Confident children
Parents who are concerned about their children’s progress at each stage of their development, as nearly all parents are, need to realize what an important role a child’s... »
Personal Accounts
Encouragement
During a recent work evaluation, I was surprised to receive the feedback that my coworkers do not find me especially encouraging. This hit me hard, because I’ve always co... »
The formula
The topic of letting God work through us is very dear to my heart, as I find it encouraging when God chooses unexpected people to do His work, and then helps them to not... »
The way home
I was listening to Frankie Miller singing “A Long Way Home” when the lyrics took on personal meaning. Oh, it’s a long way home In the night alone When your songs are all... »
The good shepherd
I’m privileged to lead a weekly Sunday School group of children between the ages of 9 and 13 in a low-income settlement just outside our city in Cape Town. Teaching them... »
Musical woods
It’s sometimes called the most human of instruments, because it has the noble mission of expressing our deepest emotions. It sings in its deep vibrant voice to touch our... »
Working with God
The workplace can be a challenging and competitive arena. Too often, honesty and hard work can lose out to the pursuit of a quick buck and me-first politicking. But there... »
Less is better
I vividly remember the day in my early twenties when I was sitting in the comfortable living room of my upper-middle class home and felt a void and restlessness within me... »
Peacemakers
I often feel discouraged with the state of the world. I read the newspaper and watch the evening news report and sometimes I get just plain upset! Why is there so much di... »
The conclusion
The book of Ecclesiastes is a wonderful read when I get overwhelmed with the big questions—what’s the meaning of life, what does God want from me, how should I react to t... »
Finding my identity
When I was a schoolgirl, I remember hearing a melancholic song that contained the lyrics, “Why was I born; why am I living?” At the time, I couldn’t imagine why anyone wo... »
Eve's piano dream
Several years ago, one of my neighbors was a shy 10-year-old girl with very inquisitive eyes and a big smile. One day, Eve mentioned her dream of learning to play the pia... »
Grandma, grandpa, and the drumsticks
I knew a pair of grandparents whose home was furnished with antique armchairs, ornate flower arrangements, and burgundy carpets. Aside from being an experienced homemaker... »