Author: Holly Hawes Shiny lights and glittery things are spilling out of windows around the world as we prepare for Christmas. Even the stingiest of Christmas decor purists have begun to decorate. Others, like me, are turning up the Christmas music with a triumphant cheer because NO ONE can tell us any longer that it…
When Holiday Expectations Go Unfulfilled
Author: Sarah Dohman I was born the day after Christmas. In fact, I was born at 2-something in the wee hours of the morning. Had I come any sooner, I would have been a Christmas baby. Every year growing up, and well into my 20s, my family would sort of roll the celebrations into one…
Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving
Author: Chara Donahue ‘Twas the week before Thanksgiving and all through the house, people were nauseous and I looked at my spouse. The children were stirring, up late in their beds, with buckets, in case, next to their heads. Daddy disinfected and I took a nap, trying to elude a nasty virus’ trap. Then the…
Dear Sunday School Teacher
Author: Chara Donahue Dear Sunday School Teacher, I recently told my children that we would be transitioning away from our home church in order to multiply the ministry we are a part of. Two kids cried and one outright refused to leave. She declared that we could drop her off on our way to wherever…
Before I Rise
Author: Chara Donahue Before I Rise I must make the choice. It’s on me. What to believe? What to negate? Today I ask, which voice will it be? Live in the light determined to see, or let depravity poison today’s fate? I must make the choice, It’s on me. Passively cower? An internal absentee? Will…
Hope for the Anxious Heart
Author: Chara Donahue Last year my four year-old came running at me as I laid reading, and she jumped with reckless abandon onto my back. Normally, this would have been benign, but this time her elbow struck the tissue sandwiched between two of my vertebrae. The result of which was nerve damage the doctor said…
Somewhere Between the Be and the Go
Author: Chara Donahue It was early Saturday, my husband leaned over to me and whispered he was going to go to the gym for his jujitsu class. Perfect, I thought, he will take the little ones with him, and I will go back to sleep. What a beautiful plan; he is so wonderful; I love…
Prayers for the Gutsy Girl
Author: Chara Donahue Years ago, I attended a ministry boot camp with Darrin Patrick as the keynote speaker. He shared a personal prayer he often prayed with his son. I did not have a son at the time, but the power of it struck me. I stored it away in the pathways of the brain, just in…
Ballade of Bleached Blemishes
If we can make laundry poetic it makes it better, right? Well, here’s hoping. 😉 I cannot face it. I will not look. Let it be. I will not take the bait or tease the hook. The stress, it mounts thinly—layer by layer—I will flee. No, I will fight. I fold the shirt. I…
Hope at Camp
Author: Chara Donahue This past weekend, I got away from my little city and drove through even smaller towns to reach the wilderness and find camp. I retreated into the forest shade to find quiet that soothed my mind from the intensity of creating summer fun for four young children. As I prayed and prepared…
Anchored Voices 