What is it that makes someone a great mom? Great feels both generic and overwhelming all at the same time. But there’s an element of effort there, too. I believe great moms all share some common qualities that have nothing to do with creating Pinterest-worthy birthday parties or buying our kids the latest and greatest “thing.” Being a mother is a lifelong journey. It doesn’t end when your last child graduates, so there’s always room for growth and learning. The mothers we are, and the mothers we become, start with choice. The choice to be great.

Parenting can be tricky and wonderful all at the same time. When faced with uncertainty, fears and doubts, run first to God’s Word for encouragement, wisdom and guidance.

Parenting college-aged kids adds a whole new dimension to your prayer life. While sending a child to college can be a bittersweet experience, most parents are buoyed by the excitement their child feels in anticipation of that new start. When asked, “What do you wish you had known?” my answer probably isn’t one most expect. But somewhere in the midst of all the excitement, planning and preparation, we need to discuss the depth of the transition.

Should you date before saying “I do?” I think the easy answer to that is yes. Yet here I am celebrating 27 years of marriage to a man I never dated. While the odds might have been stacked against us, God was in the details. Cheers to 27 years!

What makes a marriage last? No one enters into marriage expecting it to fail, but reaching “until death do us part,” requires a healthy dose of compromise, forgiveness, and grace. In a filtered world of Insta-worthy happiness, we need to guard our marriages against the cultural creep of “you do you.” Building careers, raising children, and navigating life’s peaks and valleys can strain a marriage. It’s nothing like dating, and there will be seasons of joy and seasons of pain. But when you have two people committed to one another, who love unconditionally, your “ever after” will follow.

It’s hard not to become wrapped in fear, particularly over things outside our control. Yet, God reminds His followers to “Fear not,” 365 times! Yep, that’s one reminder for each day of the year. As believers, we’re not immune to fears or worry, but we have choices about how we handle them. As with all things, this, too, shall pass. Until then, let’s help point our friends and family to the One who offers us peace in the midst of life’s storms.