I check my schedule when I get to the office and notice that a patient was accidentally booked in two appointment slots. My schedule is typically full, so I notify the front office so they can open that spot in case someone calls that day needing to be seen. Later that morning I realize who filled this opening and I begin to fret inside. What possibly could I do or say to help this patient? His daughter was killed just a few weeks prior by a serial killer, and the memorial service happened to be four years to the day after his wife’s memorial service . . .
Have you ever wanted something so bad that it hurts? Your thoughts are consumed with dreams, plans, or prayers to make it happen . . . but you have no control over the outcome. So how do you handle the heartbreak when your hopes are shattered instead of fulfilled?
A few years ago, I wrote an article titled “Dealing with Disappointment” about my struggle with infertility. Even after God gave us Connor through in-vitro fertilization, my longings continued for a second child. Bob and I pushed forward through many more rounds of fertility treatments, and I had a second pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage . . . but we never had another child. I was devasated.
But here I am years later, and my heart is in a different place. One moment radically changed my interpretation of these events (and my entire relationship with God), so here's the rest of the story . . .
I couldn’t stand the feel of him
Even the smell of him
Both would linger on my skin
So I would shower after every encounter and crawl back inside myself to emotionally recover…
From my husband.
Unbeknownst to me, our marriage contract was the catalyst for me unconsciously turning JT into the scapegoat for all of the dark and perverted experiences of sex/intimacy I was exposed to in my childhood, and chose to expose myself to . . .
It is hard to find the words to describe the true essence and character of my father Brian Connor. He touched so many people in his lifetime with Christ’s love, and this was his greatest joy. His memory will live on and his legacy will resonate through the lives of many people.
Brian used to call me his angel and Amy his princess. Ever since we were children, he told us we could be anything we set our hearts on. He told us to shoot for the stars and never settle for less than the best. He was our biggest fan in our successes and our biggest advocate when we faced challenges along the way. I knew I was....
I could barely contain my excitement as I headed to a conference with some of my girlfriends. I was about to experience two of my favorite things - extended girl God time. As a mother and a career woman, undistracted time with friends and God were rare and precious gifts. For weeks I anticipated opening these gifts, knowing the process of driving to the conference would be just as enjoyable as the destination itself. In the past we would laugh and cut up in the car, or share our secrets and struggles (often shedding tears in the process), and other times we would worship together or pray for each other. Nothing brings me to life more than engaging in authentic relationship with others, where both people’s hearts are giving and receiving. Something beautiful, even spiritual, happens in this exchange . . .
