R.M. Snider's Blog, page 3

The power of “I forgive you”

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The words “I forgive you” are the most moving and healing words you could ever speak.

When someone hurts you, they break your relationship. Sometimes it’s merely a crack and you quickly utter the words, “I forgive you,” and all is made right.

But sometimes the break is more substantial. Foundations crumble. The earth falls out beneath you both and thrusts you in opposite directions as though an earthquake has struck. A canyon is suddenly created, uncrossable, unreachable,...

A lap and 20 minutes

Yesterday, my boys both had awards ceremonies at their school. My middle son’s was first. He beamed with pride as his principal called him on stage to get his Library Award (proud writer-mom moment). Then, a few minutes later, he received an award for all A’s and B’s. I was proud of him, no doubt, but as I watched and listened something terrible became evident to me.

All the kids were sitting on the floor in the cafeteria, watching as classmate after classmate got called to stage to accept th...

Picking the right book for you

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Unsplash.com image by Jarred Craig

I would love some feedback on this.

I’m honored that non-Christians have taken the time to read my novels, which are clearly written with a Christian worldview. It is my hope that those who do find the stories entertaining and, hopefully, challenging to their own Jesus-free worldview.

However, I am awestruck (for all the wrong reasons) by something that’s happening.

Lately (although it’s probably been going on since the dawn of ages), I’ve seen it happen th...

Why I left church today…

I love my church congregation. Many of my favorite people on earth are there every Sunday. They’re my friends. My brothers and sisters in Christ. My people.

But, today, I walked out.

Sometimes depression- or mental illness in general- hits at the oddest times. For me, today, it’s while sitting in church, worshiping God.

I suspect there’s a connection (for me) to worshiping God in the presence of other believers and getting that punch-to-the-gut-feeling of depression as it settles down in my l...

The Dreamer

Some people love those online personality tests. They want to know if they’re an INFJ or a 5 on the enneagram. They even Google “online personality tests” to see what new and exciting tests are out there.

I’m one of those people. When I say to my husband, “Hey, I just took this cool online test and you should totally take it,” he looks at me like I’ve suggested he gets a colonoscopy just for the fun of it.

Ok. It’s cool. I know boring personality tests aren’t exciting enough for you, you sang...

Even when death… thank God

Today is the anniversary of two very terrible events. Jesus’ death and the Oklahoma City bombing.

I remember the bombing well. I was twelve and lived in Oklahoma, two hours south of our state’s capital. The awful news that day was shocking, saddening. Why God, I wondered?

And, as I remember that today, about two thousand years ago, Jesus went up on that cross, I am once again left wondering why God?

168 innocent people, including 19 children, died in an explosion because two sinful men decided...

Who is Ben Hunter? Discovering the inspiration for Nate Hawthorn

So, if you’ve read all four books in The River Series, you know who Nate Hawthorn is. If you haven’t read the books then, take heart- this is not a spoiler alert of, perhaps, the biggest twist in the entire series.

So, who is Nate Hawthorn? In short, he’s a fictional overnight radio host. But I won’t say more than that.

Now, long before I’d ever discovered Ben Hunter, I knew Nate would have to work in radio in some form or fashion. But as soon as I first read about Ben, I knew that this maver...

Life to the fullest

I’m sitting here at the park watching one of my sons play while my other two kids are occupied elsewhere There’s a hefty group of teenagers here, more than would be expected at a playground.

But they’re not causing trouble. Just enjoying being teens, embracing the sunny weather and that blurry line between childhood and adulthood.

I’m watching a pair of them as they play hide-and-seek with friends. In their hiding place, they steal a smooch and a hug before a girl runs around the corner and h...

Living the dream

In case there was any question, let me just set things straight: God gave me the perfect husband.

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No, Kent’s not perfect. I could fill a book with all the ways he’s failed. But, God couldn’t have given me a husband more perfectly made to complement me in every way than He did when He gave me Kent.

Here’s one out of innumerable examples to prove my point.

Last night, Kent and I took a walk under the stars. We talked about a lot of things- but mostly his job. Changes within his company prompte...

Making room for God…

[image error]I have this habit of filling my schedule with five million things and then, right before I dive into my day, I pause for a brief moment to ask God, “But what do You what me to do?” As if I’ve left room for Him to interject His thoughts…

The great thing that’s been happening lately is that His responses have brought me loads of peace.

Like yesterday, I was thinking, “Ok, I’ve got to spend all morning running back and forth between schools, going to parent-teacher conferences. Geez. I’d really...