by Marie | Sep 6, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
One night a father decided that his daughter was old enough to go to the barn and feed the horses on her own. But she was afraid. So the father took his daughter out to the front porch of the house and lit a lantern, held it up, and asked her how far she could see by the lantern’s light. She said that she could see halfway down the path to the barn. “Good!” her father responded. “Now carry this lantern halfway down the path.” The young girl did as she was told and when she reached her destination, her father called out to her, “Now how far can you see by the lantern’s light?” His daughter responded that she could see all the way to the gate. “Great!” her father responded. “Now walk to the gate.” Once again the girl did as she was told and when she reached the gate, her father asked, “Now how far can you see?” She responded that she could see the barn. “Wonderful!” replied her father. “Now walk to the barn and open the door.” The girl did just as her father told her and finally she shouted back that she was at the barn and could see the horses. “Excellent!” her father called. “Now feed the horses.” And he stepped back into the house. God
;
by Marie | Sep 5, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Why is God-with-us such a hard concept to embrace? I would say it is strength that keeps God at a distance from us. And when that strength is taken, removed, or shaken, then we beg for God to be God-with-us. Until then, however, we keep Him at a safe distance because we simply don’t want to be interrupted, questioned, or asked much of in our daily living. When the hard hits, we want Jesus to be right there But once things ease up a bit, we say, “Thank You Jesus. I’ve got it from here.” The sovereignty of God in suffering is kindness to keep us utterly dependent in a way our strength resists. Suffering often comes to the strong and is met with bitter anger. It isn’t the suffering that causes the anger so much as the taking of strength. Honestly, in the hardest of my cancer treatment, I was not crying out for the suffering to stop, but more for the strength to return. If I’m totally honest, that is my prayer right now – not for fewer days of suffering but for more days of strength. We love strength, we live for it, and when it is gone, we question the goodness of God. But as I have seen in my own story, the taking of strength
;
by Marie | Sep 4, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
I was undone one day last week by an article that indicated my life expectancy. The article itself was sent in love, but all my simple mind could see was the statistical data for how long I would live. Up until that point, Jason and I had been broken and crying, but so full of peace. That evening I would not sleep, I was sick, and I continually added the number listed to each of my children, and I lost my peace. Grace showed up the next day in a big, big way. When I woke up, I was in bad shape. I asked my neighbor if she could take my son, Lake, for the day, and then a friend called to see if she could bring me dinner. I asked her if she was willing to prepare it at my house and watch Story Jane. She said yes and came right over. I then called a woman I knew who had walked the road I was on. She came at 1 pm to take me for a walk. She offered joy in the midst of my pain, and hope for a beautiful story all my own. I felt my peace being restored throughout that time. I came home exhausted and asked my dear I’m cooking-you-dinner-friend if she minded if I
;
by Marie | Sep 3, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
I can confidently say that I don’t live with a long list of things I want to do, see or complete before I’m done in this place. I carried a dream for years of having a farm. I could picture it, the life of routine created by the land and its rhythms. But beyond that I’ve never longed for having a list and checking things off. I’m happy with my old cars, my simple wardrobe, my lack of fancy things and vacations. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a good concert, but I also love an organic dance party in my kitchen. I love great food, but I also love a hot dog over the fire pit in my backyard. I love a hike in the mountains, but I also love a walk around the block with my people. Last week, when I heard I may have another long road to travel on this journey, I turned to Jason and cried. I told him how day after day this place is losing its grip on me. Driving down the street this place sometimes feels so depraved, so wanting my money without a care for my heart. Billboards blare at me about what to buy, what to think, how to vote. But the tie that binds me here is relationships.
;
by Marie | Sep 2, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
So many people couldn’t understand this. “But how can you forgive them?” “Why would you forgive them?” “How can you even return to this country that took your husband’s life?” Forgiveness seemed to be a very foreign concept to them. They were genuinely astonished and confused. Stephen’s death had a profound impact on these people—and our family’s display of forgiveness is still talked about to this day. We were surprised to discover that there was a rumor circulating that Stephen had recited the Muslim testimony of faith to become a Muslim just before he was shot. My first reaction was disdain, but then I realized that this was how many of Stephen’s dearest Muslim friends were coping with his death. They wanted to think that Stephen had accepted what they believed to be the truth before he died. They could not bear the thought of Stephen going to hell. I was deeply touched. And on many occasions I took the opportunity to set the story straight and explain that to follow Jesus Christ—the only way to God—meant that Stephen never had a doubt that to be absent from the body was to be present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8). Preparing to leave after our two-week visit was surreal. It didn’t feel right that we were only visiting—it still felt
;
