I will rejoice in the Lord

I am sitting a school dinner, and the lady beside me introduces herself. She then proceeds to tell me that Dmitriy saved her life. She heard he was my brother in law. But at this point, I'm really confused how he could've saved her life. Then, she shows me a picture of her car: "Just…

When Life Gets Tough

Maybe the world was always so messed up. I'm not exactly sure. When I was a kid, it seemed pretty good. My parents fed me, clothed me, lavished me with toys, gave me a safe and loving home. I was sure everyone lived like this. Until I became an adult. The protection of my parents…

Why Do We Have Hardships?

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 Joseph's story is one of my favorites to read! It is filled with so much emotion. It is quite…

Comfort for a Tired Mom

3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Moms get tired...reeeallly tired sometimes. And some days I think and even say out loud, "I can't wait until the kiddos grow up." Especially when teethings season starts. Or flu season. Or the terrible twos...or threes, or whatever terrible season…

Unique Hardships

To the woman he said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe;     with painful labor you will give birth to children. To Adam he said,   “Cursed is the ground because of you;     through painful toil you will eat food from it     all the days of your life. Women just got it tough. Painful…

Fear Not

When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:3-4 A good friend of my dad just buried his 48 year old wife. And I thought to myself, I have no idea when will be the last time I see…

Through the Storm

Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. Acts 27:21 The more I read about Paul in Acts, the more amazed I am with how close he was to God. The Holy Spirit guided…

Broken Dreams

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 The worst possible situation has happened. Something you were always afraid of. Or something you never even expected. But life happens. It’s full of ups and downs as you probably have noticed already. And when the downs come, we have hope. We see…

From Hardship to Empathy

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Romans 12:15 No one ever said life was going to be easy. Quite the opposite is true. Jesus said that a life that follows Him will encounter many hardships. Yes, there will be many trials. But the good news is, going through hardships…

Bruises, Scratches, and Gashes

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26 Anyone with a toddler knows just how many times you will have to comfort your child when they…