For so many years, I tried to manage a life of constant busyness. My pace was rush, rush, rush — day in and day out. It felt like all I did was shuffle my kids around, toting them to-and-from private school, a 25-minute commute each way. For several years, when they were on different schedules, I drove this path back-and-forth several times a day. Five years of this wore me down.

I still remember the moment I had to face that question myself. It was my 43rd birthday, and I was in so much pain—physically, emotionally, spiritually. I had been struggling with chronic autoimmune diseases for over a decade, visiting specialist after specialist, while slowly watching my health, my relationships, and my joy fall apart. I was overweight, in constant pain, emotionally unstable, and spiritually weary. I had withdrawn from friendships. My marriage was strained.

Sisters, abiding is not passive. It is a powerful posture of trust. It’s a lifestyle of staying near, being nourished by God, and allowing His life to flow through ours. 

When you find your strength in God and seek Him each moment of every day, you will find that sense of balance. You may tip to the side, but nothing will prevail against you. The world may rage around you, but you will stand solid because your trust is in God. He is faithful, He is consistent.  He will keep you standing.

Seeking the peace of Jesus amidst the storms of life is no easy task. Being intentional is key—but how can we focus on intentionally seeking His peace when we feel overwhelmed by everything life throws our way?

In the messy parts of caregiving, there are calls for opening up to a new way of caring. Compassion became my lifeline, and it can become yours, too.

Abiding in the True Vine was my lifeline, and disconnection meant a slow death.  As years went on, my circumstances shifted. Sometimes they were better, other times they were worse, but time with Him was non-negotiable. I have learned and am continuing to learn that abiding in Him has different iterations. 

After spending 30 years in the classroom and raising two children of my own, I've seen firsthand how phones can either help or harm a child's development. As an experienced educator with over 67,000 hours working with kids, I've learned something crucial: the "right age" for a phone isn't about age at all – it's about readiness. My mission is to help parents raise kids who are smarter than their smartphones.

It’s easy to fly into ‘invisible’ webs if we’re not “sober and alert”. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8,NKJV)). As numerous voices vie for our attention, we must question everything and everyone who says anything … no matter what or who it is, or what platform or pulpit they speak from … and then bring the issue to the only One who knows the truth.

These in-between seasons can be difficult—the ones that fall between hope and heartbreak, between praying and receiving, between holding on and letting go. You’re no longer where you were, but not yet where you hoped to be. And your heart feels caught somewhere between striving and surrender. This is where I’ve been lately. Maybe you can relate.

“I just never have enough time to spend with the Lord. I work forty-plus hours a week, commute ninety minutes both ways, oversee elderly parents’ affairs, and take care of my five-year-old son. I’m either on the road, at my desk, or taking care of someone else’s needs. And on top of that, I never feel like I’m doing any of it well. What does God want from me in the middle of all this madness? How can I carve out time for Him? I feel like I’m constantly failing Him!”

Jesus wants us to lean on and live by His words. Remaining in Him reminds us we cannot, and do not need to, live by our own strength.

She wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t beautiful. The vines looked stripped and sparse. Piles of leafy cuttings lay in brittle heaps at their feet. Every twist, every wire, every bare stem was exposed. And in that moment, the Holy Spirit whispered: This is what abiding looks like, too.

Over these decades together, I've discovered that the secret sauce to marriage isn't winning arguments or proving who's right (though, let's face it, I certainly tried!), but individually abiding in Christ. Trust me, my natural instinct was to "fix" my husband—I had excellent plans—but God patiently reminded me that Rick wasn't a DIY project.

Maybe you’re reading this and wondering if God could really want you. Maybe your life feels too messy, too broken, too far gone. Let me gently speak this truth: Jesus gave Himself for you. And His arms are still open. He's waiting for you. 

People search for happiness in a lot of places. They look to things like relationships, money, vacations, houses, clothes, and even open doors of opportunity. Yet, while these things can bring a degree of excitement for a period of time, happiness is based on what is happening “in the moment.” 

Living a balanced and meaningful life requires more than just physical or mental effort—it requires a relationship with the living God. As believers, we are invited into a deeper connection with our Creator through Jesus Christ, empowered daily by the Holy Spirit.

Domestic violence affects millions of individuals and families every year, transcending boundaries of age, gender, and socioeconomic status. The consequences are profound, leaving victims scarred emotionally and physically.

Are you looking for a way to deepen your understanding of scripture and build meaningful connections with others? Engaging in faith study groups can be a vital part of your spiritual journey.

This morning, I was praying and asked the Holy Spirit to give me ideas to expand my territory (Jabez Prayer). I expected practical direction, maybe a to-do list, or a nudge toward new goals. Instead, I felt a gentle and sacred invitation: “Look at Jesus. Not just as God—but as a man.”