Coping Strategies Category
Flipping My “Whens and Thens”
Posted on January 1, 2014 1 Comment
I’ve spent most of my life wishing it away. Perhaps some of you can relate. Somewhere along life’s journey, I got caught in a pattern of “when… then…” It sounds something like this: “WHEN my children are older and not so needy, THEN I’ll have time to take care of myself and pursue my own […]
Are You Running in Circles?
Posted on September 5, 2013 Leave a Comment
For the last summer getaway of the season, my family and I enjoyed a couple of days at a lake resort in Hayward. While the family was fishing, I took some precious time to sit alone on the dock and just breathe in the beauty of God’s creation. My eyes were quickly drawn to the […]
When the “Car” Blows Up
Posted on October 2, 2012 Leave a Comment
A few years ago, when I was bitter and angry that my life had seemingly blown up before my eyes, I remember a wise counselor telling me this story: “I had a car that was always in need of repair…I was always fixing something, patching something, wiring something on – it was always in the […]
Lessons from Happy the Hermit Crab
Posted on September 13, 2012 2 Comments
We had a tragedy in our family this summer. A sweet little hermit crab named Happy, given to my daughter by her beloved kindergarten teacher, did not survive the molting process. Perhaps because his “parents” (a.k.a. me and my husband) did not know that a hermit crab would molt. And why didn’t we know? Because […]
A “Child’s” Anxieties
Posted on September 7, 2012 5 Comments
School started a few days ago, and there was an air of both excitement and apprehension in my home. My 9-year-old was the excited one, eager to get back to friends, fun, and a familiar routine. My daughter, however, was not feeling so thrilled. When I went to her room to tuck her in the […]
If You’re Swept Up in the Chaos, Find Peace on the Shore
Posted on August 26, 2012 1 Comment
A few months ago, my son and I stood on the banks of the river that flows through our area. After torrents of rain had flooded it this spring, the river was rushing wildly with such force it was breathtaking. My son periodically threw sticks and pine cones into the water, then stood in awe […]
Lost in life? Stop and ask for directions!
Posted on August 14, 2012 2 Comments
We’ve all been in a car with a driver who was clearly lost, but too stubborn or too overwhelmed to admit it. We probably stewed in frustration as he or she drove aimlessly, often in circles, passing the same street corner multiple times. Despite our impatient pleas to just stop and ask for directions, the […]
Beat Head Against Wall. Repeat.
Posted on August 4, 2012 4 Comments
We’ve all heard the saying, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Why are we so prone to beat our head against the same wall repeatedly before we finally decide to try something different? Very often, the answer to that question lies in our propensity […]
Resentments often get “Returned to Sender”
Posted on July 20, 2012 2 Comments
I once tried to send an email to my friend, only to have it repeatedly bounce back to me as “undeliverable.” In frustration, each time it happened I would precisely retype the email address and click “send” again, only to have the same maddening results. As the tedious process continued throughout the next couple of […]
You make me SO mad!
Posted on July 12, 2012 2 Comments
“You make me SO mad!” she screamed at me through crocodile tears, then she turned on her heels and stomped off. My six-year-old’s words hit a nerve with me. Exasperated by her finger-pointing, I followed her and gently– through gritted teeth– reminded her that it was her actions that had brought down her undesired consequences. […]
Sharlene Prinsen 