On our drive down to Gatlinburg last Friday the license plate on a little red car in the next lane caught my eye. It read “FNLY HPY”. As we accelerated past, I glanced over at the driver; a sixty-something woman with shortly-cropped gray hair and dark-rimmed rectangular glasses. For some reason I expected the owner…
Tag: peace
Queen Angetifah
One of my friends used to call me a 40 year old black woman (I was 25) because I wore big hoop earrings and drove around in my Mitsubishi Galant grooving to Al Green and Johnny Taylor and Curtis Mayfield (sorry, just reminiscing here). I loved the music. I still do but I mostly listen…
Life and Laundry in Glen Allen
Something I have been terrified of for most of my adult life has become a reality. I’m married and parenting in the suburbs. Please send help. I grew up in the suburbs of Northern Virginia, and I hated it. Everyone seemed to live life on repeat: work, school, homework, tv, wash the cars, mow the…
My God Story
Guys. I have NEVER had it all together. Not before I was a Christian, and not since becoming one. I fall short every day. But if God can take the mess I was, the girl who thought she had zero value, then he can do the same for you. The amazing thing is, he longs…
I like Big Buts and I Cannot Lie
What situation seems impossible right now? Where do you feel helpless? I have good news. If you belong to Jesus, there is always, always, always hope. We have a God who is present and powerful. Things may not look good right now, but God is in control; working all things together for the good of…
Contentment
Last night, gathered around our couch and enjoying country-style donuts and a delicious Meritage from New Kent Winery, a small but awesome group of friends read through the book of James. There is such a sweetness in simple fellowship. Food, friends, God’s word and good conversation. It was an anchor in a week where I’ve…
10 Ways to Love Well
1. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with. 2. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with. 3. Treat EVERY person as if they have value and dignity. Including the ones you disagree with. Ok, Try and guess…
Fluff and other Nopes
There are lots of have-to’s in life. For instance, Ben goes to work every morning because we enjoy having a house to sleep in every night. And if I don’t do laundry, we will be the stinky family no one wants to hang out with. Yes, there are lots of have-to’s. The good thing is…
All I wanna do is Zooma Zoom Zoom Zoom
One day this will all be a strange memory. As I took my afternoon walk today (alone, obviously) I passed people working in their gardens, riding bikes, and sitting on their porches, just enjoying the sunshine. Simple pleasures. I thought of how I’ve been more patient with A in the mornings because we’re not rushing…
Quail Burgers
When the ancient Israelites were wandering around in the desert for, oh, about forty years, they began to complain and say that they missed the good food they’d had back in Egypt. They conveniently forgot they’d been slaves and how great it had been building pyramids every day one brick at a time. God…
Living Well 