This is motherhood in its simplest, most beautiful form. And it is something each of us can give, even in our most exhausted and depleted moments…

My mother was the queen of tradition-making. She worked to keep the main Gift of Christmas the main gift of our attention. But in all the activities, she recognized the simple power of connection.

“Mom, what is Thanksgiving?” His question came from the backseat. I can’t recall what, exactly, I was talking about. But that word caught his attention. His question caught my own. And I didn’t know whether or not to be upset.

It was not exactly our smartest parenting moment. We had thought it a brilliant idea, only moments later to realize we had set a trap for ourselves…

Here’s the story in interview form behind the 936 Pennies book. The very real struggles, my dry season of doubt, and the very specific ways God brought this all to be.

He brought up his idea four more times within the hour, and the final time I lost my patience. “Zeke, I said we would do it. You can stop talking about it now.” And that was that. For a week.