The woman who remains today isn’t the same woman she once was. I’ve become aware that strength doesn’t come from holding everything together but from resting in the One who already holds everything together.

As I watched the birds gather faithfully at the feeder, another thought came to mind. They come expectantly. Daily. Trusting provision will be there waiting for them. And I thought about God watching us. Not watching with disappointment or impatience—but with loving attentiveness.

Apparently, my new Apple Watch can do quite a lot. It tracks heart rate and sleep patterns, detects falls, and even lets others know where you are if needed. As I looked at those three rings lighting up on my wrist, I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a spiritual lesson tucked inside that tiny screen.

When my husband passed away, there were no filters strong enough to hide my heartache.

I used to measure productivity by progress, things accomplished, boxes checked, and goals met. But this season has asked something different of me. It has asked me to give myself grace when things don’t go as planned.

Healing is rarely swift. Growth is seldom tidy.
Sometimes God’s most tender work happens in the places we never planned to visit.

Christian growth doesn’t only happen in lush gardens with perfect conditions. Often, it happens in the cracks, when we are pressed, when life feels barren, and when no one seems to notice. Yet, God notices. His Spirit nourishes us in unseen ways, giving us strength to rise day after day.

They say you’ve seen it all by a certain age, but life has a way of keeping us humble and amused. Case in point: my youngest grandchild showed up for a sleepover, proudly carrying his dinosaur toothbrush and his own tube of toothpaste. Apparently, Mimi’s toothpaste...