Author

Lois Flowers

When Your Little One Isn’t So Little Anymore

by Lois Flowers December 8, 2015

by Lois Flowers

Before I started this blog last year, I had a conversation with my college roommate—a dear friend who has been reading my writing for more years than I care to count. Knowing my love of the Associated Press Stylebook, she wondered if I would abandon journalistic conventions and adopt bloggy techniques like putting periods after one word for emphasis.

I had no intention of ever doing that, nor have I actually done it. Until now.

This week, my little Molly turns 11. And the only way I can sum up how this makes me feel is this: Simply. Not. Possible.

December 8, 2015 12 comments

Song of the Month: “Praise You”

by Lois Flowers December 6, 2015

by Lois Flowers

Some months I’m so sure about the song I’m going to share with you. Other months I waffle back and forth until something suddenly crystallizes in my head and then I know—this is the one.

The latter happened this time.

It’s December, but this isn’t a Christmas song. It’s not one that everyone around here loves, but I do. I’m somewhat lacking in rhythm, but this tune absolutely makes me dance around the kitchen island when I’m making supper.

With a build up like that, you can hardly wait to hear it, right? So here you go: Big Daddy Weave’s “Praise You.”

December 6, 2015 6 comments

When Someone You Love is Infertile (and a Giveaway)

by Lois Flowers December 1, 2015

by Lois Flowers

Holidays in the wilderness are tough, no matter the struggle. But the desert of infertility presents particular challenges because so many of the festive celebrations and cozy traditions revolve around children. I’m not there now, but I remember all too well how the ache deepens at this time of year. If you know of someone who is walking this lonely road, this post is for you.

You may never have thought of this before, but people who deal with infertility often feel like misfits in a society that is so oriented around children. This is especially true in the church, where motherhood is considered to be one of life’s most noble callings.

Take it from someone who knows: Your infertile friend doesn’t want you to feel sorry for her, but she does want you to care.

December 1, 2015 24 comments

Finding Blessings Tucked Between Pages of Scripture

by Lois Flowers November 24, 2015

by Lois Flowers

When it comes to Bible management, there are two extremes. There are people who come home from church on Sunday and immediately remove every scrap of paper from their Bibles, and there are those who keep every single bulletin, flyer and inspirational bookmark they’ve ever owned stuffed between the pages of their Bibles.

(I know this spectrum exists because I am married to one of those first people, and I’m pretty sure it’s a scientific fact that every extreme must have an opposite extreme, thus the second group.)

Several weeks ago, author Jennifer Dukes Lee posted something on her blog that got me thinking about this.

November 24, 2015 16 comments

When Bad Nights Inspire Warm Memories

by Lois Flowers November 17, 2015

by Lois Flowers

Little Molly was sick, but not enough to warrant ER-in-the-middle-of-the-night concern. At least we didn’t think so at the time. Her cough was thick and her breathing quick, but not so fast as to be alarmed.

As the hours passed, her symptoms worsened. Had it been daytime, I would have taken her to the pediatrician, or at least called the office for advice from the nurse. But it was late, and at that point in our parenting journey, we had no experience with after-hours clinics.

When her fever hit 103, though, I called our insurance company’s emergency nursing hotline. If her fever goes above 104, take her to the ER, the nurse calmly told me.

November 17, 2015 16 comments

What Not to Say to Adoptive Parents

by Lois Flowers November 10, 2015

by Lois Flowers

When I see someone walking through a dark valley or trudging through a long wilderness, I want to reach out, but I’m often at a loss for what to do.

That’s why I find articles featuring what I like to call “from-the-trenches” guidance to be so helpful. What better way to learn—to truly understand—than from someone who’s been there and knows first hand what it’s like?

Tricia Lott Williford, a widow with two young sons, recently wrote a column of this type titled “4 Ways to Offer Help to Someone in Crisis,” in which she listed questions and statements that do not help, each paired with words that do.

Author Liz Curtis Higgs added her wise perspective at (in)courage a while back with this insightful piece: “What Not to Say (When You Gotta Say Something).”

November 10, 2015 22 comments