The Endless To-Do List
Lately, I’ve been in what I like to call “solving mode” — constantly tweaking my schedule, trying new systems, and chasing that elusive balance. It seems like every time I finally get into a good rhythm… something happens to derail it.
And then the stress hits — not because I’m lazy or unmotivated, but because my to-do list is (if I’m honest) completely unreasonable. Every time I look at it, I can feel the weight settle in my chest, knowing I’ll never accomplish everything I’ve written down. So why do I keep adding more?
I think there are a few reasons.
Sometimes, it’s because I don’t want to forget something I’d like to do “someday.” Other times, it’s because I love the idea of a project — even if I know deep down I’ll probably never get around to it. But if I’m really honest, the biggest reason is that I’ve bought into what our culture keeps shouting: that my worth is tied to how much I do.
Read more...One of the hardest parts of sending my kids off to college—especially when they’re nearly 900 miles away—is not being able to be there for the little things. I can’t bring them home when life feels overwhelming, and I can’t drop by with soup when they’re sick. But over the past few years, I’ve found some practical ways to stay connected and care for them, even from a distance.
Here are a few things that have made a difference for us:
Handwritten notes and care packages. College students love mail! In an age of texts and emails, a letter in their mailbox is special. Care packages with snacks, small gifts, or even inside jokes always brightened my kids’ days.
Supplements for their health. Cafeteria food isn’t always the most nutritious. Making sure they had vitamins and supplements gave me peace of mind that they were supporting their health in the gaps.
Read more...Back to school happened about a month ago for us. Many of you have already made this transition, and some of you may even be sending your child to college for the very first time. Since this is my fifth year of sending one or both of my kids to Cedarville University in Ohio—nearly 900 miles away—I thought I’d share what I’ve learned about supporting them from afar.
I won’t sugarcoat it: leaving them there was hard on my heart. I knew it was where God wanted them, but supporting them from nearly 900 miles away has been a learning curve. At times, I felt like I was failing—like I wasn’t doing enough or didn’t have the right answers for their hard questions. But God…those two words have carried me through. He is sufficient when I am not. He has provided for them in ways I could never have orchestrated myself.
Read more...Week 5: Grateful for Love—Then and Now
This part of my story holds both deep sorrow and unexpected joy.
I will always be grateful for the godly man I was privileged to call my husband. He was strong, faithful, and deeply committed to our family. He prayed over us, led us with wisdom, and lived his life in a way that quietly impacted so many. His love shaped me. His example pointed others to Christ. I miss him every day.
Even now, years later, I still feel his absence. I still tear up when I hear certain songs or see our children do something he would have been proud of. And yet, woven into that grief is gratitude. Deep, steady, sacred gratitude—for the years we had, the memories we made, and the way God used him to leave a lasting legacy.
And then… God surprised me.
Read more...Week 4: Grateful in the Hard, Because God Doesn’t Waste Pain
Gratitude isn’t always a natural response to hardship. It’s easier to be thankful when life is peaceful, predictable, and full of blessings we can clearly see. But in the middle of suffering—when the future feels foggy and the weight of grief is heavy—it’s a lot harder to find reasons to be grateful.
And yet, looking back, some of my deepest growth has come from those hardest seasons.
Grief, illness, and the long road of single parenting after loss have shaped me in ways I never expected. They’ve brought me to the end of myself again and again—and led me straight into God’s presence. I’ve seen His comfort in new ways, learned to depend on Him more fully, and discovered a deeper compassion for others who are hurting.
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