reading It’s Palm Sunday! Rejoice!
I never expected God would fill me up with so much joy, at the exact same time I'd be recovering from major back surgery! I'm two weeks into recovery, and God has been lighting up my life! Now don't get me wrong... it hurts! The pain is intense. Just when I think the pain is … Continue reading The Unexpected Joy of REST
Yesterday marked one week into my recovery from back surgery. God announced His goodness by giving me a beautiful, sunny spring day to enjoy! I was so happy and excited! My twin young men cleaned off the umbrella table, and untied the chairs which had been stored for the winter, hoisting them effortlessly onto the … Continue reading The Family that Prays Together…
Exactly one week ago, was the big surgery day. For a while, I've thought the surgery was long overdue, but now I can see that God planned it to be this way all along. I want my family, friends, readers, writers, church, and even very kind strangers; to know that last week God showed up... … Continue reading When You’re Sick, God Shows Up… Because He’s Already There!
Dear readers of The Silver Lining, Today is my surgery day! I'm finally headed in for a lumbar fusion, after years of suffering with severely intense, chronic back pain. My God is in control, and I have peace and hope, because Jesus is at the wheel! Thank you to everyone who is praying for, supporting, … Continue reading Trusting God through Trials
Last night, while praying with my family, and discussing the Proverbs, my seven-year old daughter reminded me that she wanted to read the Proverbs too! Convicted, I realized this was the second night in a row that she had mentioned it to me, and that I had not included her when I had invited my … Continue reading The Heart of a Child Seeks Wisdom
I learned a tough lesson this week, but God proved Himself ever Faithful! There are "Christian" ministries out there with people who claim to know and love Jesus, but when faced with Truth, people who have been wandering off of God's path, will stubbornly dig in their heels, and refuse to budge. They refuse to … Continue reading Distracted, Rejected, NOT Dejected! 10 Truths
The Silver Lining 