Recently on a Saturday morning I attended a seminar, “Growing Up Peaceful.” As an over-50 mom, I have a growing list of families for whom I pray with deep compassion. Among these, many are struggling to understand why their child has panic attacks or cannot show up consistently for a class or job. A child struggling with anxiety or depression is a common concern. As a mother (and future grandmother!), I strive to be aware of how I can make a difference in the life of my children and their friends.

I am an extremely grateful father of five adult children, all of whom love Jesus and one another. How did this happen? I’m not sure, but here are some highlights of what happened along the way.