I used to think that having secure and loving relationships meant putting those relationships squarely in the center of my life. Like many women, I poured myself into caring for my people and managing our busy lives. I set out to be kind enough and patient enough, wise enough and funny enough, smart enough and…
No matter how agreeable we are, people-pleasing only leads to pitfalls and roadblocks in relationships. Here’s how to avoid the hazards of people-pleasing and find the true love you’re looking for.
When my dog Scout and I spotted each other at the local animal shelter, it was love at first sight. He was a four-month-old puppy with soulful eyes and a handsome red coat. I was a mom who had just dropped off my youngest son at college. Scout needed a home. I needed a boy…
Following all the rules might make us feel safe. It might even make us feel more spiritual. But rules won’t keep us connected to God. In fact, too much focus on following all the rules may send us drifting away from Him. I once believed God loved me but secretly held on to the belief…
I confess that I’m somewhat of a self-improvement junkie. New ideas for how to live “better” always seem to capture my attention. So when I became a Christian, that kind of thinking came with me. I figured I had discovered the ultimate self-improvement guide in the Bible. At the same time, I’ve always rather liked…
I learned the power of simple hospitality the summer I met Shirley Caldwell in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. After just one year of marriage, my husband and I left behind all that was familiar to me when we packed up our car and drove more than 3,000 miles from Portland, Oregon to start our new life…
