I, the Lord, explore the mind and test the heart, giving all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their deeds. Jeremiah 17:10

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I’d hazard a guess that the beginning of motherhood was the same for each one of us: Our first child trained us up to be the mom we needed to be. I, for one, worked hard to meet Zack’s needs, stretching myself in ways I hadn’t thought possible. But you do what you have to do. I did, and I thought I was good to go.

When my second child, Mason, came along, my confidence level was high. I knew exactly what to do to mother him. Oh how wrong I was! Continue reading →

So grateful to Nancy Ward over at JoyAlive.net for featuring an excerpt from my Lenten devotional each Wednesday on her series, “With Our Savior Wednesdays.” Continue reading →

“Finally, he sent his son to them thinking, ‘They will respect my son.'” Mt 21:37

My mom has been a Special Police Officer in my hometown for over forty years. From time to time, she had to participate in target practice and serve on matron duty when a female was taken into custody. Mostly, she directed traffic for the schools, and still does so today.

As a senior in high school, I was pulled over for speeding on the way to our rival’s school to toilet paper the place before the big Thanksgiving game. You can bet I mentioned my mother’s name as soon as I could, hoping to get special treatment. Sure enough, I got just a tap on the wrist and a quick lecture to slow down. Continue reading →

I will pour My Spirit upon your offspring, and My blessings on your descendants. Isaiah 44:3

Published on CatholicMom.com

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My kids’ buses leave pretty early for school. After I get ready in the morning, we’re really only crossing paths for five or ten minutes before they’re heading out the door.

The short crossover further emphasizes the fact that they’re now out of my sight more than they’re in it. Knowing that how they spend their time will have a big impact on who they become, I worry about all they’re exposed to that I can’t control. That’s a tough thing to come to terms with as an extreme Type A Control Freak.

I had to come up with a plan to ease my concerns. Continue reading →

I’d like to thank Nancy Ward, at Joy Alive, for featuring a reflection from my Lenten booklet, With Our Savior, on her blog each Wednesday of Lent. Continue reading →

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.  Proverbs 16:32

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Home is supposed to be a safe place where we can be ourselves, warts and all. Although I’ve tried and succeeded in creating that safe space for my family, I’ve made an enormous mistake in defining how that works.

I’m one of those people you’ll never see mad in public. I’m a people pleaser: I don’t want to risk hurting or offending anyone. It’s far easier to swallow my anger than it is to apologize for it after the fact.

It’s a whole different story in private. In the safety of my own home, I’ve taken great pride in letting my emotions fly. I want my kids to see that life is hard sometimes; I have my fair share of struggles; and emotions need to be worked through in order to be let go.

The mistake I’ve made is teaching my kids that it’s okay to let our emotions rule us. I honestly believe it’s a mistake society is making as a whole. Continue reading →