by Elaine Olsen | Feb 27, 2019 | church life, holiness, methodism, ministry life, pain, surrender
“Even if it wounds him.” That was the prayer that I prayed several years ago on behalf of one of my sons who was going through a particularly difficult time in his life. It was a hard prayer to pray. No good parent wants to invite unnecessary pain...
by Elaine Olsen | Sep 20, 2018 | faith, Jadon's fight, pain, parenting, Raising Faith, suffering
“Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” -1 Timothy 6:11 He lies here, stretched out and so very vulnerable, like when he arrived in this world. His...
by Elaine Olsen | Jun 11, 2018 | family fun, out of the mouths of babes, pain, parenting
“At least in heaven we’ll be friends again.” Tears fell from her eyes as she imparted a final hope regarding a relational struggle she’s been dealing with for the past six months. Tears fell from my eyes as well. As a mother, my greatest personal pains have always...
by Elaine Olsen | Apr 14, 2018 | brokenness, courage, fellowship with God, letting go, pain, suffering, surrender
Betrayal. It’s a terrible sting, a wounding not easily salved. Betrayal cuts more profoundly than disappointment because betrayal is rooted in motive. Betrayal is planned deception. Betrayal is attached to the heart. Whereas I am often disappointed by someone’s...
by Elaine Olsen | Oct 22, 2014 | christian perfection, faith, holiness, Lessons from the Lunchroom, living God's truth, pain, pilgrimage, surrender, trust
It’s the heart stuff that concerns me most … both theirs and mine. Growing pains. A soul stretch. A sacred wrecking … reckoning. We’re in this together, and (at this point in the journey) we’re standing at a crossroads. Either we’re going deeper into this holy...
by Elaine Olsen | May 4, 2014 | book release, book special, brokenness, cancer volume 4, grief, loss, pain, suffering
One glance in her direction, and I knew that she was carrying a terrible ache in her heart. Maybe it was the way her head was lowered, covered up by the golden locks that frame her face. Maybe it was the way she flicked her husband’s hand away from the back of her...
