It was in the mid to late 1990s that I had the worst financial struggles as a single mom raising three teenagers alone. I had no family support, and an ex who refused to pay child support. I worked multiple jobs, yet still could not fully provide for my family. One winter, the temperature dropped to the single digits. My teenage son, who normally, proudly walked around in shorts and a T-shirt in the winter, begged me for a winter jacket to replace the one he had long outgrown.
I was far behind on paying my utility bills. The credit cards I relied on to buy groceries, gas, or sometimes pay utilities were full. One evening, overwhelmed with the desperate situation, I tearfully sought out God’s help in spite of the anger I felt towards Him over our drastic situation. After several years of extreme poverty, I saw no relief in sight. I was physically exhausted, mentally spent, and spiritually tired of God’s silence. Continue reading
said, “Wag more, bark less.” My dogs are happy dogs. Their joy is quite visible, they wag their tails more times a day than I can count. We all enjoy a dog’s expression of joy–that whirl of wags and wiggles. But, we become easily annoyed when the barking begins. It’s obvious that barking is also stressful for the barking dog. Though funny at first, the true meaning of that quote sunk in, and hit too close to home.

