Welcome and thanks for visiting AT THE CROSSROADS. Images of roads and paths (yes, I have a Pinterest Board for that!) fascinate me. They beckon me to come and follow. The concept of life as a journey (while cliche to some) makes a lot of sense.
In the CHRISTIAN LIVING category, I ponder the paths I have taken or will take as a woman who has many roles and seeks desperately to make wise choices. It is where my faith and life intersect. I hope that by sharing with authenticity and vulnerability, you see my heart and want to join me on this journey for grace and truth.
Through real-life stories of being a Jesus follower who is also a mom, wife, and friend, I share the lessons (difficult, messy ones!) I have learned from my life experience, relationships, and struggles and use truth from God’s Word to make sense of it all.
Build Healthy Relationships
1 Thessalonians 5:11b (The Message) tells us to “speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind.”
Sadly, it seems that women are better at competing with one another than they are cooperating with each other. I would rather be a WOMAN OF CONNECTION than a GIRL OF DIVISION, so I write a lot about building and maintaining strong and healthy relationships.
AT THE CROSSROADS seeks to build WOMEN OF CONNECTION who strive to do three things well:
- CHAMPION other women: “You go, girl!”
- COOPERATE with each other: “Sister, I am with you!”
- COMMUNICATE truth openly: “I hear you.”
Overcome Life’s Struggles
We all know that the journey of life has peaks and valleys…and the Christian life is no exception. Jesus reminds us in John 16:33 (NLT) that “…here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows…” so we should not be surprised or overwhelmed when we experience times of doubt, discouragement, and difficulty. However, that is not the end of the story because the rest of that verse gives us hope as Jesus promises: “But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Read these posts to discover God’s presence in dark times, find purpose in your pain, and learn how to overcome through faith, hope, and love.
Parent with Grace & Truth
On my journey of parenting that began over twenty-five years ago, I have learned that balance and perspective are the keys that help guide me as I walk this uncertain road of being a mom.
Balance is providing a steady, stabilizing, and consistent environment for my kids to grow and thrive. Perspective is the attitude of humility before God, my children, and others.
The best way I have learned how to do this is by walking alongside my children with GRACE and TRUTH. My honest confessions of my mistakes in parenting are combined with practical and biblical truth on how to offer:
- LOVE WITH DISCIPLINE
- RULES WITH CHOICES
- WORK WITH FUN
Celebrate Seasons & Holidays
While walking our faith journeys, we need to make time to celebrate the joys and blessings that God graciously gives us. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 ESV).
Sharing these times with others reminds us of God’s faithfulness and provision. I love to offer useful tips on how to make these celebrations meaningful and memorable.
Take the Gratitude Challenge and download your free printable to improve your attitude of gratitude.
You can also use my Advent devotional, Have Yourself a Mary Little Christmas (available in e-book and print form) as another way to provide you and your family helpful resources to prepare your heart, mind, and soul for the Christmas season.
