Resisting Despair

You know what makes me happy? Strutting around the first floor of my house in step with the Beegees. First “Stayin’ Alive”, then “Jive Talkin’”. You’re welcome for the visual. Just for added delight, picture me wearing stripy purple yoga pants and a bedazzled navy blue sweatshirt. Merry Christmas. That’s how I get my steps…

Merry Christmas, Jerks!

We are quick to put others in boxes these days. We’ve all been guilty of it. We’ve been judged and been found wanting. We’ve judged others just as mercilessly and decided they aren’t worth our energy anymore. You’ve been a jerk to people this past couple years. Unless your crowd is thoroughly tight-lipped with their…

What Book are You Reading?

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” -James 4:17 I’ve been re-reading one of my old favorites lately: All Creatures Great and Small by beloved country vet James Herriot. It’s a welcome respite from the constant barrage of bad news; a delightful retreat into…

Last Line Of Defense

When I worked in the restaurant biz we had a saying: “The last line of defense.” Basically this meant we were the last ones to see a customer’s (you can’t make me say “guest” anymore) plate before it went to the table. We were the only one standing between a great experience and a horrible…

Fear Factor: 2021 Edition

If you want to find things to be fearful of these days, you don’t have to look very far. As one friend put on Facebook, gas prices were the scariest part of Halloween this year! The world is nuts, everything is on fire, and our clothes are too tight. Just me? But seriously, it is…

Come What May

Maybe it’s the fresh air from the open window and the bright beauty of hot pink roses spilling over the neighbor’s fence. Maybe it’s the sunlight dappling the yellow and red and brown and green of fall leaves. Maybe it’s the perfect cup of coffee and the coziness of the throw blanket I’m snuggled under….

The In-Crowd

Do you know what’s fun? Waking up at 6 am on a Sunday for no good reason. Yesterday morning at Oh Dark Thirty I slipped out from under the covers and made my way downstairs. Coffee in hand, snuggled under a down comforter on the couch, I read some in Ezekiel and then found my…

Life on the Other Side of Abuse

Ben and I watched a limited series on Netflix last weekend. Maid chronicles the true story of a woman (Alex) in an abusive relationship who struggles to make a life for herself and her daughter apart from her abuser. It is thrilling when she gets away and finds a safe place. It’s heartbreaking to see…

He’s Got the Whole World..You Know the Thing..

Sometimes prayer seems futile. It’s hard to imagine things actually changing when we voice our concerns to God and ask him to fix what’s wrong. Because sometimes we’ve prayed and seen exactly zero results. That friend keeps going under with their addiction. The cancer doesn’t go away. The better job opportunity goes to someone else….

Where Do You Stand?

I don’t want any part of it. It’s not good for you, although it may appear that way for a short while. You may not feel the consequences yet, but you will. It’s going to kill you, actually. We’ve got to stop looking only at the short term, because the future ramifications will be here…