As we move into winter and the days become shorter, I like to light candles. I light one on the kitchen counter on school mornings to cheer our day. I light one at dinner as we gather together as a family to reflect on our day. And, of course, I light one whenever I simply feel like it!
{Home is the starting place for lived-out-love, a place where the needs of the whole person are cared for. This post explores spiritual care.}
Jesus is our Shepherd, and we are his sheep. Thinking of our relationships this way sets the tone for spiritual care and relationships within our home. Seeing ourselves as “fellow sheep” would be helpful for any people living together under the same roof! Knowing Jesus as the Shepherd puts our relationships into perspective. When we have a growing relationship with Jesus and trust him to work in others’ lives, it is humbling, hope-giving, and freeing for our relationships with one another.
Happy Thanksgiving week, friends! Trusting God opens my eyes to see all the gifts He gives us. I pray the words in this post move you one step closer to trust and gratitude. These thoughts come right out of my journals, from my heart to yours!
Writing these posts has been a gift from God these past months. Ideas and words come to me, and I write them down before I lose them. An analogy comes to me, maybe as I weed or notice the grass growing out-of-control. This has been a joy for me! And then it’s my responsibility to respond, with the attention and work to put it into words. This joy has been somewhat of a surprise to me! 
There are many things that vie for our attention during the Christmas season! Each year, we like to create space for our family to remember who we are really celebrating. This year, we’re going to use these devotions I wrote a few years ago. I pray they encourage your hearts to draw near to Jesus this season!
{Home is the starting place for lived-out-love, a place where the needs of the whole person are cared for. This post explores the relational care we extend to others beyond our household.}
Each of our homes has a front door. I imagine each person in our household coming and going, and other people being welcomed in. My husband Richard engages with many people at the university, the girls are a helpful and friendly part of their school community, and I run errands or spend my morning at MOPS as a mentor mom. Neighbor kids come play and a small group Bible study meets in our home.
Live a Life of Love 