Too often, I find myself acting out of fear. I make decisions based on what I think will please others, afraid of criticism. I say yes to requests that make me uncomfortable or don’t seem like my best yes because I’m afraid of rejection if I say no. I refrain from sharing my dreams and…
I’m a teacher at heart, but I didn’t stand in front of a classroom until I was forty-five years old. I’m also a confirmed introvert whose lifelong policy has been to keep quiet, shrink into the background, and observe but not be observed. This is why I so vividly remember the day—the moment—I stood in…
I have a peace lily that has moved with our family across the United States a few times. Lately, the leaves have turned brown, and I’ve had to water more often. The peace lily is known for its low-maintenance classification and its ability to purify the air. Even its pruning process is low-maintenance—just simple deadheading….
I love a fresh start! It’s like a personal and spiritual reset for my life. As we enter 2021, I am pondering my personal goals for this upcoming year. What about you? The apostle Paul understood the importance of a spiritual reset. He was a persecutor of Christians before he became a follower of Jesus….
For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12 ESV) I winced. Here comes the needle. I’d already been poked earlier that day, and the phlebotomist had had trouble finding…
He wasn’t ready for it, my sweet husband. We’d just had a check-in with our counselor the day before, and all seemed well. All was well, really. I hadn’t knowingly concealed anything, but crashing in. The weight of weeks and months of comparison and feeling inadequate had literally brought me to my knees on the…