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 | Jun 28, 2016 | creation, family fun, fellowship with God, grace, joy, knowing God, parenting, peace, thanksgiving, worship
These are days of plenty. This is a season of more-than-enough. This is holy generosity dispensed to me by the King. This isn’t a season of less-than, although as of late I have been tempted to argue otherwise: • Aging parents and accumulating needs making their...
by Elaine Olsen | Mar 22, 2015 | book review, family fun, parenting, pilgrimage
I had the privilege this evening of praying with a friend. The focus of our prayer? Our children – hers grown, mine half-grown. Or so it seems. Does the growth factor really ever come to an end? Does our growing up have an expiration date? I don’t think so. In that...
by Elaine Olsen | Jun 14, 2014 | dad, faith, family fun, heaven, letting go, obedience, packing up, parenting, pilgrimage, surrender, trust
Through the front windshield, I could see that they were talking – daddy telling a story to my thirteen-year-old son, sharing a ride together in that ’93 Chevy truck that’s been in the family for over two decades. I followed closely behind, staying in the...
by Elaine Olsen | May 13, 2014 | calling, discipleship, family fun, grace, Holy Spirit, Lessons from the Lunchroom, living God's truth, obedience, out of the mouths of babes, parenting
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we...
by Elaine Olsen | Jan 5, 2014 | grief, pain, parenting, prayer, suffering, sundays
Paint my boy a Sabbath sunrise, Father – one filled with the color of hope, not the cover of despair. Take the pain that’s been smeared onto his canvas at night and replace it with splashes of your morning grace. What she has taken from him, replace it with what you...
