Anxiety is the most common mental illness in the United States. More than 19% of adults (ages 18+) and more than 31% of adolescents (ages 13–18) live with an anxiety disorder.[1] This means, dear sister, the odds that you have first-hand experience with this mental illness—either because you struggle with anxiety or because someone you love does—are extremely high. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Luke 2:22–40
A few years ago, I quit sending the Christmas card family photo. Why? Because trying to get my family to sit perfectly was torture. The whole endeavor, without fail, included tears, frustration, and the complete lack of ability to keep our eyes open. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 25:31–46
Have you ever wanted to crawl out of the confessional? I have, just a few weeks ago, when loving words of correction on the other side of the screen were interpreted as, “You idiot, don’t you know anything?” Caught off guard, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 22:34–40
I descended the aisle, genuflected before the tabernacle, and pivoted left. Placing a neatly folded bill into the wooden offering box secured to the wall, I assumed I’d light a blue votive and take my usual place before the statue of our Blessed Mother. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 21:33–43
Did I ever tell you about when I entered a contest to be on a reality TV show and won? They were looking for a mom desperate for a home, wardrobe, and life makeover. Entries included a written submission stating why you deserved the prize and a video of a day in your life with your children. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 20:1–16a
“But WHY? It’s not FAIR!”
You may think I’ve got a story for you about one of my kids, but nope. That was me—last week.
I had my heart set on something. Something that definitely didn’t happen. Something that I had prayed for—begged God for—and told myself would be good for me. [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 18:15–20
My daughter received an intriguing text from her boyfriend. It read, “I am so embarrassed. I have to leave work.” Apparently, his office shares one small bathroom, and when he failed to lift the seat, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 17:1–9
A few years ago, my family and I spent a month volunteering at a youth camp in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Week after week, groups of teens would come from all over the West Coast for activities, talks, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read Matthew 13:24–30
Fun fact: If you have seen the Walking with Purpose promo video, you have seen the inside of my home. What you cannot see are the English gardens this 1805 farmhouse rests on. As our real estate agent walked us through the grounds, [...]
Dig Deeper into Sunday’s Gospel: Read John 3:16–18
Have you ever been at the mall, DMV, or anywhere in public, scanned the scene, and thought, “Really, Lord, You love everyone? Even that guy?” Asking for a friend, of course.
It’s hard to wrap my head around the reality of God’s kind of love. [...]
