Not too long ago, I was driving home from a friend’s house after dinner and good conversation together. It was a warm summer evening with cool breezes coming through the open car windows, and the song “Jireh” came on the radio. And as I was singing along to the words, “I will be content in… Continue reading Contentment: Both a Gift and a Choice
Recently I let the realization sink in that I have bought into the culture’s idols of romanticism and individualism for far too long. I’ve let them become my default, along with the idol of marriage that often shows up in the church, and have encouraged and fed them by filtering my life’s story around them.… Continue reading Turning Off the Romantic Default Switch
Summers for teachers are a blessed gift. They’re a time to regain a little sanity before starting the craziness all over a couple months later. And for married teachers, it’s extra time to spend with their spouses and families. But for single teachers, the open, quiet days of summer can present torture if not managed… Continue reading A Prayer for the Summer – Embracing Ease, Form, Beauty & a Sense of the Whole
“I feel foolish,” she said, “trying to write words That others have already said – And far better than I.” “But don’t feel foolish,” He answered back. “Because your words Will become the melody of a song Someone else has longed to hear. “They will strike a chord At just the right time… Continue reading Those Foolish Words
As I took the dog for a quick walk the other day, I spent some time praying and contemplating what my focus should be for this month. And as I did so, a most frequent word in my study of 1 John came to mind: Abiding. And this was my answer – to learn to… Continue reading The Art and Practice of Abiding
This year I’ve been studying the book of 1 John. Through the various stages of Bible study and listening to a sermon series on it, my understanding has been profoundly deepened and strengthened. When I get to the meditation stage of my study, I’ve been practicing writing them out in poem form, so I thought… Continue reading The Battle is the Proof
Last summer, I wrote the following in my Writer’s Journal: “I have a voice that I’m not using – because I’m too afraid. I’m relieved when others say what I wish I had the courage to say because at least someone’s saying it. But I also wish I could speak up and take a stand… Continue reading I Have a Confession to Make
Some years I have set lofty goals in January and picked words for the year that have depth to them – and a month or two into the year, those plans have gone by the wayside. Some years, my word has stuck, and I’ve spent the year exploring and embracing it in meaningful ways. As… Continue reading How the Year of Growth Started > How It’s Going
In terms of reading, this year is off to a great start. The first book I finished, Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, inspired me in new ways to approach this year with even more intention. His thought-provoking research and practical suggestions for curating a life of value was exactly what I needed at the beginning… Continue reading A Book Review of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
I saw something that someone posted on social media that said, “Even if 2021 doesn’t change, I can still change” – and I loved it. Everyone was so eager for 2020 to be gone – so sure that this new year would be way better than the last. But we have to be realistic about… Continue reading 2021: A Year of Growth
