She told me of a sexual action she took that she knew was probably not the smartest decision. “But YOLO,” she said. I was reminded of ROLOs, that yummy caramel center wrapped with milk chocolate. I didn’t get how ROLOs helped her to come to this unwise decision. Suddenly needing chocolate and caramel, I asked, “YOLO?” “Yeah. . . You…
I’m standing in my yard, trying to figure out where to put a fire pit. I’ve walked the perimeter, surveyed the land, and I think I want it over by the fence, just beyond the shade of the pine tree. We probably won’t camp this summer, but if we can eat outside and cook some marshmallows over a fire, it…
Proverbs 31:15 has become a conundrum to me. The wife of noble character “. . . provides food for her family. . .” Wait. My Christian upbringing told me I needed a husband to be a provider—that’s not what a wife is supposed to do! Maybe the NIV is just getting it wrong, so I search other versions. . .…
I almost joined a sorority in college. I participated in “rush” in order to meet people, and then I dropped out right before pledging. I even received a “pref-bid” from a sorority, asking me to reconsider pledging. But I didn’t join, and I never looked back. But now, I’m part of an amazing sisterhood. We write. We share. We advise.…
My story of relationship failure is about to be published in the book Everbloom: Stories of Deeply Rooted and Transformed Lives. I’m honestly not sure how I feel about it. Everbloom is a book containing the personal stories of female authors who form the group Redbud Writers Guild. It will be released on April 25. But, as a preview, Redbud has published an…
“When I was a kid, I impressed the neighborhood boys with my ability to lift cinderblocks, climb trees, and run fast; I was strong. But when I played dolls, house, or school with the girls, it was never about demonstrating strength. Strength was domination, force, or power, not cooperation, design, or instruction. So I became a strong woman as defined…
Tuesday morning, I had the fantastic opportunity to chat with Nyack College Alumnus, Zachariah Hummer and Ryan Baker, both dedicated youth ministers. They encourage youth ministers to not solely look at their jobs as stepping stones to be a “real” pastor later, but to invest in youth with all their hearts. They are really funny and relevant to many–I laughed…
It’s February 2nd, but it’s NOT Groundhog Day. It’s 40 days after Christmas, and though we’re looking around and wondering how much longer this winter will last, it’s NOT Groundhog Day. It’s February 2nd, 40 days after Christmas, and it’s the Feast of the Presentation, when we celebrate the day Jesus was presented in the temple (Luke 2:22-40). It’s a day to…
It was a cold early morning in 1993 when I got on the bus leaving my college campus. I was excited. I had paid money to go on this trip, and we were about to March for Life, as so many did yesterday. We filled that coach bus for what we thought was a really good and clear-cut cause and…
On the first day of classes, I taught on memory—why it’s important and what it does to us and for us. Lately, I feel like I can’t remember anything—lack of sleep with a three-month-old and a toddler will do that to you. But I was reminded of the transformative power of my ten-year journal. It changes me, even when my…