THE AWKWARD MOM

because uncomfortable conversations are the ones worth having

Tag: God (page 1 of 7)

Dealing With Your Parenting “If Only”s

Reading Time: 3 minutes

if only

Question. What’s the one thing you wish about your family that feels like it would make everything better? That finally, your parenting could really sing?

What’s your “if only”? read more

Suffering: “This is going to hurt me more than it hurts you”

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Four years ago, my husband and I squinted through snow flurries as we wound our way to Denver.

We were driving my 13-year-old to an MRI screening for cancer.

Lymphoma is a primary consideration, the radiologist had said, goading us toward the test that day. read more

“We Never Fight”: The Problem with Zero Conflict

Reading Time: 4 minutes

we never fight

I was glad/sad to see high click-throughs for my recent post, When Valentine’s Day is hard.

Maybe I’m reading into it. But maybe some of you are army-crawling through hard times. Or know someone who is. (Or are curious to see exactly how I would tackle that beast.) read more

Fences, Sex, & Not-so-bad Boundaries

Reading Time: 3 minutes

invisible fences good boundaries

One of my favorite recent additions to our house: An invisible fence to keep our adorable, occasionally obnoxious puppy from

  • running after our local deer infestation.
  • pursuing other dogs and unsuspecting passersby.
  • getting another person’s dog knocked up in the future.
  • being flattened by a vehicle.
  • annoying or alarming the new guests at the VRBO next door. To be clear, he’s ten pounds, so not a huge threat, literally or metaphorically.
  • indulging his insatiable curiosity and appetite for exploration to the point he can’t find his way back.

In short, our fence protects charming, tuna-and-gym-socks-loving little Charlie from himself. read more

When God Says “No” (for now): FREE printable

Reading Time: 2 minutes

when god says no

Dear readers–I’m pulling this one from the archives today for you…mostly because it was what I needed. -J.

Do you remember the first time you wondered if God really was good? read more

Not Enough: When Self-Doubt is Real

Reading Time: 4 minutes

not enough

It’s become legend in my family–the night I went to see Hedda Gabler at my university as a freshman.

Somewhere in Act II, I think, my friend Paul came on stage wearing a painted-on black eye.  And that’s when I promptly began to feel lightheaded. I was thinking, Janel. It’s makeup read more

Spiritual Health When You’re Busy: 7 Easy Ways

Reading Time: 4 minutes

spiritual health

Let’s get real. You may be even a little too busy to read this post.

Or maybe you’re tired of picking up things with a lot of pieces. Or trying to find the owner of the toenail clipping on the table. (These have all been me.) read more

What kind of [spiritual] personal training does your child need?

Reading Time: 5 minutes

personal training

A couple of my kids have recently joined the other two in pursuing some personal fitness goals.

So y’know, that’s cool. read more

Questions to Take Your Relationship With God Deeper

Reading Time: 2 minutes

relationship with God

This week on a phone conversation with a friend, she asked what’s become our custom at the end of our calls: What’s one intimate prayer request I can pray for?

It was probably telling that I didn’t really know. read more

Struggling with Faith? You’re in Good Company.

Reading Time: 4 minutes

struggling with faith

It was a conversation in my cubicle more than a decade ago, but my friend’s words remain seared in my mind: “You know, I think God loves strugglers.”

You know? I see it. read more

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