After the kids were tucked in, my husband and I wrapped their gifts, chuckling in hushed tones over their gift-giving gusto for us this year. “They wrapped half their bedrooms and put it under the tree,” I said, exaggerating slightly. “I think they used up two new rolls of scotch tape just today,” my husband observed. “They’ve pointed out ...
Our friends Jenny and Peter recently posted a collection of the sweetest photos announcing their pregnancy. Baby onesies and ultrasound pictures were pinned to a clothesline they held between them. What joy to see their smiling faces and to wish them congratulations on this good news! We make a big deal about baby announcements in our culture. ...
I wrapped my arms around my almost-three-year-old nephew's small body. His puffy blue coat made it hard to hold on, so I constricted my arms tighter. "Where we goin', Liza?" Noah asked. "We're going on a sleigh ride. You know, like in Jingle Bells?" I started to sing softly. "Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, oh what fun it is ...
He’s swiveling in my office chair at my desk next to me, and it makes a chirping sound as he rotates like a baby chick waiting to be fed. Even if he weren't in my peripheral view, I could feel his eyes boring into my temple. I type a few more words. He clears his throat. I hold up one finger to silence him before I lose my thought, the words of ...
If you were to ask me about my favorite time of year, in a heartbeat I would tell you it was fall. It’s true and I know it and I can tell you all the reasons why. But ask me to narrow it down, require me to be more precise and ask me my favorite time of day, and I would hesitate: sunrise or sunset? The opening or the closing? The anticipation of ...
In 2009 God called me to share my abortion story publicly online. When I first felt this call, this unwavering prodding in my spirit, I thought, “No way. I can’t do this. I cannot put this in words in public where my family will see it and other people will see it and . . . it’s just too vulnerable of a thing." I shared this prodding and my ...
We skipped church one Sunday morning. I suggested we go get donuts, something I’ve never said before. My husband looked shocked but quickly agreed with a smile. I appreciate his trust in me and how he goes along with my Spirit-led spontaneity. As the three of us blew into the tiny donut shop that smelled of sweet bread and warm caramel icing, I ...
Sisters, I’m going to admit something ugly here. This is a safe space, right? Lean in close so I don't have to speak these words above a whisper: I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. There, I said it. (Please don’t judge.) Since we’re being honest, can you relate to this feeling? It makes me feel like a bad person to harbor any ...
Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens might have been a few of Fraulein Maria's favorite things, and while we agree that bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens are pretty wonderful, here at (in)courage, getting to know the women behind the words still tops our list of favorites! So how about taking a deep breath, setting down your ...
I have a love/hate relationship with the holidays. I love the shimmering beauty and festive spirit of Christmas: the sparkling lights, the joy-filled carols, the alluring packages carefully arranged under a twinkling tree. What I don’t love so much is the heavy weight of expectation I place on myself to make the holidays bright and meaningful for ...
