Heartbroken with grief, Mary Magdalene didn’t recognize the risen Lord that third day, mistaking Him for a gardener. (John 20:14–15) The apostles didn’t believe the women’s report at all. (Luke 24:9–11) Peter wondered, too—even after seeing the empty tomb. (Luke 24:12) Some disciples met Jesus on the road to Emmaus but were so oblivious it was Him, they proceeded to give the risen Christ a lengthy explanation about recent happenings in Jerusalem…then invited Him to dinner. (L

I’m reminded how absolutely shattered Jesus’ disciples would have been this morning. How baffling, bleak, hopeless, and disillusioning the prospects as they witnessed Jesus’ march into darkness—defeat and uncertainty gaping. I’m reminded of the gripping fear and flight. I’m reminded how some would be overcome with shame at turning away from Him. I’m reminded how Jesus had repeatedly reminded them of His glorious third day rise and demonstrated His miracle working power—includ

Welcome back to our reading of the Gospel of Matthew—the most comprehensive New Testament account of Jesus’ life and ministry, filled with powerful insight—not just for then, but for the days we’re living in now. I hope you’ll listen…but even more, read it for yourself. Talk to God about what you find. Ask Him to show you what it means for you, right now. ❤️‍🔥✨🙏🏽

Reposting this 2024 blog cuz the message is the same today. 💙💛💙 Please know I understand and appreciate the sweet sentiment behind World Down Syndrome Day. We want to celebrate people with Trisomy 21, raise awareness of the condition, normalize it, challenge misunderstandings, squash prejudice...Hurray! All good goals. Yet I hope and pray for something else, something more. Way, way beyond celebrating this precious child of mine with a random extra chromosome. An outlier m

I still remember this episode clearly and boy, I sure pray to avoid it next time. No fun at all. The pain is definitely in the resistance 😂. I pray Isaac takes it easy on himself…and us…next time. Me, too! 💖

Pleased as punch to have a few devotionals included in this pretty collection of 100 excerpts from Mornings with Jesus, all focused on looking at the bright side with gratitude, no matter what (see 1 Thess.5:16-18). Several of these reflections are drawn from long ago volumes, and it was nice to reread them…I need the reminder…daily! Get it here: https://guideposts.org/shop/product/rejoice-in-all-things/

✨ LIGHT & SALT IN A DARK WORLD Matthew 5:13-16 More important than ever…❤️‍🔥

Sometimes the most painful detours become the very gateways God uses for our deepest transformation and restoration. On March 11, I’ll be speaking at Oakhurst United Methodist Church about recognizing God’s hand in unexpected seasons—and how faith can transform suffering into strength and purpose. If you’ve walked through loss, confusion, injustice, disappointment, or dramatic life shifts…this conversation is for you. Men and women welcome. 🗓 Wednesday, March 11 | 10:30 AM �

I must confess I still do this stoplight scrolling, but a tinier fraction of the time than before. I remain so grateful for my fellow drivers' mercy, who usually still don't lean on the horn. Above all, I grateful for Christ’s mercy, and pray to understand rightly what it means in real life and how to better share it, which I’m learning is perhaps different than what I long thought. Lord, have mercy. 🙏🏽♥️ P.S. I'm still up to my eyeballs in my writing project, and still bea

Hello, Wonderfuls: I’ll be less visible here for a season as I focus on an intensive writing project that requires prayerful attention and quiet. I haven’t vanished. If you need to reach me privately, please feel free to do so. Thank you for understanding—and for the grace of space. Isabella 💖

I feel like I reflected on this verse not too long ago, but it bears repeating—particularly these days, when peace seems in short supply for so many. My ex-husband is an abstract expressionist artist, and at the height of his painting career, he created a work titled Artificial Peace. My mother, who was living with us at the time, often helped name his work. Though it sold long ago, I could still picture it and eventually tracked down the image to share. Even without hearing

My parents were extraordinary, brilliant, loving, and wise people—but they had some issues and were very self-consumed. This left me with an early void of healthy leadership that had real ramifications. At different times in my life, I have somewhat compulsively sought the counsel (or validation) of others—friends, mentors, bosses, sponsors, pastors. God says it’s wise to seek godly counsel and foolish to seek the counsel of scoffers, the proud, the wicked, the self-wise, or

My 19-year-old college freshman just went back to school after a luxurious, lingering month at home. There wasn’t much prep involved. With a little teamwork, the whirlwind of chaos that was his room was packed up and gone in a few short hours. When he first arrived a month ago, my mostly orderly small house was suddenly overrun with ginormous mounds of laundry and everything that had once fit neatly into a dorm room. His younger brother was thrilled to have him home—big-broth

My printer warns me about running out of ink for a long time. I delay changing the cartridge, partly because I want to get every last smidgen out of the expensive thing—and partly because I don’t want to interrupt my work. If I’m honest, I have mild resentment toward the printer for warning me so early, long before the ink actually runs out. My old printer used to fade gradually, which helped. Sometimes I didn’t notice until it was too late, and then I’d realize I didn’t have

I appreciate how blunt John is in this verse—and how swiftly grace rushes in when we’re willing to stop fooling ourselves. There is no condemnation in the light—only truth, cleansing, and restored fellowship.💖

✨Debriefing Christmas✨ This morning, while the house was still quiet, I sat in the darkness of my living room, gently illuminated by the silent glow of my Christmas decorations, opened gifts still scattered across the floor and coffee table. It was a beautiful day; the boys make it more so, especially Isaac, who’s so grateful and delighted, opening each gift as if it was exactly what he wanted. I love Christmas. And in recent years, I’ve embraced the long call to retreat into

🎄 Merry, Merry Christmas! 🎄 Thank you for hanging with me through this tumultuous and deeply spiritually fruitful season. I’m truly grateful for you—for your presence, your prayerful engagement, and your openness to the work God is doing in our hearts. Before I take a prayerful pause  as we move into the New Year, I wanted to share the final posts from this past week — reflections rooted in Christ’s peace, presence, and surprising grace. You can always find these and more a

A friend reached out recently, heartbroken at the loss of a beloved dog after losing another only a few months earlier. I asked him how he was doing. He said, “Flailing—but in the right direction.” I love that. So true to my experience. And so instructive. Another friend recently shared how she hit a painful bottom after the death of her longtime companion. Brought to her literal knees—after many less anguished years of faithful prayer—she persevered, crying out to God for re