I drank coffee with a friend this morning–a precious older sister with an incredible testimony of God’s grace and a life to back it up. She only has ten years on me, but she has six beautiful grandkids and has visited over 20 countries. A few years ago, she moved halfway across the states to […]
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Judging Motive
Laughing with her husband arm-in-arm, she seemed to waltz across the floor, red heels and curled highlights. Who wears that to the doctor’s office, let alone exudes such boisterous distraction? [I bet she takes a hundred selfies a week and spends more money on jewelry and manicures a month than I have in the last decade. Doesn’t she….
Teary Green-Eyed: Why Doesn’t My Story Look Like That?
I was listening to a popular podcast by Jeff and Beth McCord on parenting, and at the end of the session, Jeff referenced some books by people he respects that have helped give insight into parenting. And one name grabbed me. Oh my word, I know that name! They used to attend our church. They’ve […]
Don’t Tell Me Lies, Sweet Little Lies
A few friends in my circle have remained what I will term tier-two friends. Although we are more than acquaintances, they’ve never made it to the third level because–quite honestly–they barely share any of their heart. Despite my attempts, there’s no vulnerability or soul connection. As a person who hates small talk–talk about exhausting–I used […]
Sold
Fourteen-year-old Aria had a fight with her mother. Frustrated and angry, she packed a backpack and walked to the nearest train station under the cover of darkness. While there, she encountered a couple of men who tricked her and took her to the red-light district–predator over prey. Once her phone and ID were taken and […]
Close Calls: The Fragile Life
A few days ago I was tending to our family garden, weeding and watering, and I noticed two things. The new shoots of plant life–the kind that actually produce fruit for the body–were easily destroyed. And yet,
Yes, Fathers Matter
I grew up during the era of dumb-father shows: Step by Step, Home Improvement, and later, Everybody Loves Raymond. Although other shows like Full House featured a motherless home, it took three quirky men to take the place of raising the daughters. Most of the time, the dads were seen as ignorant and lost–hopeless cavemen. […]
Hi, I’m Kimberly and I’m black
Kathleen Kelly mocks: “Hi, my name’s Joe. As if you were one of the stupid 22-year-old girls with no last name. ‘Hi, I’m Kimberly.’ ‘Hi, I’m Janice.’ Don’t they know you’re supposed to have a last name. It’s like they’re an entire generation of cocktail waitresses.”Joe Fox: Look. I am not a 22-year-old cocktail waitress.Kathleen: […]
Useless or Useful
Back in the 90’s, when my dad was pastoring, our church often did dramas to illustrate a message. One script we acted out involved Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus talks about His followers being the salt and light of the world. Each “character” had a light (a lantern of some type) that they carried with them. […]
The Path of my Scars: Disappointment to Hope
Twenty-six years ago, I found myself in the ER with a ruptured appendix, which is scary in and of itself. But what was more alarming was that the ER doctor didn’t know that my appendix had ruptured. He wanted to send me home. He didn’t know why I was screaming in pain (even speculated that […]