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 My husband and I had withdrawn to a quiet … Read More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

The Weight in Front of Your Reflection

I hardly know where to begin. I guess I’ll start with my bathroom mirror. I have a bad habit of forgetting to clean it. Tooth paste, makeup dust, and dried on water splashes are what I dodge when I try to see my reflection before heading out to tackle the world. And right in the middle of the top of … Read More

When Your World Splits Wide Open

Writing a book about how you’ve survived the process that caused your world to crumble down as it smashed your heart is not an easy feat emotionally. It’s like you’re reliving many of the horrors that you first experienced. And when you’re in the midst of this mindset, vulnerably writing through the story you own you examine how it is … Read More