Stacy Sanchez never thought her golden years would be spent this way. She and her husband had plans—a quaint retirement by the beach, mornings spent sipping coffee and evenings filled with peace. But everything changed when Child Protective Services dropped off her seven-year-old grandson with nothing but a small bag and a shattered heart.
while the holidays are supposedly all about coming together, there’s a reason I’d rather hibernate in my stretch pants, messy bun, maybe a day or two past my last shower, and watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” with an endless supply of eggnog (more precisely, the creamy non-alcoholic kind). All that festive chaos? Not exactly my idea of a good time. As a bipolar mom with manic tendencies and anxiety served with a side of ADHD, holiday gatherings give me a little extra “something” to manage.
When Joan C. Benson and Marjorie Wingert drove six hours together to a writers conference, neither predicted they would embark on a divinely orchestrated partnership. Together, Benson and Wingert bridge generations, cultures, and abilities to create children’s books addressing today’s most challenging topics.
As we enter a new year, I must be honest: to me, it just feels heavy. There’s a sinking feeling that’s been lingering in me these past few months, an urge to put the shutters up on life and keep out whatever the future may bring. The uncertainty can feel overwhelming, and it’s tempting to shrink back, to withdraw into a place where things feel safer and more manageable. But even in these moments, I’m beginning to recognize something powerful: God has me here, even now, amid all this uncertainty.
How many of us are limping through life, nursing hidden wounds that we’re too afraid or too busy to address? We keep moving, convinced that our purpose lies ahead, all while a “soul wound” is silently sabotaging our progress.
By Amber Weigand-Buckley —During a moment of reflection in my backyard, God spoke one word to my heart: FOCUS. It was a simple yet profound message that made me question how I could achieve it.
Have you been building idols in your life to other people’s opinions?
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. —James 1:17
FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE FANS OF HALLMARK’S WHEN CALLS THE HEART TELEVISION SERIES, the characters of the show seem like family. Yes, they’re fictional characters from the fictional town of Hope Valley, but we can learn some valuable lessons from them — at Christmas and throughout the year.
For example, from the beloved characters of Lee and Rosemary Coulter…Lee Coulter wanted to do something special for his wife, Rosemary, for their first Christmas as husband and wife. Knowing of her love for baubles, he bought her a unique brooch for her Christmas gift — one he thought would tickle her fancy.
Lee also knew of her penchant for snooping, so he hid the gift in a place she’d never look. But ever-vigilant Rosemary spied it out anyway — and let’s just say she wasn’t excited about her new accessory. “Horrified” might be a better word.
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