There’s a lesson in the movie, Old Yeller, for all of us. Doing what’s right is not easy. Sometimes it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do.

The 1957 film, “Old Yeller,” always made me cry when I was a child. Although I didn’t understand why at the time, I felt Travis’ agony as he pulled the trigger on his beloved yeller dog. What a horrible thing for a young teen to have to do.

Travis learned one of those life lessons that adds years of maturity to our lives in a matter of moments – that, sometimes the most we can do to fix the problem is take steps to minimize the collateral damage and move on. [Read more…]

The book of Job has taught me how to be a better caregiver.

Recently, I recounted to a pastor-friend the litany of tough-time events that have assailed my husband’s congregation and our personal family in the last six months. Several families in our congregation have suffered major health, relational, and financial issues. One of our closest friends experienced a tragic death, and my husband stood at the cusp of spinal fusion surgery that warned of a long, tenuous recovery period.

“You sound like Job,” my friend said, referring to the biblical character who lost all his livelihood and health based on a taunt from Satan to God about Job’s righteousness.

“In fact,” my friend said. “I’m going to do the one thing Job’s friends did right. I’m going to remain silent.” [Read more…]