“We Americans can’t keep one tenth of our population in an inferior position, just because their ancestors were once enslaved…and still be a healthy democracy. It isn’t Christian and it isn’t democratic, and most of us claim to be both.” – Carl Doss (Doss, 1954, p. 187-188) I read a delightful book recently, apparently somewhat …
Early in our marriage, Austin and I agreed to live a life of materialistic minimalism. This basically amounted to verbalizing a mindset that was already a part of our lives. Neither of us like ‘stuff.’ I particularly do not like ‘stuff’ that turns cleaning into a complex task. Currently we have a few photos on …
From my perch along the bank of the creek, I observed our son in the water, interacting with another family’s dog. I could sense my irritation rising slowly. Why? I internally sifted through the various potential causes of my escalating frustration. Earlier in the afternoon, after wandering along the overgrown bank of the creek for …
I was waiting at a coffee shop to see if anyone would make it out tonight to color with me. Most of my friends had passed on the invite, but still, there were a few who might venture out last minute. Maybe their plans will change. It was a miserably cold evening in the dark …
“A…abor…abortion. Abortion!” Our eldest son was attempting to make out a large sign held by a man in the middle of the intersection. We were exiting the highway, sitting at a red light. “What does that sign say?” asked one of the kids. They were all intrigued as the sign was nearly as tall as …
My swim coach, who had been pacing the side of the pool, intently watching his athletes progress through the workout, stopped and focused his gaze down my lane for a long while. Sure enough, when I reached the wall, he leaned down to speak to me. Now what? It was my arms again. I wasn’t …
“You’re rude. I want a new mom.” Our six-year-old adopted daughter was growling at me. Then, to get her point through, she yelled at me. “I hate you!“ Sigh. “I’ll love you wherever you are.” My answer was completely emotionless. She ran off down the hill toward the lake. No, that’s not right. I need to …
For our family one of the best ways to create positive, bonding moments is to get out of the house and experience something new together, just the eight of us (yes, I said eight of us). Over the last few years we have taken many one-day road trips. Why not overnight? Initially, as foster parents, …
It’s June again. I like June – the weather is hot enough for swimming, but not sweltering, school is nearly over, and summer vacation is calling our family into God’s great outdoors. June holds some sadness for us, mostly faint and fleeting now. June 12 is the anniversary of losing our oldest biological child to …
If you have been around contemporary Christian worship in the recent past, you are probably familiar with Hillsong’s Oceans. About 18 months into our foster care journey I dubbed this song “The Foster Care Song.” It was a frequent listen during some ups and downs then, but we had many Ocean experiences prior to that. …