Comfort for your Body: Listening to your body (Psalm 56:8)

“You have kept count of my tossings;put my tears in your bottle.Are they not in your record?” -Psalm 56:8 Our bodies have often been seen as something separate from our true selves or our spiritual being.  But, in fact, we are created with bodies by God.  And our bodies, instead of being separate from, often

From Surviving to Thriving: A Blessing

You have probably heard it said (or uttered it yourself):  The days are long but the years are short!  When in a situation where you feel stretched to nearly breaking, you remember:  This too shall pass.  The reality of the challenges (and exhaustion) we face is:  This will not last forever, but it may be

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Radical Acceptance (Psalm 139: 19-21)

“O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me —those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil!“Psalm 139:19-21 Practice radical acceptance this week with a meditation prayer.  While sitting with your palms facing upwards, breathe in slowly and then exhale completely. 

From Surviving to Thriving: Radical Acceptance (Comfort: Psalm 139:19-21)

“O that you would kill the wicked, O God, and that the bloodthirsty would depart from me— those who speak of you maliciously, and lift themselves up against you for evil!” -Psalm 139:19-21 This is not the life I thought I’d be living. Whether it’s the sleepless nights of new parenthood, the stressful realities of

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Truth-Telling

Spend a few moments today journaling the truth of your situation. Find a comfortable space and using your journal, loose-leaf paper, or an index card, take time to do an unedited brain dump of some truth you are carrying around in your head and heart. Perhaps it’s a short list of what you know for

From Surviving to Thriving: Telling the Truth (Comfort: Psalm 139: 15-16)

My frame was not hidden from you,when I was being made in secret,intricately woven in the depths of the earth.Your eyes beheld my unformed substance.In your book were writtenall the days that were formed for me,when none of them as yet existed.Psalm 139:15-16 A few years ago, when our family was going through a tough

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Being Myself (Psalm 139:

“For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works;that I know very well.” Psalm 139:13-14 How do we practice being ourselves?  How do we celebrate being unique while still participating in community life?  We are

From Surviving to Thriving: To Each Their Own Journey (Comfort: Psalm 139: 11-12)

“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness shall cover me,and the light around me become night,‘even the darkness is not dark to you;the night is as bright as the day,for darkness is as light to you.“Psalm 139:11 and 12 We’re sitting at a middle school soccer game and a parent off to the right, down along

From Surviving to Thriving: The Joy of Balance (Psalm 139: 9-10)

“If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,  even there your hand shall lead me,and your right hand shall hold me fast.” -Psalm 139: 9-10 Each of us is a unique coming together of God’s handiwork.  We are a mixture of personality, intellect and the environment around

From Surviving to Thriving: Slowing Down (Comfort: Psalm 139: 7-8)

“Where can I go from your spirit?    Or where can I flee from your presence?If I ascend to heaven, you are there;    if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there.”Psalm 139:7-8 When my youngest son started Kindergarten his wise teacher shared a beautiful and simple handout comparing children’s growth development to a carefully tended flower.