I bit my tongue and responded very little as I listened to my family member’s perspective, realizing we had very different views on some of the things happening in our current culture. But the next day I kept replaying in my mind the previous night’s phone conversation. “How could he take that position on these… Read More Sandy’s Story: Facing Differing Political Views with Family
Our family dynamics changed when my sister-in-law entered the picture. My family is loving, kind, grace-giving, supportive, and rarely has conflict. But my sister-in-law is the opposite; it’s hard to handle her unprovoked harshness, disrespect, rudeness, cutting and crass spirit. Most of our family gatherings are actually pleasant and fun (mainly because we are a… Read More Mary’s Story: Dealing with a Challenging Sister-in-Law
When I was eighteen and had just finished my second year of college, I assumed the summer would be filled with normal summer activities. I was a rebellious teen and very headstrong. I didn’t like it at the university I had been attending; it was in the middle of a cornfield, and boring for someone who… Read More Ruthanne’s Story: Waiting for Reconciliation
It was 2:00 a.m. and I was being woken up yet again. This time it wasn’t my 18-month-old. My 5-year-old needed to use the bathroom. I helped him wash his hands and tucked him back into his bed. 30 minutes later I heard him laughing and talking to himself loudly in his room. I heard… Read More Adrienne’s Story: Contentment in Parenting
Recently, all of my five children, their spouses, and my 12 grandchildren were going to celebrate their dad’s 80th birthday on a vacation in Colorado. A huge house was available for all of them to stay the week and be under the same roof with food, fun, and fellowship. I had been divorced from their… Read More Diane’s Story: Divorce and Missing Out