First, God cares. God, who created you, lovely girl, is the one who said: “Wait!” Wait for marriage to have sex — your white wedding dress the traditional symbol that you did. Doesn’t that make God a killjoy? Well, because He cares so much for you, and if marriage is part of His best plan…
The Marvelous Life of a Queen and the Children of the King
Unexpectedly, I’ve teared up several times in the last eight days over the death of Queen Elizabeth II. This brave and honorable lady touched lives here “across the pond” in America and around the world. Of course, she was imperfect, but known to set anyone at ease; fun-loving, yet serious about the things that mattered.…
Could I Be More Grateful ? — My Reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane
Like the olive treeAncient branches knotted, fused —Your will one with that of the Father.Branches twisted, pierced through.Soon Your sinews, muscles would strain, contorted,Flesh torn.Yet You chose to meet Your betrayerWent willingly, boundYou who spread out a universeTo declare Your glory.Now Your glory shoneFrom obedience to deathOn a cross of wood.Fulfilling all things,Righteous Branch,You burst…
When You’re Crippled by Shame and Meet a King Compelled by Kindness
I had read this surprising story before. But for the first time I realized there was more meaning in it for me — for us — than I could have imagined. It's a true story, of a king compelled by kindness and a pauper crippled by shame. Years before he came into power, the king…
Once an Alien, One May Wonder —Always an Alien?
Have you ever been an alien? I have — a registered, certified alien. There may be reason to doubt, but, no, not the extra-terrestrial kind. As a single American for four years in Mexico, and as a wife, then mother, for 28 years in the Philippines, I was a resident alien. I needed to continually…
Healthy Ingredients for a Marriage: Are We Stirring up a Feast?
“It would be worth a thousand dollars,” my friend and mentor said when I told her what I wanted. That sounded like way more than I was used to spending for anything. I had told her I had long-standing questions about my marriage, but didn’t know if I could afford counseling. Ed and I loved…
It’s the Little Things That Make You Blue
It's the Little Things for Ed It’s the little things that just won’t wait. It’s the little things that make us late. It’s the little things that I must do, It’s the little things that make you blue. I’ll dye my roots; I’ll bake some bread. I must put clean sheets on the bed. This…
With Love and Respect for All
With the sorrow, pain, and racial tensions we have been feeling in the U.S. these days, I am remembering a time when I experienced some of the most intense feelings I have ever had. My husband Ed and I, both white Americans, were with a group of other people from our organization, from Ghana, the…
A 3,000-Year-Old Conversation Taught Me About Holding My Husband in Weighty Esteem
My marriage has had its ups and downs, like any. But God has had His finger on one area for a while now: RESPECT. Where women crave love, men crave respect. God designed us that way. To make the deal sweeter, He commanded spouses to give each other the very thing they crave. Men are…
The Nearness of God 