“Blessed are the poor in spirit for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 Certainly, anyone who has faith in God as I know Him to be would prefer a heavenly kingdom over the kingdom of man. And yet I often defer to humanity’s kingdom because, even though this is ridiculous to say,…
Author: Monica
Monica is a Bible teacher, freelance author, and editor who loves Jesus and her family. She is humbled to soak up the love and grace of God each day and seeks to share it with others.
Fathers in Film
In honor of Father’s Day, I’ll continue my efforts at highlighting fabulous, funny, and timeless movies which portray father figures we can learn from or, in many cases, not learn from. This list is in no particular order except I’ve saved the best for last. Jack Byrnes: Meet the Parents Robert DeNiro’s character embodies the…
Love in the Face of Hate
I read with shock the horror of Wednesday in Charleston. And I thought, “Oh no. Not again. Not again.” I read a list of names and prayed for each one, and each family, and each face I’d never seen. In utter shock, I couldn’t even cry. And then there was today. I saw three little…
The Heart of Art
I was the little girl who got a bloody nose during her first dance recital, slipping in her tap shoes. My daughters, who are much more talented than I was, recently participated in their annual dance recital, an end to which they’ve worked the entire year. The taps, the kicks, the twirls…our house is full…
God Is For You
After church one Sunday, my husband and I were talking about the lyrics to one of the worship songs. It was a song that struck us both for different reasons, but still resonated in our hearts because of the same line: God is for me. God is not against me. He is not indifferent to…
What Every New Mother Needs
Yes. I have figured it out. The “thing” that all new mothers really need (besides sleep). A box. An empty box. It’s that simple. It can be a cute box if you like, or even a drawer, but it should start empty. While I have baby boxes for baby firsts—teeth and curls and pacis and…
When I Get an “F” in “Being a Good Christian”
At my children’s elementary school, several younger grades are transitioning to a grade system that is not based on numbers that relate to A+ all the way to F. Instead, each student is tested on specific skill sets and it is determined if s/he has mastered (M) the skill or is progressing (P) with the…
A River Runs Through It
I’m no stranger to floods. I’ve watched a dumpster float along a downtown street in San Antonio, Texas. I’ve seen cars stuck in flooded intersections. I’ve had to navigate my way out of my old neighborhood by taking the literal high roads because flood waters had washed away the actual low road—my usual route out….
My New Bottle of Perfume
On Mother’s Day, my family gave me a new bottle of my most favorite perfume. I’d been out for a month, and to my surprise, I’d missed it. Never having been much of a perfume girl, it wasn’t until I was in my thirties that I really claimed a “scent.” It came when I moved…
The Best Love Story
Last year, we celebrated my parents’ marriage with a renewal ceremony. They wrote and spoke new vows to each other, reinforcing the commitment they made years ago. They spoke in the presence of their children and grandchildren. It was a moment of hope. Love does that. It brings hope to the driest, darkest, hardest parts…
Movie Mothers
I love a good movie. So as Mother’s Day approaches, here’s my homage to some classic film mothers and things we can learn (or not learn) from them. Pride and Prejudice (The BBC version with Jennifer Ehle!): Mrs. Bennett God bless her, Mrs. Bennett stresses herself out for her own amusement. She complains and nags…
Those Annoying Mattress Warnings
My new mattress set came with a “please note” in the paper brochure: At first, your new sleep set may feel firm in contrast to what you have been using, but you should not be concerned. Within a short period of time, you will become adjusted to the feel of a properly supportive sleep set….
A Picture of What 