Karyn Humphries

TRENCH WORK

I felt oddly alone even though I was with other women I loved and respected.  It was a vulnerable time of confession that was a rare event at a Christian women’s conference. The speaker asked the attendees to light up their phones and raise them in the darkened auditorium when they heard a word that … Read more

RUTHFUL

I didn’t know why I couldn’t call her mom; she gave me a choice, so I called her by her name, Ruth.  It was 1984 and truth be told, I hadn’t even thought about what I would call my mother-in-law.  She was gracious and kind to me, but I hardly knew her.  It also felt … Read more

A HARD THANKS

At a recent Thanksgiving gathering of friends, I read Psalm 100; my “go to” Scripture for Thanksgiving. I quickly grabbed it off my phone, not realizing what translation was selected.   Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!2     Serve the Lord with gladness!    Come into his presence with singing! 3 Know that the Lord, he is God!    It is he who made … Read more

The Beach

“Get out! Get out!” The words ripped through my throat as I stood paralyzed, thigh high deep in the ocean.  I screamed over the roar of the waves and the din of vacationers to my 10 year old son, floating on his boogie board.  Unbeknownst to him, a few yards deeper, a dark fin was … Read more

PHASE 3

My husband, Scott, and I call our current stage of life Phase 3.  It’s part of a totally unscientific formula: –          Phase 1- childhood to young adulthood –          Phase 2 – adulthood, which includes raising our family –          Phase 3 – the time in between launching your kids and retirement.  You could say it’s our … Read more

Holy

As a young woman I was constructed by the world’s expectations.  I had siding and a roof on top, but inside was a different story.  At first I thought the inside was empty, but what I realized was that the inside was filled with distortions of the truth; wishes of who I would like to … Read more

LISTEN

I’m currently enrolled in a Christian Life Coach certification program and it was my turn to give a devotional.  The chapter that we were covering had to do with LISTENING.  I found this funny because my word for 2015 also happens to be LISTEN.  No coincidences with God, right?  So as I sat with God … Read more

SANDRA, THE JEWBU

It happened in a Trader Joe’s parking lot.  A not-so-by-chance meeting with Sandra, a brokenhearted woman on a spiritual journey. I was making a run to pick up some items for my son and daughter-in-love after they just had a baby.  I pulled into a parking space along the right side of a nondescript sedan.  The … Read more

Don’t Pray for Patience

I hear it all the time, “Pray for patience.”  Some people even recommend purposefully practicing the act of waiting to help develop patience.  I don’t know about you, but there is a major disconnect for me with this philosophy.  Instead, the only thing I find that I wait for is patience itself! If you are … Read more

LINDA FAITH

I am overcome with conviction for my continued lack of faith.  A dear friend’s father had a major heart attack last week and has possibly suffered brain damage.  He is not spiritually saved; in Christian terms that means he doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus.  Knowing my friend’s passion for The Lord, I know this … Read more