I think if I could title the past five months of my life, I could sum it all up as “Well, that did not go as planned.” In fact, 2016 has not been going quite as planned either. Maybe that’s where you are right now…feeling the need for a “do-over.” I’m talking myself through this as I talk you through … Read More
What Keeps You Up At Night?
What keeps you up at night? No, really. Be honest. What are your deepest thoughts, which your mind churns through while all else is still? Blogs and books are a dime a dozen, these days, aren’t they? Sometimes, it seems like many of these published works are meeting the needs of what is ordinary in order to help people feel … Read More
What Are You Leaving Behind?
I wailed as my mom drove the two of us through the Montreat Gate. “I don’t want to go through that gate without Mimi on the other side!” I moaned between breathless sobs. “I know, baby. I don’t either. But we can do this,” Mama replied. We had joined my uncle and cousin to form a circle of earthly witnesses … Read More
Wonderful Counselor
Do you ever choose a word for your new year? It’s usually a word that summarizes what you hope to be the over all tone of your coming 365 days. My word for 2015 was: Intentional. One thing I chose to be intentional about for these past twelve months was reaping the benefits of counseling. I was in an intense … Read More
What to Do When Even Christmas Offends You
Last Christmas, I was a mess. Four months prior, I lost my first child- a miracle child- to miscarriage. My world stopped spinning for a while and so much offended me. Things that were part of my regular rhythms weren’t cutting it for my broken heart. Going to church didn’t feel safe for me, but I went anyway. I was surrounded by … Read More
More Than Stumps
I was burning hot mad. Someone had invaded my territory off my watch and massacred my yard along with the symbols of Spring’s hope that my fragile soul was clinging to. And the invasion came within inches of my child’s grave. The day before was supposed to be our due date. My husband and I had withdrawn to a quiet … Read More
Why Every Story Matters
Often, we get frustrated because of how long it’s taking our story to unfold. Or maybe, we secretly think how insignificant our story seems compared to other people’s stories. When I wait in transient seasons, wondering what’s next and if I’m even leaving a scratch on the etchings of this world’s story, I get caught wondering the same things. I … Read More
3 Things You Need to Know About Waiting
1. The outcome you are expectantly waiting for is already known by God. It might be hard to breathe as you wait to learn about what is next and what this means for the shape of your life. But for better of worse, God already knows what you need and is equipping you even while you wait to be strengthened … Read More
Make Room For Margin
Do you ever have days or weeks where you look at your life’s pages and there seems to be so much written on there that few coherent thoughts seem present because the jottings are just running off the page? When I was in Elementary School, I remember my teachers specifically telling us to write within the margins. They marked our … Read More
Who’s On Your Production Crew?
When I was growing up, my grandparents did their very best to make it to all of my birthday parties. I don’t know that they made it to all of them, but I remember them at most of my special events. My Granddaddy travelled the world, spreading the Gospel, with Dr. Billy Graham, serving as his right hand man and … Read More