I want to begin this post with a disclaimer. I have wonderful in-laws! They are sweet, generous people who love God, each other, and enjoy loving on others. So, when I felt the need to touch on this topic, I wanted to make sure our readers know it is in no way in a poor reflection of them. ~smile~ When they leave us or we leave them, I feel pangs of sadness and wish we were not 3,000 miles away from each other. Sadly, many others cannot say this of their in-law experience. Too many times, holidays end in tears, confrontation, or discouragement. Sometimes problems between in-laws are due to … [Read more...]

It is often easier to be thankful at Thanksgiving. We go around the table and say something for which we are thankful, eat turkey until we fall asleep, and then wake up to football or some other family fun. We are off work, with our families, and our tummies are full. Well, of course we are thankful! But, what about every other day? I don’t know about you, but I struggle to be thankful when I am not 100% comfortable. When it is too hot or too cold, I want to complain. When I am too rushed or too bored, I want to complain. When I am too busy or too lonely, I want to complain. Human nature is … [Read more...]

“Happy Valentine’s Day!” The attractive civil court clerk smiled her big toothy grin at me as I handed her documents to file. She was a vibrant newlywed who surely had amazing plans to look forward to at the end of her day; whereas, I was a teenager scorned (or, maybe just between boyfriends). Her greeting was common and in no way malicious; but, nevertheless, I felt a strong urge to punch her in the face. Valentine’s Day held no joy for me and I did not want anyone else to enjoy it either! Everywhere I went, there were hearts and flowers. It was annoying, quite frankly. Was everyone in the … [Read more...]