My daughter Kyla turned the magical age of 16 on June 1st. The one that made me a momma. The trailblazer and pioneer of the family. My reliable, dependable, loyal, sweet, beautiful, and bright firstborn child. I’m pretty sure that I have navigated every emotion possible in the last 6 months…

In June, we celebrate Father's Day! For the early part of my life, I never thought about this day and did not celebrate what it represents. My father died when I was two years old, and my grandfathers had died before I was born. So being fatherless was all I knew.

Since the Civil War, Americans have observed Memorial Day to honor and remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country and the freedoms that we have today. This weekend, I stood among the many who did the same, but my reflections did not stop there.

I was in Sam’s Club one afternoon searching for a case of nacho chips. I was so focused. I knew exactly what I was looking for.

So, tell me something. What do you do when something is in your way? Are you the type of person who moves around it, jumps over it, or waits for it to move before you do?

It's so easy to say that I am unqualified.

All you have to do is take a sneak peek into my life or my mind and it becomes painfully clear that I do not meet the qualifications.

I have this imaginary qualifying list I use as a measuring stick to determine if I am adequate enough to be used by God.

Have you ever had a Mother's Day that you will never forget, but not for a good reason?

On a Mother's Day years ago, my plate was full as a young pastor's wife with two small children, a growing church, and a full-time job as an insurance agent. While successful at my job, I often felt I didn't measure up to what was expected of the pastor's wife.

A few years ago, I was at a retreat, and one of the speakers was a sweet young woman who shared about her life. She was a quiet Christian girl who had had a happy upbringing…

Lately, I’ve been pondering the goodness and the promise of the provision of God. Our Father is Jireh, our Provider. Do I truly live with this mentality and belief? Do I fully depend on His provision, or do I lean more on what I think I need and should have?

There was a time during the teenage years when my mom and dad talked to me about the dangers of the “crowd.”  I definitely didn’t understand the value of this conversation at the time, but I do now!

Have you ever gotten off track? You start well but then find yourself heading in the wrong direction? Maybe you decide to take a shortcut or copy someone else’s journey because it seems faster and easier.

Have you ever felt insecure in your calling or position in life? Has there been days where you gaze at what lies on your plate and you think, “There is no way I can do this!”

Drop everything you are doing right now at this moment. I have some very exciting news for you.  You have just won….

Matthew 14 gives the only account of Peter’s attempt to walk on water.  The other versions of the story in Mark and John only recount that Jesus walked to the disciples who were frantically rowing against the wind that night while out to sea. 

Have you ever had someone correct your posture while sitting or standing? If this occurred while sitting, the correction may have gone something like this:

Back straight. Shoulders back. Hands folded. Knees bent at a right angle. Feet flat on the floor. 

Years ago, a well-known, large family-owned Christian bookstore in Allentown called Hackman's Bible Bookstore was a top-rated shopping destination. These were the days before Kindle and Amazon.

This song popped in my head after I asked that question:

So, what is love…

Are you munching on some chocolate leftover from yesterday’s treats? While you do, take a minute to turn in your Bible to Song of Solomon 2:4:

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me is love.”