I really struggled to give my husband birthday ideas this year. At the end of the day, if I have books to read, coffee to drink, and a couch to sit on, I’m pretty happy. (And I’m not overly picky about the couch, to be honest—the floor, a pillow, a stool, whatever; it’s a place…
In high school, I took the ACT three different times. I believe that puts me directly into the “nerd” category—with a capital “N.” When I took the test the first time, I scored a 26. However, my goal was a 27 because of a scholarship being offered by the college I wanted to attend. So…
Standing tall on my tired feet, I grinned into the candlelit mirror. There in my dark bathroom, I could feel freedom welling in me as I reflected on how the flame held close to my chest rendered the shadows behind me insignificant. Have you ever felt as though your lineage casts dark shadows behind you, shadows you cannot…
“There are two ways to look at life: what you do determines who you are, or who you are determines what you do.” My pastor spoke these words to a group of middle and high school students and their leaders who were gathered for a summer camp experience. He went on to explain that God…
I am the woman at the well. Jesus came and found me where I should not have been. Doing the things that left me empty and hollow inside, void of purpose and meaning. He found me there thirsty and desperate—crying out to be seen, celebrated, and loved, instead of trampled underfoot and forgotten. He found…