Navigating the ups and downs of addictive behavior. by K. P. Rojas The letter sat on my desk, unopened. Why was I afraid to open it? Because I knew there was something in that letter I didn’t want to read, didn’t want to tackle. I had no idea its pages would lead to a…
Tag: Death and Grief
The Baby I Never Held
The God of all comfort knows how to soothe our grief. by Eva C. Maddox A wave of nausea swept over me as I prepared breakfast. Simultaneously, a troubling thought soared through my brain. I couldn’t be pregnant! Not now — when my toddler is finally into big boy underwear. No! I had spent…
No Easy Answers
A teacher’s toughest lesson. by Diane Stark “Diane, Michael’s mom is here to see you,” the school secretary said, interrupting my kindergarten classroom one Monday morning. I turned and looked at the secretary. “I’m teaching right now. Can it wait?” “She really needs to see you,” she insisted. Interruption I left my students in…
Driftwood
The long path to peace and healing. by Pat Voyce Life so far had gone as we’d planned. We had a cozy little home, satisfying careers, and an amiable network of family and friends. Anchored in a calm joy of plans achieved, we looked forward to the next phase: the ease of retirement and…
How to Avoid Foot in Mouth Syndrome
When someone is grieving, it’s bestto think before we speak. by Courtney Newbery As the woman walked into the room, eyes puffy from crying, my normally chatty group of friends fell into a deafening silence. Glances were averted, and hands began busying themselves with any available distraction. An elephant was definitely in the room,…
When God Says No
Finding a way through the darkness of doubt. by Pastor Bob Leitton as told to Penny Smith Shoving my sermon notes aside, I reached for the phone with a sigh. Seems like its cue to ring is linked to my quiet time. “Bob, come — pray for me.” Ruth’s voice trembled with the words…
Wake-Up Call
Sometimes God goes to great lengths to get our attention. by Cindy Adams “First stop, Mississippi!” I adjusted my rear-view mirror and backed out of my driveway. “Let’s listen to Harps and Halos first.” I handed Jessica the CD pack and then opened the map between us. Jessica’s seniority of being seven years old…
A Royal Inheritance
Because of Whose we are, death is a time to party. by Kathleen R. Ruckman Stars didn’t sparkle in the night, and a limousine didn’t pick us up, but Eileen and I were dressed as though we were on our way to the Academy Awards! It all began earlier that day when we had…
The First Seven Days
When silence and compassion are enough. by Kathleen R. Ruckman There are times when silence is golden, when we are at a loss for words because, simply, any word chosen would be grossly inappropriate. Often in times of illness, suffering, and despair, silence and compassion are enough. An ancient story drives home this truth….
How to Climb a Mountain
(when you want to sit and cry)Guidelines for dealing with the businessof a loved one’s death. by Ann Peachman So this is what executor means. I guess I signed up for this. When my husband died after an intense year of illness, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. During that year, I had taken…