Dianna Buchwalter

  "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with grief; like one from whom people hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not." — Isaiah 53:3 “It doesn’t feel like Christmas, Mom,” my thirteen-year-old said recently. I suggested it might be because she’s getting older. When we’re children, there’s a magical quality to Christmastime. Excitement fills the air as we imagine twinkling lights, warm sugar cookies , and shiny gifts beneath the tree. But as we grow up, life becomes more complicated—sometimes in wonderful ways, and sometimes not. For those blessed with children of their own, the “magic” of Christmas can reappear as we experience it through their eyes. But children grow up, too, and eventually, we may find ourselves back in a place where Christmas doesn’t feel quite as joyful or “Christmassy” (if that’s even a word) as it once did. We all navigate different seasons of life. Perhaps you’re a young adult overwhelmed with little on...

  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.   Lamentations 3:22-23 As soon as my eyes opened wide, I mindlessly scrolled through my phone.  I messed up today, Lord. Priorities already misaligned.   Woke the kids up for school and spilled coffee on my shirt. Put a dirty dish in the fridge and dropped my laptop in the dirt.   No time to read my Bible this morning, so I listened through the app in the car. Slammed the brakes just in time. I didn’t see the animal from afar.     Pulled up to the school and yelled at my daughter for no reason. Tried to make myself feel better by saying: it’s only this crazy season.   Frazzled and annoyed, I sat down at my desk. While secretly wishing I had more time to rest.   Lost in work and emails and scratching off to-dos. I sighed a little loud and wondered, God, where are you?   He answered back, but I ...