A couple of months ago, I had a conversation about my book with a former professor, a writing mentor. We were trying to get at the heart of this story I’m trying to tell in my memoir. Yes, it’s about prayer and losing it and finding it again in an entirely new, hope-giving way. But what’s underneath that? Why did prayer become something I was so afraid of? My former professor asked me this question on the phone: “Micha, what was—what is—the psychological enemy in … [Read more...]
One Good Phrase: Tamara Hill Murphy (You trust God to keep you safe at night, but you still lock the doors.)
February 20, 2013 By 10 Comments
I knew of Tamara Hill Murphy because I'd come across her blog once or twice. That was before I moved to Austin the same week she did, before we met in the same church on a Sunday morning, before I realized her humor or her wisdom or her willingness to think deep on the hard things and laugh about about the surface ones. I'm grateful we got to live near each other for a season. And I'm grateful to share her with you. (PS Add her blog to your blogroll, okay?) One good phrase quip: You … [Read more...]
Thankful Tuesday: Ring-bearers and the rest
October 16, 2012 By 8 Comments
Can we just start by saying that I love dressing my boys up in bow-ties even if they complain and refuse to smile for pictures. Also, I love that August made it all the way down the aisle at cheetah-fast speed (as he would say) even though Brooksie didn't quite make it past the trees on the grassy walk before the aisle began. Will you just imagine with me the "Here comes the bride" sign the boys were supposed to carry together (an idea August gave up on and took over a few steps into their … [Read more...]
Why I’m afraid to tell you where we’re going on vacation
September 5, 2012 By 38 Comments
On September 19, Chris and I are going to Italy. Without our kids. And we’re going for ten days. There, I said it. I’ve been so afraid to tell you and there are a lot of reasons: One, I’m afraid you’ll judge me for spending money on a trip like this. (Or even having the money to go on a trip like this.) If your upbringing was anything like my husband’s, you’ll think I’m ridiculous. Why in the world would I judge you for spending money to go to one of the most beautiful places … [Read more...]
Marriage and the Easy Yoke
August 27, 2012 By 12 Comments
“Are you so pissed at your husband for making you move?” The stylist's fingers were moving quick through my hair, applying white and blue chemicals, in effort to sustain my vain pursuit of the blonde strands I grew out of 15 years ago. I’d been explaining about our coming move, how this would be my last time at the salon. “Ummmmm…” I said, looking at her reflection in the mirror. I was so caught off guard by her question. Honestly, the thought of being angry with Chris because … [Read more...]
Wherever I Send You, Whatever it Costs You
August 6, 2012 By 52 Comments
A week and a half ago, prior to my grandfather’s funeral, as I ate a large family meal in the fellowship hall of the Boyett Baptist Church (no, that’s not really its name!), I encountered a third or fourth cousin, someone I hadn’t seen since my high school years when I’m sure we talked at some Oklahoma-located family reunion. She came to greet me, reminded me of her name. Then she said: “Last time I saw you, you were going to be a missionary!” She smiled, as if to say, Wasn’t … [Read more...]
What’s saving my life this week.
July 27, 2012 By 16 Comments
This week my friend Sarah Bessey asked the question at her blog: What’s saving your life right now? Grief is a strange thing, isn’t it? It’s so deep and wild and untamable. And it wakes up whenever it wants to and leaves you with your face in your hands in the dark bedroom on the side of the bed while your kids in the other room watch a show (again). We all loved my grandfather. He was a special man. And his loss has cut me deeper than I expected it to. I guess that’s usually … [Read more...]
Poem-a-Day Friday: Farah Marklevits
June 1, 2012 By 2 Comments
Farah Marklevits is a friend of mine from Syracuse. I spent three years of graduate school in a workshop with the same five poets, who taught me as much about writing as our professors. (Ours was a special group. We actually loved each other, which never happens in MFA programs like ours.) I shared many cups of tea with Farah. Her kindness and love for knowledge always inspired me. This week, I was missing her poems and pulled out the book Three New Poets, which features three of my workshop … [Read more...]
After the trip: Thankful
November 29, 2011 By 1 Comment
There's no one with whom I would rather spend 20 hours in the car (Wednesday and Sunday combined, mind you) than my husband. Isn't it amazing that I still like him so much, especially when the back seat is full of weeping children? A sister-in-law who is willing to cut my boy's hair for me. For the courage to chop off that mop of blonde hanging in his eyes. For the shock of almost brown(!) hair underneath and the reality that my 3-year-old looks like a 5-year-old. (I'm still recovering and … [Read more...]
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