Dianna Buchwalter

Last summer, I bought a brand-new pair of shoes for our upcoming vacation. They felt perfect in the store. Before we left for our summer getaway, I decided to break them in for a day. Several hours later, those expensive, comfortable shoes gave me a blister, and I couldn’t get them off fast enough.   The unexpected pain made me think of our faith journey . It’s easy to trust God when life feels smooth and familiar. But what about when God calls us to something uncomfortable or unfamiliar?   In Joshua chapter 1 , after Moses had died, God appointed Joshua, his assistant, to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land . Can you imagine being given that task? The fear could have overwhelmed Joshua. However, God knew Joshua’s heart and what he needed to hear. In the first chapter alone, the Lord repeats the same message three times:   v. 6 Be strong and courageous…   v. 7 Above all, be strong and very courageous   v. 9 Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courag...

  "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 ...

Seventy-degree weather and very light sweaters  with lights aglow as children can only dream of snow. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! Santa and Rudolph are placed on the roof up high  with a hey y'all from the passers-by. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! Decorations put out before Thanksgiving as the neighbors tease us Setting up the nativity, but we can't find baby Jesus. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! The heat and AC sing a duet as we drink hot chocolate, trying not to break a sweat. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! Listening to carols sung by the fire as we swat at the bugs just slightly higher. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! Making Grandma's macaroni and sweet potato casserole for dinner while we complain about how we wish we were thinner. Christmas (in the South) is in the air! Watching Christmas Vacation for the 50th time with a glass of sweet tea as we quote every line. Christmas (in the South) is in the air!  Attending Chris...

  It’s two days before Christmas, and the house is currently empty, so I took advantage of the quiet moments and began reading Be Safe, Love Mom this morning. The book is written by a mom of four whose children serve in different U.S. military branches. It was a recommended read by a mom who has long been on this journey that we are soon approaching. From an early age, I knew my son wouldn’t go down the college route. Jeremy despised school. There were many parent-teacher conferences in those early years, and most teachers commented that Jeremy was too impulsive, un-focused, and disruptive to the class but had a heart of gold. I remember saying, “if I can just get him to graduate high school.” That’s how those thoughts ended for me, as I wasn’t sure what would come next for him. There wasn’t an urgency to have anything figured out back then, as time was on our side. As he matured, his character proved to be one I am very proud of. We often talked about the military as he grew, and...

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2 (NIV) Have you ever heard the expression “when God closes a door, He opens a window?” It’s simply saying that God can position us in such a way, whether through approval or rejection, that brings about the results He wants for us.  I remember a time when I was in a very comfortable place in life. No sooner than I got there that another opportunity presented itself. What was different about this situation was I found myself at a crossroads faced with two good choices. Ever been there? It would have been much easier if there was a clear direction I was to take. So, what happens if both windows are open at the same time?  Indecisiveness camped out and I found myself restless. As I did everything I knew to do: prayed without ceasing, read the Bible, made a pros and cons list...

“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25 (CSB) The door opened at 14,000 feet! With someone strapped onto my back, I prepared to plunge to my death. Or, so I thought. Tears streamed down my cheeks as we inched our way to the door. “NO!" I screamed. There was no way I could jump out of that plane. One step is all it would take but I clung to the door until my knuckles were white. Apparently, the skydiving instructor thought I said go instead of no and suddenly we were free falling at a rate of 120 mph! I had difficulty breathing and I was sure I'd be in the arms of Jesus in less than 5 minutes. After what seemed like 5 hours of plummeting, a single cord was pulled and a bright colored umbrella sprouted out above us. We sailed through the sky and in that moment I was able to take in the magnificent beauty that was all around. Once my feet hit the ground, a wave of accomplishment washed over me. "I did it. I conquered my f...