kindness

The Power of Words in Business

by Jill Hart March 12, 2012
Thumbnail image for The Power of Words in Business

I love email. I know it’s silly, but I truly love receiving emails—especially from women who are a part of my ministry, Christian Work at Home Moms. I love hearing what God is doing in their lives and how He is creating businesses out of the very fabric of who they are and the things [...]

Read the full article →

Dress a Girl Around the World

by Suzanne Lofgren January 11, 2011

Who We Are and What We Do… We are women from many cities and countries working with Hope4Kids International to serve girls so poor they can only dream of ever owning a new dress. We transform used pillowcases, sheets and donated fabric remnants into dresses any little girl can be proud of. Our pattern is [...]

Read the full article →

The Stranger at the Deli Counter

by Rachelle Rea December 2, 2010
Thumbnail image for The Stranger at the Deli Counter

Pop. Pop. Crack. Pop. Pop. Crack. Maggie sighed. The woman in front of her in the deli line was popping gum like she was in a speed-chewing contest. Without thinking, Maggie took an involuntary step backward. The woman immediately noticed. “What?” Offense dripped from her voice. Maggie felt her cheeks begin to redden. “Nothing, ma’am.” [...]

Read the full article →

Loving God—Loving People

by Kristine McGuire January 16, 2010
Thumbnail image for Loving God—Loving People

When my husband and I were first married twenty-one years ago we struggled financially, as many young couples do. We lived day by day. Paycheck to paycheck. Trusting in God’s provision and not telling anyone of our need. There was one particular time when we honestly didn’t know how we were going to buy food [...]

Read the full article →

Needs

by Sharon Patterson May 3, 2009

I look down, my attention hypnotized by the aimless activity of your precious plump hands, Our communication is mere sensory perception; but oh, sweet child, what we are able to say to one another. I long for the moment when words channel those senses into syllables. Until then, I shall meet each whimper with a [...]

Read the full article →

Through the Eyes of Love

by Sharon Patterson March 13, 2009
Thumbnail image for Through the Eyes of Love

This is a story I would like to have written as a first hand witnessed account. I was not present when it happened because my teaching job was a necessity at that time in our family’s life. My mother-in-law was living with us and caring for our eighteen month old son, Joseph. I was tired [...]

Read the full article →

A Family Mission—Do You Have One?

by Maren Stowman October 5, 2008
Thumbnail image for A Family Mission—Do You Have One?

For my parents, sisters, and me, it started when we made it a family project to put together a CarePack of school supplies destined for the Former Soviet Union several years ago. Though still a young teen, I read the mailings carefully and wanted to be a bigger part of the ministry. While I dreamed [...]

Read the full article →

Caring Confrontation

by Jan Lutz March 26, 2008
Thumbnail image for Caring Confrontation

My friend told me her secret sin She doesn’t think it’s wrong I want to do what’s best for her Since we’ve been friends so long. I could just overlook it Pretend I didn’t hear But I must do what’s best for me So my conscience is clear. First I must seek guidance So fervent [...]

Read the full article →

Encouragers are Heaven Sent

by Constance Gilbert September 1, 2007

I lived in Milwaukee, St. Louis, Annapolis, Albuquerque and back to Milwaukee before I was seven years old; and I attended three different schools. Being shy, it was hard to make friends. Moving so much also meant losing them. The instability and repeated losses increased my shyness; they became the basis for fears I would [...]

Read the full article →

God Loves the Caregivers

by Mariane Holbrook February 27, 2007
Thumbnail image for God Loves the Caregivers

Nearly all of us have been through it. If not, we can be sure it will happen sooner or later. Caring for a loved one or close friend who is terminally ill can sap our strength, often reduce us to tears, and make us wonder where God is in all of this. Be encouraged! God [...]

Read the full article →

The Day I Wasn’t Invited to the Party

by Betty Jo Mings October 5, 2006

In the 1930′s almost everybody seemed poor, some just more so than others. I was the youngest of six children, and my father had walked out and left my mother to face the awesome responsibility of feeding and taking care of all six of us. We moved from my grandfather’s farm in the country to [...]

Read the full article →