Jesus, Coffee, and Naps

August is a month of friendships. Students return to school forming new friendships and renewing others.  Today, August 15, 2019, is my friend Nicki’s fortieth birthday. Our friendship spans over a decade of hills and valleys, all of which God has shown Himself faithful. In honor of our friendship, here is a list of my fifteen favorite quotes on friendship. 15 Quotes on Friendship A friend is someone who knows all about you & still loves you. Elbert Hubbard True friends are f

Today, Rachel missed the bus. Because it is picture day, I offered to drive her to school.  Visibly relieved, she sighed and her shoulders relaxed.  As I pulled out of the driveway, Rachel chattered about being caught up in the bus traffic, late to school, and possibly sent to the principle’s office. I sipped the dark brew of liquid mercy and smiled to myself. She did not know I was taking her on a different route. Dropping her off at the front of the school would require me

[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” text_font=”Georgia||||”] “The friend who loves their neighbor well in trial will continue to come alongside after the initial hardship is over”—Sara Beckham, Alongside Most of us have experienced the desire to help someone during a time of m

I sat across another zebra, and for the first time, I knew someone truly understood me. In the 1940’s Dr. Theodore Woodward coined the term “zebra” for any rare medical condition. I first shared the notion of a medical zebra in the article, Confession of a Zebra.  Until this moment, I had never met someone who shares my same rare illness. The eyes of this woman, who understood me, penetrated my desert heart and helped me find strength in God. Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis af

Thinking I should visit soon, a verse I’ve been studying resurfaces, “Go in this strength you have” (Judges 6:14). Southern hospitality dictates, I deliver a meal, but I’m not up for cooking these days. My mind replays my mother’s mantra, “April Dawn, sometimes you gotta make due with what you have until you can do better.” Don’t overlook the greatest gift you have, the gift of yourself. Click To Tweet Armed with a pair of scissors and a canning jar, I take inventory of my ba

February 29, 2016. Does today’s date appear odd to you? It’s leap year! Today is a bonus day. I have an exceptional gift for you on this extraordinary day.  Writer, singer, and friend Sonia Hancock speaks from place of humble authenticity. Today she shares a special word of encouragement for those facing a great trial. She shared this with me last week and it was too good to keep to myself. I pray this reaches the tender marrow of your heart as it did mine. ~April Faith Sifte

“Lord, give me the courage of Joshua and Caleb to enter the gates of Ridgecrest and send me a Rahab, a welcoming friend inside the gate. Amen.” It’s not every day I pray for a Rahab, but that was my prayer for the weeks prior to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.  Rahab was a brave woman whose occupation has been translated as an innkeeper while other translations identify her as a prostitute. Regardless of her occupation, Rahab befriended, aided, and prov