​As summer comes to a close, I am enjoying spending these days in the States where it is a bit warmer than I am used to in England. I get to wear my flip-flops and sandals just a little longer over here in the warmer weather. The only problem with wearing sandals is that my feet tend to not stay clean very long.

​On a recent trip to the beach, I was majorly bothered by the sand that finds its way into EVERYTHING including inside my sandals and all over my feet. It took much effort to clean all that sand and dirt off my feet at the bathhouse near the beach. But as soon as I put my foot down, you guessed it, more dirt and sand. I am easily bothered by such a little thing as the sand on my feet. Can you imagine how dirty peoples’ feet would have been in Bible days? Remember it was dusty and sandy in certain parts of Israel. And the people walked pretty much everywhere they went in their sandals. 

My daughter Emersyn is currently finishing up her swimming lessons for the summer. It’s been very rewarding to see her progress as both her skill and confidence have grown. As I’ve had a front-row seat to her frustrations and successes throughout this process, it’s reinforced to me a part of her personality that I can relate to.

In one of her early lessons, her teacher remarked to me that our greatest hurdle in helping Emersyn become a better swimmer would be encouraging her to give up the illusion of control.

​As her mom, I’ve seen this struggle manifest itself in many ways — her reluctance to go down the slide at the playground, hesitation in her interactions with our new puppy, unwillingness to jump from a higher step or platform unless I am holding her hand. ​

Loss. Sorrow. Grief. Whether they happen to us directly or to those we love, they are frequent and regular parts of our existence in a sin-cursed world. In the last month alone, my husband and I have experienced a family member who has suffered a miscarriage, the sudden death of a beloved and faithful fellow church member, and a dear college friend of mine who abruptly lost his job and means to support his family. 
 
Although we cannot escape grief in this life, as believers we have the blessed consolation of experiencing it very differently from those who live without God. We still grieve, but we do so with hope (1 Thess. 4:13-18). Even in the midst of deep pain, we have hope that God makes no mistakes, that He always keeps His promises, that He loves us and walks with us, and that one day all will be made right. He is our hope and the hope with which we can comfort others. ​

We are using the book Aging With Grace
​by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

How would you like to learn how to age with grace with us this summer, friend? I have done this study, and let me tell you, it is not just for older women! We are all aging, even if you're 18 years old, you're aging, and we all want to do it with grace, right? Join me here or eight weeks this summer on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 est beginning June 7 through July 26.

I remember when I was a little girl, my parents would tell my sisters and me to wait. Maybe we were waiting for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive for a visit, or we had to wait for our friends to arrive at church or for dinner to be ready. Waiting for the little ones is hard!

Maybe you have said to your little ones before, “Just stand still,” while you were waiting in line at Target. Maybe you have been sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office, and you have to remind yourself to stop bouncing your leg up and down and just sit still while you wait. Maybe in church, you have looked down the pew at your kids and given them the “Be Still” stare during Sunday’s sermon.

​Whether we like it or not, waiting is part of life. It seems like we are always waiting for something in life. ​

​We are using the book Aging With Grace
​by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

How would you like to learn how to age with grace with us this summer, friend? I have done this study, and let me tell you, it is not just for older women! We are all aging, even if you're 18 years old, you're aging, and we all want to do it with grace, right? Join me here or eight weeks this summer on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 est beginning June 7 through July 26.

We are using the book Aging With Grace
​by Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt.

How would you like to learn how to age with grace with us this summer, friend? I have done this study, and let me tell you, it is not just for older women! We are all aging, even if you're 18 years old, you're aging, and we all want to do it with grace, right? Join me here or eight weeks this summer on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 est beginning June 7 through July 26.