Each year I pick a word to meditate on...I know. The whole concept can seem a bit hokey, but for wordsmiths, this concept is an exhilarating gem. It's a way for me to stay focused on God, and His character, throughout the ups and downs and crazy distractions that mark each year. Past words of the year have been bold, peace, presence...you get the idea. After much thought and prayer, 2020's word of the year is follow. This word wasn't chosen lightly. This past season has been the most difficult I've ever walked. It was filled with trauma, rejection, devastation, and…

“I’m dreaming of a White Christmas, just like the ones I used to---” Eli punched the scan button of the car radio dial with a little more force than necessary before curling his fingers back around the steering wheel. Static mingled with the broken sounds of passing Christmas tunes, news radio, and twangy country ballads. From the backseat, Joshua sighed. Eli glanced at him through the rearview mirror. “What’re you thinking about, buddy?” “Mom.” Joshua’s eyes listlessly roved over the passing scenery. “She loved Christmas music.” A knot lodged in Eli’s throat as he forced himself to focus on the…

Last night, I sang a solo in church entitled "Be Born in Me". It's a haunting and beautifully composed set of lyrics woven around the thoughts that might have spun through young Mary's mind and heart as Gabriel revealed the news that God had chosen her to give birth to the long-awaited Messiah. Here is a portion of the lyrics: Everything inside me cries for order Everything inside me wants to hide Is this shadow an angel or a warrior? If God is pleased with me, why am I so terrified? Someone tell me I am only dreaming Somehow help…

There are so many traditions I adore about Christmas…hanging stockings over the fireplace, caroling, and reading Luke 2 as a family on Christmas Eve. Of course, the crazy thing about traditions is that growing up, we usually accept them and rarely question them until the habit becomes truth in our mind. As one person put it, “Tradition is peer pressure from dead people.” Imagine my surprise when I recently read through Luke 2 looking to learn more about the stable Jesus was born in. No stable was mentioned so I flipped to Matthew. No stable there either. I opened up…

I'm delighted to have Leanna Sain on the blog today. When I heard about the premise for Leanna's upcoming release, I was instantly intrigued. We cared for my grandmother for many years while she battled dementia so I easily connected to Leanna's heart. I hope you enjoy her as much as I do. Welcome, Leanna! We suspected it for months…maybe even years. It started as little things. Things Mama said or did… things she should remember, but didn’t… something not quite right; occasional at first, but growing in frequency. Now we knew, but knowing didn’t make it easier. Alzheimer’s. What…

"Ugh! Why'd you have to put dandelions in your story? I hate dandelions!" I've heard the sentiment several times from adults when they hear the title of my latest novel Where Dandelions Bloom. My only response is a smile and an internal snicker. Their attitude is the whole reason why I chose that resilient little flower for the story. Several springs ago, I was scrolling through social media, admiring everyone's plans for their lawns and flower beds. There seemed to be a resounding cry from the diligent ones who yearned to be on the cover of Better Homes and Gardens: "If only…