never forgotten
One day, a taxi dropped world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma off at New York City’s Peninsula Hotel. But as the cab drove off, Yo-Yo realized he had left his cello in its backseat. It was worth 2.5 million dollars! The hotel staff jumped to action. As one reporter put it, they “put on their own virtuoso performance, contacting officials all over…
free
There are different kinds of free. Some things are free because they’re cheap, like the plastic toy in a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Some things are free because they’re part of a “buy-one-get-one-free” offer. And some things are free because they’re priceless—you literally can’t put a price on them without cheapening them.
Imagine asking a woman to marry you, and she…
our Bible man
As of Sunday, Nate, 2, has a new favorite possession . . . a Bible. Following Kids church, he ran to me to show off his new find. Turns out, the Bible belonged to someone else, but after discovering who and knowing this person would not be back to church, Nate was given permission to take it home! He was…
mothers and fathers
Not long ago, I was drawn into a spirited discussion about the parenting concerns of mothers and fathers: Mothers tend to worry about their child’s safety; fathers focus on their child’s success. A mother is concerned that her child be loved, while fathers push their children hard in a world where failure is easy and success is difficult.
The Thessalonian…
the angry voice
The other day I was fixing supper and my youngest came into the kitchen to tell me something that her big sister had done to her. She came in explaining in her poor-pitiful-me voice that her big sister was using my "angry voice" and was acting like she was her momma.
What? My children, my little precious bundles of joy recognize that…
clouded vision
Seven years ago, she stayed after Bible study to talk about her struggles as a mom. With a child nearing preadolescence, she was torn between making decisions that would make her daughter feel different than her peers and wanting the young girl to “fit in” to avoid the social ostracism of her own teen years. Today her daughter “fits in”…
beyond my reach
My husband and I are cautious when it comes to our kids. We diligently try to find the balance between having appropriate boundaries without being outright control freaks. Friends, media, and social events have become powerful means of helping our kids learn discernment and character. I noted, however, that my prayers for our 6th grader increased when she went away…
mediator
As a mom, I frequently have the opportunity to serve in high-risk negotiations in the prevention of “hostile takeovers.” Nearly 3 years apart, my children are as different as night and day. Though things can change at any given moment, they often play very well together. But when they disagree, it usually takes a third party for them to see…
say "L" for love
Most moms scold their kids for sticking their tongues out, but not me. I encouraged my son to do this when I was teaching him how to pronounce the letter “L.” Like many toddlers, every time he tried to make the “L” sound, it came out sounding like a “W.” Although my heart melted every time he said, “I wuv…
the spirit, the kingdom
One of the many juggling acts parents perform is deciding when to give information to their children. If I know a trip or a family fun time is on the horizon, I want to tell our boys early enough so they can enjoy the anticipation. If I tell them too soon, however, their agony of waiting (and my agony caused…
restrained
Since my nephew’s birthday is 11 days before mine, we often celebrate together. This year we decided to do something different, so the extended family— grandparents included—went to eat pizza and play laser tag. At one point, I inadvertently fired my laser gun at one of my own team members, thinking he was a spy. Somehow missing the point that…
renewed vow
My church started the year by having us renew the vows we've made—at one time or another—to the Lord our God. It was a most appropriate occasion for me, for precisely two weeks earlier I had thought through God’s love for me and concluded I was undeniably "fearfully and wonderfully" loved.
I grew up under the doting attention of a loving…
depression and healing
The first time I laid my eyes on my daughter Sophie, I was stunned. So sublime was her beauty that I couldn't believe that she was mine. Also stunned, but for a completely different reason, was my wife Jane. We had planned for three children, and Sophie being the third, this meant that she would never have a son.
Boys…
when to forget
After our first son was born, my wife Miska and I entered a rough stretch in our marriage. We had been extremely close, but now another little person interrupted all that. We loved Wyatt very much, but our relational dynamic had changed forever. Selfishly, I kept insisting that our marriage get back to the way it was before the upheaval.…
