The Glad and Sad of Mother’s Day

Before I got out of bed this past Thursday, I smiled toward heaven and prayed, “Good morning, Lord. I look forward to living the day! I have never lived May 9 before!” Then I stepped out of bed onto a wad of gum that adhered to the ball of my foot with super-glue grip. Only […]

What a dog taught me about life.

Fourteen years ago… our daughter in Georgia was in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend in Chicago. One weekend, when he was visiting, they toted a tiny Jack Russell puppy to our home in a cardboard box and announced they were going to share a dog together. Our daughter was to be the main caretaker […]

My husband and I turned 25 this week.

I am in a second marriage. My husband and I just celebrated 25 years! What a milestone! We have been congratulated by family and friends and marked the occasion by taking our first cruise. The most meaningful reason for our grand celebration, however, was birthed out of the public eye and originated deep in my […]

Celebrating Live ABOVE the Chaos

This is my 200th post! That means I have posted every week for nearly four years. Thanks to each of you who have been subscribing since the beginning and to those of you who have since joined in. I pray regularly that my posts bless my readers. I posted a very significant post at the […]

Remembering Dan: Sibling grief hurts too.

I am writing this on Friday, April 20. In a few hours, I will be headed to a church event. On the way, I am stopping by Alpine Bakery to celebrate the memory of my dear brother, Dan. It’s his birthday today. He would have turned 55. I will be consuming a coconut cream cupcake […]

My First Easter as a Free Man

My amazing wife has faithfully written this weekly blog for nearly four years. During that time only one other person has done a guest post. So when she asked me to write this piece I was humbled and honored, as well as intimidated. I am alive today only because of my wife and I dedicate […]

Good-bye, Billy Graham

Dear Billy Graham, I just finished watching your funeral service televised from Charlotte, NC. I was grateful to be home this particular Friday after having to work outside the home for a string of Fridays so far this year. I stopped and gave you the honor you are due. There haven’t been many men like […]

How to Close a Year and Start a New One

What has your year been like? Rough? Filled with blessing? Some of both? Whatever 2017 has been like, the calendar turns tonight and tomorrow a new year begins. Some of you already know 2018 will be rough. You are smack dab in the middle of something difficult. Chemo. Divorce. Unemployment. So why bother paying attention […]

Sit Around the Table with Me

Each year I make sure we linger long around the Thanksgiving table by having every person share what they are thankful for. Usually it’s the list of five things that each family member writes on their paper hand (as shown in the next photo), but people can share whatever they wish, and the list can […]

In case you missed last Sunday’s post…

Hello Friends, We’ve recently updated the Email Newsletter software running on OaksMinistries.com. As a result of the transition, this past Sunday’s post notification didn’t get sent out. Please use the following link to go to last Sunday’s post: My brother’s funeral – 31 years ago today Thank you again for subscribing to my blog. ~Laurie