I remember the first time I decided to really listen. Seven years ago. It started with some podcasts I had been hearing. Then I read a couple of books. And one day, I got brave. I reached out to my second cousin and asked if we could chat sometime. He is about my age but we hadn’t talked since we were kids. We were living in two different worlds. I was a sold out for Jesus kind of Christian. He... Read more
So let me get this straight? Anything you do before marriage is a sin? Anything you do after marriage (with your spouse) is pure? Can we just take a minute and think about all of this? No, like… really think about it. Why am I bringing this up? What made me ponder this on a Tuesday morning? Well, my mind went back to a bible study I was in years ago. Many, many years ago. I was a young momma.... Read more
Oh God, You know me. You formed me. I am your creation. Made in your image. And sometimes I just can’t deal. You know this. There are days when I don’t like anything or anyone. Times when I just want to crawl back in bed. Or under a table. Under a table is nice. A place where I feel covered somehow. Sheltered from anything coming my way. Anxiety can seem to get the best of me. When it does? I... Read more
Leave the light on. Leave the door open. Words for young families to live by. Kev and I got a whole lot of things wrong in our parenting through the years. I can give you a pretty long list of what we would do differently if we could go back. But… one thing we did right? And one thing we want to pass onto our kids? Well, we just have always had an open door policy in our family. Our children... Read more
Currently sitting up in my bed overlooking the resort pool in Las Vegas. Last day here. Time is so messed up in my head. The three hour difference has caught up. Just when we are ready to head home. So I sit here. Contemplating life, Like ya do. Shin splints from walking so much. In the last four days, we’ve seen it all. And the thoughts turn over and over in my head. What is this all about? What are... Read more
People say I am brave. It is ironic. Me, brave? How does anyone even become “brave”? What does it take to make a person courageous? It’s all about the hard stuff. Life happens. And it pushes some of us over the edge. For me? Anxiety and depression. Back in the old days. The 1900’s. Before it was ever really talked about. I kept telling my doctor I was having a heart attack. I for real know I’m dying. He ran... Read more
Do what I say, not what I do. I’m sad this Sunday morning. Sitting in a hotel, watching a pastor on TV. He’s preaching on giving. The importance of giving even when you don’t have it to give. Telling people how he used to borrow the money in order to give. Asking for a $1000.00 seed. Now, I have no idea who this guy is or what church this is. It seems big. Has to be, right? Television worthy. The... Read more
Here comes Friday. With all it’s going to bring. I’m sure new mercies are part of it. Yes, God? Because I’m gonna need them. I wrote a post about God being in the schools yesterday. Then proceeded to walk into our school with my held high. Well, that is, until a couple of young ladies told me they wished they had the sub from the day before. Wait, what? I’m the favorite sub. I’m the nice one. “He was so... Read more
I work in a public school. A high school. A pretty big one. In the middle of a pretty big city. Just a substitute teacher. Oh, and a cheer coach. I see it all. The days can be long. Some classes are tough. But I see beauty ever day. I see kids help other kids. And teachers who give their all. I watch kids grow up into some fine young adults. Students who were my worst nightmare as freshmen? Becoming... Read more
Toxic. I’ve been worrying for the past several years about the toxins in our environment. In our food. In our products. In our soil. In our everything. Except… In our faith. Toxic beliefs that lead to nothing but fear. Well, maybe not just fear. How about being manipulated? Or maybe controlled? Shamed. Abused. I could go on. Being taught. And then teaching. Try to be pure. But you are wretched. But try anyway. Submit to your authority. But they are... Read more
Karen Ruth Shock
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