The world prefers people who fit in. There’s nothing wrong with fitting in—it’s what enables most systems to function well. But here’s the problem. Many of these societal systems, such as our schools, workplaces, and even churches, benefit only people who fit into the mold. When a child is born with Down syndrome or brown…
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24 ESV) Have you ever been in a season of waiting? I’m sure you have. We all have. My husband and I have been in a season of waiting for fourteen years. Our dream since we were married has been…
Have you ever leash-trained a dog? We’re on our third Labrador, and we haven’t successfully leash-trained one yet. Our first dog never needed it; she naturally stayed with us and behaved on walks. Our third and current dog came to us at the age of six via our son’s fraternity. He has plenty of bad…
Like much of the country, our little farm here in East Tennessee saw record-breaking cold and snow during the month of January. And even though I’m a homeschool mom, I celebrated with many of you when our activities were canceled and we were forced to stay home, hunker down, and lay low. (I must be…
“I don’t know how you do it,” a friend told me. “Church, kids, writing.” “I don’t sleep,” I said, half-joking. (We have a newborn; it’s only half a joke.) While moving fast, going quickly, and multitasking may be impressive in a world filled with content-creating and service-providing and like-share-click-tweet, they aren’t good. Running at the…
As the weekend approached, I felt myself slipping into a funk that mimicked previous bouts of depression—except I couldn’t put my finger on a cause. I was sad. I was tired. I was defeated. After spending the day conquered and unmotivated, I took note of the date. It was the anniversary of my parents’ deaths….