Faith and Resilience | Dr.TomWagner

Dr. Tom has been sharing refreshing, insightful essays on his Sunday Morning Café blog since 2009. Each Sunday, he brings his extensive experience from resilience research, counseling, and consulting to help you find more connection, meaning, and joy in life. We're so glad you're here to grow with this community!

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“I Shall Die, but That Is All I Shall Do for Death”: The Sequel

Could years of small surrender prepare you for the hardest letting go? This reflection explores Mary’s story of illness, recovery, contemplative prayer, and the kind of peace that does not arrive by accident.

Dr. Tom Wagner

May 3112 min read

Starry night sky with the Milky Way over a calm ocean. Deep blue and purple hues create a serene atmosphere. No visible text.

Unbroken: Part Three

How does someone heal after experiencing profound trauma? This article explores the deeper, resilient, and even sacred part of the human spirit that suffering cannot destroy.

Dr. Tom Wagner

May 39 min read

Young green plant growing through cracked dry ground, bathed in soft sunlight. Symbol of resilience and hope against a blurred dark background.with his wife Dr. Lisa Moscoso seated at a table with flowers and food on their wedding day

Meaning and Purpose: The Foundations of Resilience

You may not be able to avoid the stress in front of you—but you can reconnect with what anchors you. This reflection explores how purpose and meaning help you meet challenges with steadiness.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Apr 123 min read

Man stands on a cliff edge, gazing at a gap. Clear sky and distant mountains in the background, conveying contemplation.

Mind the Gap

What would it mean to “love the one you’re with”—when that one is you, just as you are? This reflection explores that invitation.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Mar 296 min read

Brick chimney covered in snow peeks above a sloped, snow-laden roof. Overcast sky sets a cold, serene mood.

When Snow on the Roof Means Fire in the Belly

As the years go on, something in you will either settle…or awaken. This reflection explores the choice between comfort and contribution.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Mar 226 min read

Red barn with a green tank sits under a vibrant pink and purple sunset, with open fields in the background, evoking a serene mood.

Living in Memory of the Mountaintops

We may not always live on the mountaintop, but we can live in memory of it. This article explores how, even though moments of awe fade, we can intentionally remember them and let them guide how we see life and people.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Mar 88 min read

In Praise of the Good Enough

There is something to be said for the good enough marriage—where flaws, over time, are slowly turned into gifts. This reflection explores commitment, growth, and shared purpose.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jan 186 min read

Sunlight streams through vibrant red, blue, and yellow stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the floor, creating a warm ambiance.

Practicing Presence

Winter has a way of revealing what has been growing underground all along. Read on for a reflection on resilience, presence, and healing through Presence.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Jan 45 min read

Hands clasped in prayer on a closed book beside a lit candle, creating a warm, calm atmosphere against a dark background.

Fire

“Fire” was once a cry for safety. Now, it’s the spark of a calling. This reflection follows the transformation of one woman’s fear into fierce compassion.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Oct 19, 20255 min read

August 28, 1963 Civil rights march in Washington, D.C. Crowd marches holding signs demanding civil rights, jobs, and voting rights. Men and women, dressed formally, appear determined.

Bending the Universe

What happens when love seems unlikely to prevail in fractured times like these? This reflection offers perspective—and quiet hope—from the past.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Oct 12, 20254 min read

A Prison Guard Becomes Best Friends with His Inmate

What if your quietest acts of love hold more power to change the world than you realize? This story invites you to see love as your greatest superpower.

Dr. Tom Wagner

Sep 21, 20256 min read