March is National Disability Awareness Month. In honor of this event, bestselling author Laura Wifler (Risen Motherhood) will be hosting a special live reading of her new children’s book, Like Me, with a Q&A to follow. There will also be drawings for special prizes during the event. You and your little ones are invited to join Laura as she shares the fun and engaging story of a day in the life of a sibling and his disabled brother. Together we’ll learn about compassion, empathy, and the ... [keep reading]
How to Wait on God’s Promise of Growth
You know that saying “bloom where you’re planted?” I like it, but what about the times you feel like you’re just the dormant seed in a hole covered with dirt? Last year, just as I was about to start working on illustrating my next book, I went through a brief season of depression during which I was incapacitated to engage in daily life. Once the Lord brought me out of it and I began to work, He really spoke to me through the imagery of a garden, specifically the image of a seed. A seed ... [keep reading]
Why romance should still be on your reading list
Ah, romance. Those who aren’t interested in story may shrug and say, “I read only nonfiction. You know, serious books.” I always feel sad when I hear that. Because strength and forgiveness and vulnerability and learning about oneself and so many other good things can be found in the world of make believe. And kisses. We can’t forget kisses. Storytellers have an important role in shaping and changing culture. Lori Wick is such an author. She didn’t just write about ... [keep reading]
Are You Still Searching for Your Place in Life?
Some words that we use as a matter of course carry much more weight than we imagine. Place is such a word. In a purely geographical sense, a place is nothing more than a location that can be pinned on your phone’s GPS. In this case you might say, “This is where I am.” In a vocational sense, place can refer to a culture, a role, or a position. When you get a new job in a new company you might find yourself saying things like, “I fit in here,” or “This new opportunity is a good fit for ... [keep reading]
When you mess up, will God welcome you back?
This excerpt from Stories from the Storyteller by Jonathan Evans puts a modern spin on the parable of the prodigal son so that children can better understand that God's unconditional love for us doesn't follow what we typically think of as fair. And aren't we thankful that God doesn't give us what we deserve? Share this this fun story with your children today. *** The entire Evans family, all seven of them, along with Tyson, their trusty dog, were stuffed into their van. Today was a ... [keep reading]
Teach your child to love and understand children with disabilities
As a mother to a child with disabilities, I've experienced firsthand the questions other children have when it comes to disabilities. But I've found that often, children simply need a bit of help to see that a child with disabilities is actually a lot like them—maybe they love candy, birthday parties, or animals, and they want to have fun, have friends, or feel included. And when children recognize this, when they see that they have sameness with someone else, there's a foundation for a ... [keep reading]
How Can We Believe in Something That We Can’t See?
“But, Mommy, I can’t see Him!” I can’t tell you how many times my four-year-old daughter protested this point when we’d have conversations about God. She continued this protest as a five and six-year-old as well. Fair enough. The fact that we can’t physically see or touch God has often felt problematic for adults, too. Leave it to kids to honestly voice their valid questions and concerns as we try to introduce them to the Bible’s story and God himself. My daughter, who I imagine may one day ... [keep reading]
How to teach your child about diversity, compassion, and the fine art of friendship
It was a hot July afternoon, and we had just picked up a few of my children’s friends to take to the pool. My youngest daughter with intellectual disabilities was jabbering excitedly in the car, talking about water and goggles and pretzel bites (her favorite snack to get at the concession stand), but because of a speech delay, I was likely the only one who could understand what she was specifically talking about. As we pulled into the parking lot and piled out of the mini-van, my daughter ... [keep reading]
Experience the Blessing of Thanksgiving and Receiving
We need to compose our lives in such a way that we both give and receive, learning to do both with grace, seeing both as parts of a single pattern rather than as antithetical alternatives.Mary Catherine Bateson Pause for a moment, put down the grocery and to-do list, and raise your hand if you’re not quite ready to transition into the “spirit of the season.” It seems we are nudged by retailers, school schedules, and well-meaning fundraisers to be in the holiday mindset long before we feel ... [keep reading]
Follow this simple routine to help give you and your kids more peace in the morning time
Parenting our sassy and strong-willed kiddos is the most important and hardest thing we can do on this planet. As the happy little ones transition to school-aged kids, a morning routine becomes even more important. When we turn the focus away from the activity accolades, external appearances, and what the Jones’s kids are doing, it is life-giving for the next generation. This simple morning routine, which begins the night before, will bring peace to you and your kids. Set consistent timesHave ... [keep reading]
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