grief – Lyssa Stoyko

Saying “No”–A Story

Choosing to foster is an act of trust in God and his leading. Choosing to continue to foster is an act of trust in God and his leading. Choosing to step out of fostering is an act of trust in God and his leading.

Foster Care and Adoption–In Her Shoes

It is difficult to be hopeful for the bio families if we cannot put ourselves in their shoes. If we never see their hearts but only see the wrong actions they took. If we never acknowledge their grief but only focus on ours. If we forget God’s plan for the family and only live in the broken reality of sin.

Moms in the Bible–Mary, part 2

In the weeks leading up to Good Friday and Easter, it is right that we begin to prepare our hearts in remembrance of the incredible acts of love, mercy and power that Jesus did in those three days. In this episode, as part of our Moms in the Bible series, we are going to look at those three days through the eyes of Mary, Jesus’ mother.

Kneeling with Jesus in the Garden

I have been reflecting on the hours leading up to Jesus’ arrest. In the dark of night, he knelt before God, pleading for a different way, a new plan of redemption. It is perhaps the most powerful example to all of us of the humanity and humility of Christ.

Moms in the Bible–Bathsheba

Our children can be such an encouragement to us in our struggles. They are our life’s work, after all. When we are journeying through difficult moments, sometimes all it takes is to look at them to find hope, to find joy, to find laughter.

Living in the And

Our lives are filled with, lived in, the “and”. Some of those we like. Sometimes though, our “ands” feel oppositional, as though they should not go together, yet in our lives they do. Grief AND joy. Hurt AND healing. Regret AND hope. We struggle to acknowledge both in our lives. It can be confusing. It can cause tension. Yet, both must be acknowledged to truly live.

Moms in the Bible–Naomi and Ruth

In Naomi and Ruth’s story, we see the power of God at work in our pain. He does not leave us to bear it alone but journeys with us in the heartache.