My overly-active imagination can spin a dream faster than I can blink. And it’s beautiful – oh, yes, it’s dazzling in all its rosy hues and silver edges. And before I know it, I’ve settled my heart on it, and my mind has spent ten minutes carrying it out and analyzing all of its facets.… Continue reading Do I Want My Fairy-Tale Dreams More than God?
For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of directing an after-school Theater Club at our school. There are usually around 25 fourth- through sixth-graders who sign up for it – some of whom have done theater before, but most of whom have not. However, I have the same expectations for them that I… Continue reading Why We Need to Be Okay with Letting Our Kids Fail
I have never desired to be ordinary. From the time I was very small, I always wanted to be “different” because to me that was better than being mainstream, blasé, everyday hum-drum. I didn’t like things that were popular and trendy because to me, they seemed to be one-dimensional and short-lived. I wanted things that… Continue reading The Possibility of Being Ordinary
Recently I’ve been memorizing Psalm 25, and as the verses have tumbled over my lips and into my heart, one phrase has resonated again and again: “Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in His ways.” (verse 8, emphasis added) I am so quick to assume that I have to have it… Continue reading How He Instructs this Sinner’s Heart
There is a current trend that I see happening through social media, and it is deeply disturbing to me. It’s this trend of “self-love.” I’ve seen it through Instagram pictures with the “Self-Love Sunday” hashtag. I’ve seen it through quotes on Pinterest. I’ve seen it in Facebook posts from people I respect and love dearly.… Continue reading The Dangerous Lie of Self-Love
You who don’t have “someone” on Valentine’s Day – There’s another “someone” out there who doesn’t either. You who think you are forgotten – you are not. You are remembered. You who try to mask your pain with laughter and jokes – It is real, and I understand. You who feel the… Continue reading To You Who Are Lonely
We live in an era that tries to make kids grow up too quickly – that tries to make them give up their innocence and childhood enjoyments far too early. And I teach the age where the tension between childhood and growing up is just beginning. And I can see them – torn between wanting… Continue reading For Today, Let Them Be Eleven Years Old
I don’t remember where I first heard the term “functional extrovert,” but as soon as I did, I knew it defined me. I’ve always known I was an introvert, but due to the highly social nature of all of my jobs, it has been necessary to learn how to function as an extrovert – and… Continue reading Three Reasons Why a Functional Extrovert Needs to Spend Time Alone
When I was younger, I was so excited to go on this mysterious thing called a “date.” I imagined dressing up beforehand, the gentleman coming to the door with flowers, and then going to a nice restaurant for dinner which he, of course, paid for. Isn’t that what a date is? And then I grew… Continue reading Dear Gentlemen: Please Stop Being Ambiguous and Call a Date a Date
Once upon a time there was a little girl who loved to be liked – or more truthfully, loved to be loved. She loved to think that she was meaningful and important to those around her – she loved to feed off of their affirmations and compliments. As this little girl got older, this infatuation… Continue reading When the Well-Liked Little Girl Turned into a Monster
The Vintage Girl 