When Life Is Difficult
A young woman lost her husband to heart problems. An older man lost his wife to cancer. A middle-aged woman was in the hospital for major surgery. A second one received a diagnosis of cancer, and a third woman was rushed to the hospital and had a torn aorta. I sat in...
When Valentine’s Day Is Difficult
“I hate Valentine’s Day. I’m divorced, and I don’t have a boyfriend.” Jenny had stopped me in the gym parking lot to lament her situation. “At one time, I also dreaded Valentine’s Day but not anymore.” Jenny raised her brows and said, “What changed?” “Let me share...
When Christmas Is Hard
Have you lost a loved one or been through a divorce? Have you faced a major move or the loss of a job? Have you received a diagnosis of a life-threatening illness or made a significant change in your lifestyle? If you answered, “Yes,” to any one of these questions,...
Have the Troubles of Your Heart Multiplied?
Psalm 25:17: “The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.” A woman confided that she struggles with grief since the loss of her husband. Another one asked me how to manage as a single parent without a spouse after a divorce. As I listened to...
When Life Gets Tough
Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Financial problems, a life-altering disease or a life-threatening disease, depression, and disappointments. At some time in life, we, or a loved one, will face one or two of...
How Close to Perfect Are You?
James 3:2: “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” Saturday afternoon, I told a friend I’d learned the hard way not to say anything about anybody. About three or four...
From the Fields to the Military and a Doctorate-Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny, CPC
Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny believes her greatest achievement came when she joined the military after high school and designed a new life for herself. Her parents and grandparents were migrant laborers and lived a rough but honest life. When her parents divorced, Sandra...
Do You Realize How Much You’re Loved?
Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.” Valentine’s Day will soon be here. You may not feel loved. You may be single again through widowhood or divorce. Perhaps you’re married, but your relationship lacks...
Has This Type of Talk Broken Your Heart?
Psalm 55:21: “His speech is smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.” A batterer, an angry person, an unfaithful spouse, or some selfish person may have been a part of your life or may still be part...
