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 | Jul 19, 2013 | Analogy, Faith, God, Humility, Mistakes, Parenting, Talents
In my hands, I hold the strings of the three kite-like kids whom God has blessed me with. I have a lot to juggle with three–wanting each one to soar high in the sky. It’s so fun to have the other people around me tilt their heads back and admire the...
by Shannon Popkin | Jun 13, 2013 | Change, Communication, Faith, Food, Teens
Dear Seventeen-Year-Old Me,Let’s talk about boys. It’s going to be rough for a while. You’re going to crave the attention of boys, but mostly because you want to know that you’re OK. You want to know that you’re pretty enough, smart enough, and fun enough… And...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 29, 2013 | Beliefs, Faith, Sin
Lindsay had this cute, little white sweater to go over her Easter dress when she was about three. But by mid-afternoon, the sweater was no longer completely white. It had little chocolate smears (and drooly drips) all over it. So my cousin, Nicole, said, “Want...
by Shannon Popkin | Dec 11, 2012 | Anxiety, Compassion, Faith, Holidays, Pregnancy
In one afternoon, her serene, predictable life disintegrated.She hadn’t done anything wrong, but everyone would think she had. Even though her community knew her to be a sweet, kind girl, she would still be presumed guilty until proven innocent–not the...