The result of our deepest desiressurrendered to a faithful God. by Veda Thomas Hall Persistent, paralyzing doubt gripped my mind as I agonized in prayer. Lord, is this opportunity to attend college Your desire or my own selfish desire? Could a college education possibly be God’s direction at this time in my life while…
Category: Home and Family
And Baby Makes Two
Sowing in tears, reaping in joy. by Harriet E. Michael “Mom. . . I’m pregnant.” My twenty-year-old daughter, a junior at a Christian college, spoke in a calm voice, rocking my world and changing it forever. The phone had rung a little before midnight, waking me from a sound sleep. My daughter continued, “I’ve…
Personal Wailing Wall
A place to talk to God, no matter where we are. by Susan Browning Schulz The ring of the phone startled me. I glanced at the caller ID and quickly lifted the receiver. “Hi, Dad. What’s up?” “Suzi, the hospital here in the Keys is unable to do anything more for your mother.” I…
Emergency Landing
Putting trust to the test. by Karen Foster I’m no stranger to commercial air travel. I’m not afraid to fly. However, I still listen when the flight attendant says, “Please give us your full attention while we review the emergency procedures.” That’s because an emergency landing once got my full attention. It was Veteran’s…
Child of Promise
The sufficiency of Christ . . . when we need Him most. by Donna Scales The telephone call came on a Friday afternoon — the call that changed our family’s future. The caller identified himself as Dr. Combs.* Why would he be calling? I wondered. We just saw him this morning. Dr. Combs was…
The Mother-Daughter Miracle
Prayer and the power of changed lives. by Rose Davidson* The rage in her eyes skewered me to the floor like a dagger. “No, Mommy, no!” I screamed, my shaking hands covering my bottom. Undeterred, she jerked my arm. The belt slapped my legs repeatedly. “Didn’t I say one swat for each thing you…
Betrayal
After years of deception, the ugly truth comes out. by Jeannie Moore The day started off like any normal day for me. I met my husband, Jerry,* at our favorite restaurant for lunch. We discussed the children’s program we both were involved in at church. We briefly talked about my classes at the college…
Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse
by Barbara Burrell Brandon was born healthy and normal on August 27, 1992. When he was five weeks old, his biological father shook him hard enough that his brain began to hemorrhage. Brandon was taken to surgery where ninety percent of his left temporal lobe – the cognitive, speaking, and fine motor skills part…
A Heart Divided
When looks deceive. by by Donna Swanson I was on an imaginary “walk in the garden” with six other women. We were told to close our eyes and imagine birds singing and butterflies arcing across the sky. We were told a figure was walking toward us: Jesus, smiling and reaching His hand out in…
Signs of Sexual Abuse
by Jeannie Moore Sexual abuse is widespread. Some estimate that as many as a third of all girls are molested. And it’s damaging; it brings physical, emotional, and psychological trauma that may last a lifetime. Children often keep sexual abuse a secret. Sometimes they do so because they don’t have the language to describe…