by Shannon Popkin | Jan 1, 2015 | Fear, Goals, Holidays, Humility, Jesus, Serving
I laughed as I read my friend Jocelyn’s Christmas letter. She described how her 8-year-old, Elsa, has solidified her life plans–where she’ll attend college, her field of study, and her career objectives after graduation. Life is quite tidy for Elsa....
by Shannon Popkin | Oct 3, 2014 | Compassion, Humility, Jesus, Parenting, Roles, Serving
Dedicated to my friends at Thornapple MOPS. :)I’ll never forget the Hazens. We knew their family when we had preschoolers and babies. They had big, burly boys, who absolutely loved my kids–especially our new baby, Cade. They would ask to hold him, and...
by Shannon Popkin | Jan 17, 2014 | Faith, Fear, Gifts, Humility, Kids' Perspective, Pain, Parenting, seasons, Teens
As a mom, one of the most painful things in life is to see my kids struggle through something that is humiliating. I alternate between wanting to fix my child and eradicate the struggle, and wanting to pummel anyone who would dare to snicker or poke fun at...
by Shannon Popkin | Nov 25, 2013 | Control Girl, Faith, Fear, Humility, Parenting
My friend, Amy, struggles with fear. Especially fear of something happening to her kids. She used to be convinced that if something life-threatening ever endangered one of her kids, she would go into a fetal position in the corner and never come out.But when I talked...
by Shannon Popkin | Nov 1, 2013 | Holidays, Humility, Jesus, Wisdom, Witness
After a friendly email convo with a friend, who was challenging our reasons for trick-or-treating (posted here), I headed out to the neighborhood with my little morph man. As I chatted with old friends, met new neighbors, and smiled at cute little mice, princesses,...
by Shannon Popkin | Oct 29, 2013 | Differences, Holidays, Humility, Parenting
Halloween is the time of year my boys dress up like a Cowboy and Zorro and pose with their weapons pointed at each other, big smiles on their faces, so I can take pictures. Even my daughter, who is in high school still dresses up and goes out with her friends to...