It’s been a tiring year of significant loss. Loss of life. Loss of “regular life”—family, friends, work, school, and more I find I need to do something to recognize this loss and grief as life opens up to a “new normal.” A ritual. An embodiment. Something by myself or with others that helps recognize, externalize, move forward. I wrote what…
It was two weeks after my second Pfizer shot. So, to honor the end of the I-must-isolate-from-everyone and my-mask-is-my-only-defense phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, I did a thing. I did a thing with friends and my husband who were also just two weeks out from their second shot. First, we hugged. I’ve had millions of hugs from those who live…
If I were to make a biblical case for women in church leadership, I would start with the stories of women in scripture. Women who acted independently of male authority. Women who did the work of God. I would tell you about Eve, the mother of the living, who was created fully in the image of God and charged to…
Some people have emotions that are steady and manageable. Some people are never knocked over by their emotions. NOT ME. I’ve always had BIG emotions. And not in a bad way—I love a lot, so that brings BIG pain. Sometimes the pain comes when I lose someone, and sometimes it’s just because they are in pain. I feel things. Patriarchy…
COVID, you thief! You robbed me and I’m mad. I tell myself to be grateful because I still have a job. Grateful my family is safe and healthy. Grateful for so much. . . And I AM grateful. I recognize my privilege. But the grateful feelings don’t cancel out the anger. I AM grateful. At the same time, I am…
Many of you know that for the first 8.5 weeks of the pandemic, my husband and I were separated. We lost his dad and he went to Syria to grieve. No one could have predicted border and airport closures. He returned to us one month ago. . The challenges of those weeks were innumerable. I focused on my job and…
Today, I’m raising my voice for black lives—here is why I haven’t before and why I do now. Let’s start with personality. Some students think I’m an enneagram 8, the Challenger. I’m not. I’m a 1, the Reformer (I prefer “Reformer” to “Perfectionist” because I like to deny my ugly truth). Since I’m a strong, bold, teacher, my students think…
“No one who walks down the aisle hopes to divorce in the future. But statistically many American marriages end in divorce. While divorce may be a relief, it is also filled with pain and questions. We need to pastor divorced people in a way that ensures they find peace with God and other Christians. Besides counsel and other help, we…
I grew up on kids’ Bible songs. I walked and lept around the living room as we sang about the healing of the lame man. I hit hits my fists together to show how “The Wise man Built his House” and I joined my hands over my head to show that “His Banner over me is love.” Even today, my…
I’m an enneagram 1 wing 2 and social media is toxic to me. I have long poked fun at those those enneagram-cult-people. . . But a couple of them have gotten me hooked (you know who you are). I’m a 1 wing 2 and social media is toxic for me. Besides being self-critical (as noted in this post) I am…