It seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe it was all those Dog Whisperer episodes. Maybe the hours of natural horsemanship moving horses with a carrot stick made me overconfident. Either way–it was a bad idea. A few months ago, my family adopted the sweetest border collie. She is 62 pounds of pure… Continue reading Failure Isn’t Fatal and the Times You Fall on Your Butt
I really don’t care for New Year’s Eve. There is no easy way to say that without sounding like a real downer. If New Year’s Eve could be celebrated around 7 p.m. maybe I would find it enjoyable. I don’t remember the last time I willingly saw midnight. Unless it involves a sick child, a hospital visit,… Continue reading When You Dread Change and New Year’s Eve
Life has a way of turning on you at times, doesn’t it? Out of nowhere it hits you with the unexpected and leaves you wishing you could just stop and get off the merry-go-round for a while. Unfortunately, you can’t. The world keeps spinning and everyone else keeps moving. Somehow you have to try… Continue reading Life’s Unexpected Twists and Living with the Shame of it All
I’ve been in ministry for a long time. I guess I’ve been in life a long time, too. Perhaps that makes me old, though, I prefer to call it seasoned. My husband and I have led a variety of people over the years. Most are amazing people to lead. But there is one population that… Continue reading Knocking the Chip off the Shoulder: Defeating Defensiveness
A title like this is probably a bit provocative. People always love to know other people’s business, and I especially think they love to know the pastor’s business. After over twenty years in ministry with my pastor husband, I get it. People like to know what makes him tick and what makes him different from… Continue reading Perils of a Pastor’s Wife: When You Find Yourself in a Crisis of Faith
Some days I have to take a break from social media. The news, the grapevine, the problems, and the constant opinions of others agitates me. A full diet of social media is information overload and emotions overwhelmed and can leave one vacillating between guilt, anger, and fear with the simple scroll of the mouse. As a… Continue reading A Note to My Daughters about Life and Living
Dear Time, Maybe it’s middle-age. Maybe it’s the chaotic pace of life, or maybe it’s just me, but I find myself angry with you. You loom over me, always reminding me I’ll never finish all that needs to be done. I’d like to play fair, but how can I when you care nothing for me? No matter… Continue reading My Unresolved Anger with Time
It’s easy to love people who love me. I feel so good inside when I’m with those people. Elated and strong; I’m on top of the world when I find someone who returns my love with more love. And then there is everyone else. The not-so-nice, not-so-friendly, not-so-happy, porcupine people who are just very difficult… Continue reading Loving Those Porcupine People
Last weekend I attended a women’s conference for women in ministry. We took a personality style test that revealed how others perceive you. After twenty-eight questions, I came away with the title of “The Victor” which as I already know fits this type-A, reformed control freak and perfectionist to a tee. The problem started when… Continue reading Big Girls Don’t Cry?
Dear Son, Please allow me to continue my letter to you on manhood that I started last week. I know it may still seem strange coming from your mom, but I encourage you to listen closely to the wisdom I’ve gathered from living life with a great man, growing older, and seeing how the world works.… Continue reading Mom’s Message on Manhood to her Sons, Part II
