How God repaired and restored a shattered life. by Therese Marszalek I stared at the once-broken flower vase. Careful hands had rearranged the clay pieces and glued them together. Inside a small candle burned; the flame peeked through the jagged cracks, creating a beautiful reflection in the darkness of the room. The damaged yet…
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Choosing to Love
What God did with the rotten remainsof a failing marriage. by Kathy Collard Miller When Larry and I had been married seven years, we were completely disillusioned with each other. I couldn’t understand why he didn’t love me anymore. He certainly was far from being the Prince Charming I’d married. Oh Lord, what’s wrong…
Read moreThe Tender Place in Childless Families
It’s not a sin to be a family of two. by Dianne E. Butts “Did that question bother you?” Debbie asked. We were studying the biblical story of Hannah, a married woman who for a long time couldn’t conceive. We discussed how she might have taught her toddler, Samuel, about God before leaving him…
Read moreTips for Helping Infertile Couples
Do’s and don’ts on a difficult subject. by Marlo Schalesky Infertile couples are everywhere — in our churches, small groups, families, and neighborhoods. In fact, one out of every six couples in America experience infertility. And despite their polite smiles, these couples are often hurting — filled with longing, pain, and questions that have…
Read moreIf God Really Loved Me . . .
When we don’t understand God’s ways. by Marlo Schalesky “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. . . .” It’s such a simple song. I learned it as a child and sang it probably a thousand times. I never thought to doubt it, until a few short years ago….
Read moreChildless on Mother’s Day
by Marlo M. Schalesky This was the day I dreaded most of the year. I almost stayed home. I almost pleaded sickness. I almost rolled over in bed and pulled the covers over my head in tight denial. But I didn’t. Now, though, I wished I had. With trembling hands, I clutched my Bible…
Read moreDreams That Grow Bigger After They’re Broken
by Mary Dunham She had nothing that was exclusively hers. She shared her husband with another woman: his name, his love, his bed. She had no children of her own to keep her company during the long nights when he was with her, no one to take her side during the days of sizzling…
Read moreIdentity Theft
Getting to know ourselves and God in times of crisis. by Joyce Hoey Through the icy pane of my kitchen window, I gazed. The poplars stood rigid, their bare, brittle limbs thrust against the chill winter air. Within my weary soul the ice was slowly melting. I began to come alive again. My sorrow…
Read moreUnexpected Rejection
The subject no one wants to talk about. by Sherrie Eldridge I always knew I was adopted. My parents broke the news when I was just old enough to understand: “We chose you out of all the babies in the world to be ours.” Though my adoptive parents tried to make me feel special,…
Read moreConfessions of a Lost Lamb
Wandering away, but ever in the sight of God. by Marcy Zipf I was at fault for losing our home. I spent our mortgage money on frivolous things or on items to spoil my kids, then lied to my husband as to where the money had gone. I couldn’t make the payments on my…
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