On my way to a recent book signing, I found myself eagerly anticipating time with fellow Christian educators. There’s something special about the bond we share. Those of us called to serve children understand the joys, challenges, and deep sense of purpose that comes from knowing we’re shaping lives for eternity. However, on this particular morning God had a lesson waiting for me, a lesson about trust. Little did I know that a traffic jam would remind me how much I still need

As a lifelong educator, I’ve often felt concerned about the future of education. With so much change, unrest, and uncertainty in the world of education today, it’s easy to wonder what lies ahead for our schools. However, recently the Lord gave me a deep sense of encouragement and peace. At a book signing for Taking Jesus to School: The Fruit of the Spirit on Display ,  the town where I visited held a special night for educators. Many teachers came by my table, and we gave awa

This wasn’t supposed to be my blog topic this week. Honestly, God interrupted my plans, and I wasn’t all that happy about it. I hope it’s okay to admit that. Do you ever wonder why things have to be so hard sometimes? Years ago I was asked to work with a group of educators in a given district. During one of my conversations with leadership, I couldn’t help but ask my point of contact, “Does everything here have to be so complicated?” She paused, gave me one of those knowing s

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22–23 “How can you be so calm at a time like this?” “I’m shocked at how patient you are with her. She was so frustrating to teach.” “Why don’t his comments bother you? Aren’t you offended?” “How can you be so nice to her when she’s been so mean to you?” If you’ve been in education for long, you’ve probably he

43 years- August 14th! My husband and I are lifelong educators. In true teacher fashion, we got married in August—right before school started—thinking it was the perfect time. Fast forward ten years, and I can remember us forcing ourselves to go out for a “nice” anniversary dinner while juggling a young family and demanding administrative roles. We were exhausted. (Why did  we get married in August?) Even now, years after retiring from the public school system, I still get a

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go .  Joshua 1:9 Many of you are experiencing the excitement of starting another school year - spending time in the classroom, decorating bulletin boards, arranging desks, and anxiously waiting for students to arrive. For me, August will mark the beginning of the first school year since I was five years old that I won't be returning

What if the secret to a joyful, resilient school year isn’t found in better lesson plans or smoother classroom routines but in a heart that starts full every morning? Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “How satisfied am I?”  Is that even okay to ask?   Look around. Satisfaction doesn’t appear to be the norm in our culture. There always seems to be something wrong with our jobs, marriages, finances, circumstances, or even ourselves. The drive to do better and be better

If you read my last blog, “I Am in Awe: When God Calls You to More Than You Imagined,”  then you know I’m in a new season, one that’s requiring a deeper trust in God as I navigate the unknown. Writing and publishing Taking Jesus to School  stretched me in ways I never imagined. Now, however, I am being stretched even further. How do we get this book into the hands of Christian educators across the country? That’s a whole new journey of faith—uncharted and unfamiliar. Not to b

“Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!” Psalm 33:8 I. AM. IN. AWE. It is here! In am in awe  that God would choose me—a fellow educator—to write a book for others walking the same path. I am in awe  that He could take both my missteps and milestones and use them to offer hope and encouragement. I am in awe  that He would fill my heart and mind with insight to speak into the challenges we face in today’s educational landscap

Every educator understands the power of repetition. Sometimes our students simply need to memorize facts and information. At other times, it’s all about practice, practice, practice until a skill is mastered. In either case, repetition is required. Repetition rules! However, let’s be honest. Repetition isn’t always welcome in today’s fast-paced, just-Google-it culture. Why bother remembering anything when you can look it up in two seconds? The answer lies in brain research. N

I’ll never forget the summer I transformed our entryway with subtle, hand-painted stripes long before HGTV made statement walls all the rage!  After countless hours of measuring, taping, and squinting under every kind of lighting to get it just right, my DIY masterpiece finally came to life. So tell me. How are you  spending your summer? Are you taking a university class or two to check off requirements for that next degree? Are you getting those professional development hour

Victory Series: It’s Time to Share! In our pursuit of living boldly for Christ, it's easy to think our story must be dramatic or publicly visible to be meaningful. In past Victory Series  blogs, we've highlighted educators who’ve launched prayer groups with colleagues, started Christian clubs for students, and partnered with community organizations to serve families. Others have equipped students to share their faith with confidence. These are powerful, inspiring examples. Th

As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be a Christian educator. For many of us, teaching is more than just a job; it’s a calling and a ministry. It provides an opportunity to make a difference not only in the minds of our students but also in their hearts and lives. Thankfully, we don’t have to do this alone. VEM’s theme this year for Teacher Appreciation Week is One Team, One Purpose . It reminds us that we’re part of something big

It was a sunny spring Saturday morning in April when our oldest daughter experienced her first official Easter egg hunt. She had perfected her running and walking over the winter months.  What better time to put those chubby little legs to use than to join other toddlers picking up candy-filled plastic eggs on an open field as parents watched and cheered from the sidelines? I can still picture us arranging her little hat, securing her Easter basket, and carefully articulating

I don’t like chores. I do them, but I must admit that I don’t always do them with a cheerful heart. One of the chores I don’t mind so badly, however, is yard work. Cutting the grass, edging the yard, and blowing off the driveway are tasks I kind of enjoy. Perhaps it stems back to my high school days mowing yards as a summer job. I also think part of it is that it is a task in which one can easily see progress and even observe a finished product in a short amount of time. Rega

Years ago – actually, I should probably admit it was decades  ago – I ran relay races on the track team. Our coach would arrange us by the industry standard. The fastest runner ran the anchor. The next fastest runner was first in the relay, and the next fastest after that ran the second leg. The slowest runner on the team ran third in the race. To be fair, they were all fast, but they were ranked by how quickly they moved.  Since returning to school as a teacher, I have alway

Sometimes the little things that make us uncomfortable can uncover deeper feelings or issues we didn’t even know we had. Initially, what seems small and insignificant can prompt us to examine what’s really important. If we take time to pause and listen to the Holy Spirit’s voice, these moments can help us identify what truly matters. Let me explain. Many of you reading this know I spent the last 20 years of my career traveling and working with educators across the country wit

How many times have you thought to yourself, “I need to be more patient”? Have you been in a situation when you had to practice patience? I know I accidentally asked God to give me more patience, and do you know what He did? Exactly what I asked! He allowed me to be in multiple situations where I had to practice that very skill. Let me share a few of my experiences with you and what I have learned in the waiting .   I have been attending church since I was born. My mother was

I know I might be showing my age, but doesn’t the title of this blog make you want to hum Boston’s "More Than a Feeling"? If you haven’t heard it, I encourage you to listen. It’s a classic! While the lyrics don’t provide insight into what love truly is, they remind us that love is, indeed, more than a feeling. Love often comes with a whirlwind of emotions – the butterflies over a middle school crush, the pangs of jealousy when someone gets too close to our partner, or the hea

There is something about the word rest that resonates with me. If you are an educator, I’m sure you feel the same way. Rest is a precious commodity in our profession. Unfortunately, exhaustion and overwork – driven by the numerous demands we face – have inadvertently become a badge of honor. As for me, it has turned into a way of life. I am a strong advocate for hard work, but I have learned that it can sometimes be taken too far. When dedication to working hard transforms in