For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

Have you ever thought you were on a path, had a plan and direction, only to discover God had a totally different direction and new plan in mind? I know, silly question.

Direction changes in life are natural. Sometimes they are planned, happy, changes, while other times direction change, not of our own making, can be stressful and make us fearful of the future.

I think I’m more accustom to direction change than most. I’ve moved across the country three times...

I am unloved, unwanted and insignificant.

How many of us have felt this way at least once in our lives? If we’re honest, each and every one of us.

I hear these sentiments mostly from unmarried men and women of all ages. There’s something about the need to belong to and feel wanted by another person of significance that can either make us or break us. Someone to fall asleep with and wake up to. Someone who knows us inside and out. Someone to share in the ups and downs of life.

Having been single for most of my adult years, I knew these feelings well. Thankfully, they would come and go, but when they came, something needed to be done. With all of the people in my world who cared for me, why should I let the desire for one more, the one, ruin my otherwise peaceful, content world? I knew I cou...

They were struggling so. Two men about 50 and 20 years old respectively were trying to push a broken down van while a girl about the age of 12 tried to steer on the snow and ice covered road. I came upon them on my way to work. I looked to see if anyone was stopping to help, someone with a truck that could push the vehicle to safety, or a couple of other men to help manually push. No such luck.

The girl saw me looking her way and began waving in an effort to stop me for help. There’s no way I could, in good conscience, keep driving in a warm car to a warm office. At the time, it was negative 7 with a wind chill of negative 20 degrees! Seeing the slow progress they were making, they could very well freeze to death!

How can I help, I asked, as I walked over to the van...

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

I love Christmas! Every year I look forward to Christmas music, Christmas decorations, Christmas goodies, and yes, like everyone else, Christmas presents. Both giving and receiving.

For many, the giving of gifts, becomes more of a stressful event than a joyful experience. Due to a lack of financial resources, we find ourselves dreading more than looking forward to this magical season. Single parents in particular, especially if the other parent is unavailable, seem to suffer the most.

For much of my son’s young life, Christmas was difficult on me...

Dear friends,

I woke up this morning with a heart over flowing; so thankful for the hearts God allows me to care for. It’s a humbling experience to know, the God of all creation, somehow trusts me with a heart that may be hurting or confused.

I have no idea what I did to deserve such trust, but I want, with all of me, to bring comfort to those He sends my way and honor to Him as the One who trusts in me to follow His lead.

How about you? Has God placed a hurting heart in front of you? Are you struggling with how to respond?