I desire to do Your will, my God. Psalm 40:8

When it’s not frustrating raising teens, it’s fascinating! Watching them stumble through the ups and downs of growing up is more riveting than TV. Like they say about a good movie: “I laugh. I cry. I’m moved!”

But nothing moves me more than when my kids want to do better.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. Ephesians 5:15-16

Shortly before Thanksgiving, my double oven died. Turns out the control panel needs to be replaced. With the digital chip shortage, it could be a while before the part becomes available.

Initially, I defaulted to the “woe is me” response. The oven isn’t our only appliance that’s gone on the fritz in the past six months. We recently replaced the dishwasher. And the repair guy for the refrigerator has been here so often, I fed him dinner last week!

It’s not surprising though. Eighteen years ago, when our home was built, all the appliances were bought new, at the same time. It makes sense, then, that they’re all dying at the same time too. It just gets overwhelming to have it happen all at once. Until I look on the bright side…

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The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. Psalm 146:8

Zack and I have been having a tough run lately. It’s no singular incident; it’s just par for the course. He’s seventeen and thinks he knows it all. I’m a control freak and want him to see and do life like I do. That combination creates friction in just about every interaction we have.

I also feel the clock ticking. By this time next year, he’ll be away in college and my opportunity to mold and shape him will be gone. That makes for added pressure to turn every interaction into a teaching moment – one he doesn’t want to hear because he thinks he already knows it all. Can you see the cycle? Can you envision the friction?

Then enters God, stage left.

Published on CatholicMom.com

The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today! Luke 2:11

Those of us who haven’t taken theology classes can be confused sometimes by what we read in the Bible. Some Scripture can be so ambiguous, one scholar interprets it differently than another.

But not Luke 2:11. There’s no misunderstanding the angels when they announce to the shepherds that the Savior has been born. To make their message foolproof, the angels go on to call Jesus the Messiah, the Lord.

For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:8

Jocelyn came into the kitchen yesterday, hopping on one foot, saying “refrigerator, refrigerator, refrigerator!” When I asked her why she was chanting that, she said, “I’m saying ‘refrigerator’ so I don’t say anything bad.” Come to find out, she’d stubbed her toe and it hurt a lot. Rather than giving in and saying something she shouldn’t, she chose a random word and repeated it.

It got me thinking.

Join me Monday, Dec. 13th, live at 7 p.m. ET on https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity for Session 3, the last session of the Grace in Tension Catholic Mom Advent Book Club. We’ll talk about four additional ways to reduce stress so we can find the time to sit at the feet of the Christ Child.

A repost from 2015

“They have eyes to see but do not see and ears to hear but do not hear…” Ezekiel 12:2

I never tell my kids where we’re going. Instead, I call every outing an “adventure.” I just tell them what to wear, what to bring, and when to get in the car. So, when we went to Crossing Life Church’s narrated hay ride this past Saturday night, my kids had no idea what to expect.

For forty-five minutes we waited in line in the cold. But it was a beautiful night, a splendor of stars in the sky. They had hot cocoa to sip, and we took turns getting out of line to warm up at the bonfire. Finally, after our long wait, we climbed into the wagon with excitement.

Join me tonight, Monday, Dec. 6th, live at 7 p.m. ET on https://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity for Session 2 of the Grace in Tension Catholic Mom Advent Book Club. We’ll talk about four major ways we can reduce tension so we experience the joy of Christmas.

When Jesus reached the spot, He looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed Him gladly. Luke 19:5-6

Mason did something this morning that drove me right over the edge. Before I could even think of stopping myself, I was yelling at him with all my might. He’s fifteen. Of course he started arguing back. It wasn’t even 7 a.m., I hadn’t had my coffee yet, and already the day was a disaster.

I stormed out of the kitchen to finish getting myself ready for the day. When I came back ten minutes later, Mason was sincerely contrite, hugged me, and apologized. Who does that? Who, in an instant, owns their mistakes, resolves to do better, and then does?