A Life of Gratitude

Each year it seems I am captivated by a different part of the Christmas story. This year, I can't stop thinking about the shepherds. Luke 2 says they were just hanging out in the dark fields with the sheep, minding their own business, when an angel appeared. It makes sense that the angel's first words were, "Do not be afraid." It must have been terrifying. Then, a host of angels appeared and filled the darkness up with light and praise. I wonder if the shepherds thought it had been a dream or if they stood there dumbfounded for a few minutes. The Bible says they hurried off to find the baby they had been told about. Can you imagine how incredible it would have been to see the baby an angel had just described? I'm sure they had no problem believing the baby was the Messiah. They probably bowed in adoration, wondering why the angels chose to tell them, simple shepherds. Once they had worshipped the Christ child, " they spread the word concerning what had been t

This evening we were on the way home from a family night out, driving on old country roads, when I heard a still small voice that said, "Watch out for the deer." I looked over at Bryan and said, "Watch out for the deer. I'm not sure why but I just know I need to tell you that." I guess he took me seriously because he put both hands on the steering wheel and I felt him reduce the speed. About two minutes later, I noticed a deer across the street and as quickly as I could scream, "Ahhh, there's a deer!" It ran straight toward our van. Bryan slammed on breaks but we collided with it. It was loud, jarring, and happened so fast. The buck was thrown to right of the road. We couldn't stop to see what happened to the deer because there were so many cars behind us, but with the impact I felt, I'm guessing it didn't make it.  A couple minutes later I realized I had been warned that we were about to hit a deer. How amazing is that!?! Because I hea

Earlier this week my oldest son and I listened as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case that has opened the door to the possibility of overturning or altering the landmark decision made in 1973 by with Roe v Wade. Its no surprise that this history-making case has caused emotions to run high on both sides of the abortion issue and elicit all types of opinions. However, I never get used to how extreme and irrational the fight for abortion truly is. Saying men have absolutely no right to an opinion about abortion is like personally building a house and then not being allowed to have a voice in whether the house is lived in or demolished. Since the beginning of time it has taken both a man and a woman to create a baby. Women cannot get pregnant on their own. This absurd pro-abortion arugement has made it easy and acceptable for men to walk out on their responsibilities. If we want men to step up when a pregnancy is wanted, we cannot also say they have no right to an opinion wh