How do you celebrate when you’re missing a loved one? I wish I knew the answer to that. In a few short days we’ll be ‘celebrating’ my youngest brother’s 31st birthday. Unlike other birthday celebrations, this one is bittersweet. And it’s for one reason and one reason only. Carlos is not here to celebrate with us. Just […]
The Unexpected Journey to Healing, Hope and Friendship
Tears welled up in my eyes for no good reason. As I stood before the Immigration Officer I knew I needed to hold it together. I was turned back in the line because I stepped up before I was called. A simple thing really. But in that moment it was just too much. I felt […]
Finding Hope When You Didn’t See That Brick Coming
If it’s one thing we can expect is that life will be hard. Sounds harsh doesn’t it? When you think about it, this is why we can really appreciate the hope we have in Christ. We will all face difficulties at some stage. But what if instead of being blindsided by life and all its challenges […]
Thanks in all circumstances — are you sure God?
Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Believe it or not, God’s goodness is not dependent on life’s circumstances. His goodness is constant, unchanging and predicable even (and especially) when life is not. I started learning this lesson a few weeks ago when I […]
Joy in the Morning – When grief tries to steal your sparkle
What do you do when grief takes a hold of your heart and doesn’t want to let it go? I’m writing this exactly one year after my father died. His wasn’t a tragic death. In fact, we knew it was coming. Although, I don’t know if knowing made it any easier. There were some (many) […]