We talk a lot about kindness in our house. Just last night, my oldest son and I took bowls of taco soup upstairs to my office (also known as the music room and the guest room and the quiet room). Together, we sat on the couch, mostly in silence. We let ourselves calm down, because both of us hadn’t been our kindest selves, not to each other and not to the rest of the family. After all, being part of... Read more
I did it again the other day: I judged a book by its cover. I looked at the stack of books (which actually happened to be a room full of humans), and I judged said books by their covers. I believed I knew the words written inside, the myriad make-up of sentences and periods and entire paragraphs contained within its many pages. I imagined a singular message present within the message of their books, messages related to worldview and political... Read more
As I sit down to write today, I can’t help but notice the quiet that surrounds me. The boys are at school, the husband is at work. None of the conveniences that keep our house running, like the dishwasher, the dryer or the washing machine, are whirling right now. The television’s not on, a podcast’s not streaming in the background. My seven-year old isn’t trying to perfect his Ninjago kick, punch and twirl combination, and my five-year old isn’t singing... Read more
Perhaps like you, my personality has often been marked by joy. When I was in high school – thick in the trenches of Evangelical subculture, thanks to the influence of youth groups and Young Life alike – I believed the Christian life marked by joy. If God really did send his only son to die on the cross for me so I could hang out in heaven forever, then why wouldn’t every part of my joy-filled life be defined by cream-colored... Read more
When my boys went back to school a couple of weeks ago, my excitement was palpable. The hype that naturally comes with launching a book into this world had finally died down, and although I had a couple of projects and events on the horizon, for the most part, the slate was blank. But if I’m honest with you, the slate was equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. What I want is to sit in front of that blank screen or... Read more
Yesterday afternoon, the boys and I sat in a circle on the living room floor. They’d been fighting over a Batman LEGO figure, but when a couple of grabs and tears and screams rendered them still unable to come to a resolution, Mama the Referee stepped in to blow her whistle. And blow my whistle I did, in a Mary and Martha sort of way – because for whatever reason, a single phrase kept running on repeat in my mind:... Read more
Oh friends, have I got a TREAT for you today. I’m only a couple of chapters into her book, but Mihee Kim-Kort’s newest release, Outside the Lines, is perfect for learning to color outside the lines. You’ll simultaneously feel challenged and encouraged by her wise and winsome writing and storytelling abilities …and if you’re anything like me, you WILL start to wonder how embracing queerness will transform your faith. Enjoy this interview with Mihee! — Tell us a bit about yourself, will you? My... Read more
When I was a little girl, I thought all my teachers lived in their classrooms. I remember peeking around the side of the coat closet to see if I could find their bedroom, the space they went to at the end of the school day to rest and relax so they could become my teacher again in the morning. When I was a little girl, I thought everyone went to church. Because church was what we did – and because... Read more
Oh friends, today’s author is not only one of my favorite humans on the Internet, but she writes about a subject we ALL need to lean into more. The truth is that even in this age of (supposed) connectivity, many of us feel lonely, isolated and discouraged …but that doesn’t mean we can’t be the first to extend the invitation. I’m so grateful Leslie Verner writes about this in her new book, Invited, because it’s something all of us need... Read more
Well friends, it’s not everyday that you get to highlight ANOTHER friend: Catherine McNiel is a writer whose words I resonate deeply with. I loved her first book, Long Days of Small Things (because ain’t that the TRUTH), and am equally enamored by her second book, All Shall Be Well. So, without further adieu, might I present this interview with Catherine about her newest release, today. Enjoy! — Tell us a bit about yourself, will you? Hey everyone! My name is Catherine McNiel... Read more
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