Dear friend…

January 13, 2011 | Family: Nurturing Family, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Q&A: Dear Friend, Video Bible study

Dear Suzie,

I have set boundaries.

 I have a family relationship with someone who is manipulative and cruel with words and actions.  When I set boundaries, my family did not react well.  They saw her pain, and reacted with anger toward me.  I have now had to create very strong boundaries so that this person will stop abusing me, and will not be able to manipulate my children with lies and confusing mood swings.  It has resulted in isolation from the rest of my family (my father, my siblings, and their children).  

This person continues to send cruel messages, and causes great pain.  I was always the optimist, the child that found the best in everything, the one that believe for the best, and now I feel broken. I need to know how to be a great woman of God. I know what NOT to do, but I am not sure how to fill in the gaps.  I would love prayers of comfort, of continual conformation that God is with me, and that he loves me. 

Your friend, Anon (more…)

Why so slow?

November 22, 2010 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Q&A: Dear Friend

Dear Suzie,

I love your devotional about anger it was right on time. I have been healing but its been very slow. I was just wondering if you had any suggestions. M. (more…)

my teen is acting out

October 15, 2010 | Family: Nurturing Family, Q&A: Dear Friend

Dear Suzie: I’m struggling as a mom. Lately my 13-year-old daughter is acting out and seeking battles.  Last night I spanked her for being disrespectful. It’s not that I wanted to, and it hurt because I really have a good kid, but I just can’t let this keep on.

Because of my background, I promised myself that I wouldn’t spank and I struggle with knowing if I’m causing more harm than good. I do know that I shouldn’t spank in anger so I always ‘check’ myself first and make sure that I’m not reacting in/from anger.

When is restricting privileges and activities not enough? How is the best way to set boundaries in behavior when the child continues to disobey or act out?

I so want to be a caring mom. I want her memories of me to be good ones and the lessons learned to remain.

A Moms Together mom (used with permission)

(more…)

Dear friend: new beginnings

August 27, 2010 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Q&A: Dear Friend

“I’m just like that seed, Suzie. The one that is on the rocks. I knew Jesus as a child, but got lost from my faith. Later I tried again, but I let other things get in and take away my faith. Is it too late? R. M.” (more…)

Dear friend: just take one step

May 27, 2010 | Faith: Knowing Christ, Q&A: Dear Friend

Many of the comments and behind-the-scene e-mails from Tuesday’s Encouragement for Today devotion weighed heavy on my heart this week, so I did the only thing I knew to do. I took them to prayer. I want you to know that I prayed for every request that came in, and if they seemed so big that I didn’t know how to respond I shared them with my Proverbs 31 prayer warrior sisters.

This was one e-mail (paraphrased to protect her privacy): (more…)

one thing

May 11, 2010 | Family: Nurturing Family, Feelings: Intentional freedom, Q&A: Dear Friend

I want to do better, Suzie.

I’m a pastor’s wife and I’m ashamed of the things I’m carrying into my children’s lives from my past.

Where do I start? (more…)