J.O.Y.
I don’t know how widespread the idea was, but I used to hear people talk about J.O.Y. with the meaning: Jesus first, others second, and yourself last. It is excellent advice and a catchy way to remember it. The concept…
Tag joy
Homeschooling: From Burden to Joy
The summer of 1994 was a turning point in our family’s life. Ray and I had been married for 19 years. Ray was serving as a minister, as he had been for the past 16 years. We had a son…
A Time to Match
Christmas is a fun time for matching sweaters and matching PJs. I wonder what it is like for twins who wear matching outfits all the time. These little girls are the Sunbonnet Twins who illustrated The Sunbonnet Twins: A Story…
The Deep Down in Our Hearts Kind of Joy
Christians get blue, too, sometimes. This may be a blue day for you. From the life situations that some of you have shared with me, I feel confident that today is a blue day for some of you. It is…
Joy and Pain All Wrapped Up Together
For many women, the first time we experience joy and pain all wrapped up together is when we give birth to our first child. Jesus understands that. He said: Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her…
Joining in Everyone’s “Wow!”
Children are excited when they learn their first few words. They love to practice them over and over. Two of our youngest grandson’s favorite words these days are mower and broke. On a walk with his Notty and Little one…