My mother enjoys jigsaw puzzles. She starts with the edges and works inward — slowly bringing order to the chaos of small pieces. The process is challenging but satisfying. One puzzle...

When I dig a seashell out of the sand, I first turn it one way and then the other to see its condition. Does it have chips or cracks, or is...

I walked out of the nursing home feeling like a failure. I had gone to visit a friend and to tell him about the good news of Jesus. Yet, as usual,...

Four-year-old James climbed into his car seat, and we drove off. “My eyes are closing down,” he announced sleepily. No wonder! He had just spent a long day playing on the...

In March 2003 I had a serious stroke. It was an especially difficult time because I am left-handed and was paralyzed on my left side for quite a while. I don’t...

My husband and I hiked down to the lake, which lay still in the early morning sunshine. Its surface perfectly reflected the world above — hills of dark green fir and...

I have the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom to my six kids. This allows me to spend time with them during the day, greet them after school, teach them, and...

For 40 years I struggled with a number of issues — from low self-esteem to drug and alcohol abuse — until one day law enforcement came to my door with a...

Four years ago I moved to a newly developed subdivision. In front of each house was a maple tree. I noticed that the tree in front of my house was infested...

Several years ago, my husband and I felt content with our lives. We had five young children, a beautiful home, and were both working at jobs we loved. We thanked God...