faith, family, wellness
This morning the intense Texas summer sun came through my bedroom window, and there was this resolve in me that ... it would be a good day. So with everyone in the family still asleep, I awoke first as I usually do, and whispered to our dog Summer, "C'mon girl, let's go outside so you can do … Continue reading Because Today, I Can
It feels strange to say this. But I think the church can be one of the loneliest places of all. Now I believe, to be human, is to feel to some extent, alone at times. We all experience change, loss, feelings of misplacement. Somewhere along the way, we will be intentionally or unintentionally left out, misunderstood, looked over. This … Continue reading Loneliness in the Church
Ian MacLaren, a noted Scotsman, once said these wise words of counsel, “Be kind. Everyone you meet is carrying a heavy burden.” By no means do I feel I have suffered more than others, or that I have unique insight into pain. I trust we have all walked through difficulties- an illness, injury, loss, injustice, … Continue reading Suffering Well
I love Christmas. I love lights. I love Christmas lights. But lately, with all the terror in the news, I have been overwhelmed by this reality ... that we are living in one dark world. How easy it is for me to string some lights along my fireplace, singing along to my favorite Christmas carol … Continue reading Against the Darkest of Skies
I only wanted to make some heart-shaped cookies. But that day, I walked into my daughter's preschool class with cookies that looked like blobs. I marvel at those of you who actually like to cook. I find it amazing that for some of you, baking cookies makes you happy. At times I do come up with something I'm slightly proud of - but I confess, I cook, … Continue reading We Will Burn the Cookies
Changes are on the horizon for our family. We will be moving to Texas! This was not an easy decision. In fact, it was one of those decisions you make and you immediately feel like crying afterwards. Life is going pretty well here in California. Our kids are settled, we're settled, and we have close friends and … Continue reading When God Whispers Go
Lately, I haven't been able to write. First, there's the lack of time. Then my lack of energy these days. You know, motherhood, life, and all the rest. 🙂 But the real reason is that I have been genuinely thinking about what I have the right to write about. When I started this blog, I dove … Continue reading How Not to Go Viral
My girl is brave. She runs. She climbs. She torpedoes through the kiddie pool. She rescues her dollies from dire illnesses. She picks up pincher bugs with her bare little hands. She lives life full. But every now and then, she isn't so sure. Yesterday at the park, while perched on the big kid swing, she said quietly, "Mommy, I just feel a little bit … Continue reading The Only Way to Fly Free
All my life, for better or worse, I have been quietly paralyzed by this question, “How will they see me?” When I went through a season of chronic illness, the last thing I wanted was to be seen. Here I was, a life that had been built around the approval of others, now felt out … Continue reading On Being Misunderstood
For as much I want to tie a neat bow around the concept of pain, sometimes there are no easy answers. Yes... I see the good that comes out of struggle, the way it rouses a deaf world to become more attuned to God, to each other. Certainly, pain can come from our doing, the sin of others, the effects of a fallen world. But … Continue reading Draw a Line in the Sand
invited by grace 