Even in the middle of a crowd, you can find yourself incredibly lonely--sad and sappy and zapped. I found myself there this afternoon--right in the middle of a family Thanksgiving. Several tough moments collided recently--some I created, some I didn't. Some things I can put my finger on; some I can't. What I have come …
When the world tells me I’m not enough, I bow up a bit and commit to proving them wrong. I hide the mark and push through more determined than ever. When work throws a mean curve and I can’t avoid the blow, I double down on hours and work harder to rise up to the …
The story of Mary and Martha and Lazarus resonates with me. The many messages of that story draw me back to it over and over again: Jesus loves us deeply and intimately. Jesus calls me to rest with Him especially when I have too much to do. He joins me in my heartbreak. He weeps …
The Fierce Father “Shhhh. You’re having a nightmare,” the voice whispered in the darkness. “Wake up. Please, wake up,” my mother’s voice urged. The pounding of my heart rocked my body. My mother gathered me into her arms as she tried to croon me back to reality, but my nightmare had started there—in real life-- …
In the last couple of week's I've been blessed to be served communion by my youngest son, to see my daughter-in-law lead the praise team, and to hear my oldest son play a beautiful guitar lead during worship. All three experiences brought me to tears. I couldn't help but feel that my response only just …
For a while now (bit of an understatement), I have been begging God for an answer to a very specific prayer, a prayer for relief, for restoration, for redemption of loss and pain, for victory over the enemy. Today, I woke myself crying over this ongoing plea. Before the sun was fully up, on a …
Late one night, my sister Kathy called to chat. She shared her day and talked about the loves of her life—her four kids. She asked about my day. We caught up on her kids and mine. Then, just as the call was about to end, she said, “I called for a reason—to let you know …
I woke up this morning with a few heavy issues on my mind. I found myself thinking how few people know about those heavy issues, how some of those heart-hurts I have shared only with God. That is is not a bad thing at all. I'm thankful my Father controls the universe and yet cares …
Today, Good Friday, around noon, we were having lunch, enjoying the day off work and school. The sun shined brightly, and children laughed across the street in the park. For a moment, standing in the sunshine as Zydeco music played, I closed my eyes and imagined the darkest day. Not quite 2000 years ago, in …
Tonight, I can’t let go of the haunting sound of a bleating lamb. It started this morning as I listened to one of my favorite pastors, Chip Ingram, in his Living on the Edge Podcast. He shared the story that Nathan used to bring David to repentance, the story of a beloved lamb stolen and …
karenleannmurphy.com 