Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Colleen Swindoll Thompson holds a bachelor of arts degree in Communication from Trinity International University as well as minors in psychology and education. Colleen serves as the director of Reframing Ministries at Insight for Living Ministries. From the personal challenges of raising a child with disabilities (her son Jonathan), Colleen offers help, hope, and a good dose of humour through speaking, writing, and counselling those affected by disability. Colleen and her husband, Toban, have five children and reside in Frisco, Texas.

Challenges of Siblings

Posted on 9th January 201710th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Most Commonly Reported Challenges of Siblings of Special-Needs Children Many siblings struggle when their brother or sister carries a disability. Challenges arise unexpectedly. Parents are often unsure how to provide help and guidance. The first step to helping the siblings of special-needs children involves knowing where to look for the most common challenges. Here are […]

Things I’ve Learned From Raising Kids

Posted on 9th January 201710th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

A good sense of humor is essential in life. And taking some time each day to laugh can lighten any load. Here’s some funnies for today. Things I’ve Learned from Raising Kids A king-size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2,000-square-foot home four inches deep. If you spray hairspray on dust bunnies and run […]

Things My Mother Taught Me

Posted on 9th January 201710th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

This month is dedicated to celebrating women. I realize not everyone who reads this is a woman, but you probably have at least one woman in your life—a mother, your spouse or girlfriend, or a daughter. But whether or not you’re a woman, this fun little piece made me chuckle, and I thought you would […]

It’s A Guy’s Life!

Posted on 9th January 201710th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

In a sermon about the family called “Looking Back on Things That Matter,” which aired in February 2010 as part of the Family Matters series, Chuck Swindoll read a list of great reasons for being a man. Here is a sample of that list. And speaking as a woman, I think you guys are fantastic. […]

What Do You Look For?

Posted on 9th January 201730th July 2019 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Noise can distract us from the voice of the Spirit, but God often speaks in the silence. In a rare moment recently, my house was quiet. So I chose to sit and carefully observe the room I was in, and a number of emotions flooded my soul. My daughter’s art supplies rested by her canvas […]

Seeing Above the Clouds

Posted on 29th December 201610th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Storm clouds gather. Problem is, they’re the wrong kind. We need rain desperately, but those clouds hold no rain. We need refreshment and renewal, a kind of inner relief. Like you feel when a sudden cloud cover blocks the burning rays of the sun and blows a cool breeze across the back of your neck. […]

What Does “Trusting God” Mean?

Posted on 29th December 201610th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Trust is not one of my strong suits. I could try to blame my struggle on not knowing enough trustworthy people, but I know the problem is rooted in me . . . in my desire to protect myself and in my fear of getting hurt or let down. I know that not trusting others […]

Thick Glass

Posted on 29th December 201610th November 2017 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

One of the realities of raising a neurologically disabled child is what I call “thick glass.” Thick glass is the clear yet mostly impenetrable divider between a parent’s unconditional love for his or her child and the child’s seeming total lack of response—that disheartening vacant look. Parents grieve behind thick glass, ever longing to touch […]

Changing Our Minds, Changing Our Lives

Posted on 29th December 201630th July 2019 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

The opening line of the sermon was: “What you believe about life affects everything about how you live your life.” The congregation quieted and heard once again: “What you believe about life affects everything about how you live your life.” Sometimes we believe happiness will eventually show up, or we might suppose, “If I do […]

It’s Okay

Posted on 21st December 201630th July 2019 by Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Getting stuck is a bummer. Just for a moment, let’s list a few “stucks”: Stuck in traffic Stuck on a test Stuck on a project Stuck while trying to fix something Stuck in the mud Stuck in a dead-end career Stuck in life Our minds can also get stuck in a rut of one-way thinking—the […]