Remember the Sabbath
Oh, the good old days.I’m not talking about a particular decade or generation. I’m talking about kindergarten. Recess was scheduled and nap time was required. Back then, I knew how awesome recess was, but nap time was the worst. We were forced to put our heads down on our desk, or lay down on our mats. Honestly, I think I only fell asleep a few times, but it was always a time of stillness and quiet (which the teacher probably enjoyed more than the students … who can blame her?) Fast forward several decades. Nobody forces us to play or
2022
As we begin a new year, I’ve been hearing more and more people approaching 2022 with cautious apprehension…myself included. If we are being honest, it feels like the last two years left us deflated. 2020 was supposed to be the fresh start of a new decade. 20/20 vision. Boundless possibilities. But just a few months into the year, a global pandemic literally stopped the world and all its plans in its tracks. And 2021 was not any easier. So how can I make the best of 2022 when I don’t know what this year holds? While I can’t control a
When Plans Change
When I began driving, I always had a printout of directions from MapQuest handy. (Anyone else out there mature enough to remember the days before GPS?) Since then, it has become a habit to spend several minutes carefully reviewing the directions to my destination. I just always want to know the steps involved to arrive there. It made me think about my approach to life. I devise a plan and review each goal repeatedly, determined to check off each box: graduate with college degrees in 5 yearsretire as a social workerlive in NY forever Well, last week I had to
I Don’t Understand
I didn’t understand.I didn’t get it. For eight years, I had worked with people that became family.We were a team. I can’t even explain the chemistry.They threw me baby showers.They wrote sweet cards for my birthday.We laughed together, we were there for each other. Then, one day, they announced that our company was being sold.We were shocked.It was quiet, and we didn’t know where to go. I came home, sat at the counter, and cried.I was supposed to give 20 years to that place. At least.But they took it away.They tore us apart. I didn’t understand.I didn’t get it. Why?It
That Prepared Me for This
I have the best team! I sincerely appreciate what every one of my coworkers brings to the table. Our most recent hire came to us with no previous pharmacy experience, BUT he had energy and a desire to learn. So we brought him on! Every day, he shows up, on time and ready to work. He’s flexible. He’s energetic. He’s efficient. He’s bilingual. (You should see the way customers’ faces light up when they hear the words, “Habla Español?”) He is also very young. (I’ve been working as a pharmacist longer than he’s been alive). After one of the most head
Struggling with Perfectionism
A few weeks ago, I joined some friends for a painting event led by an instructor. Maybe I should preface this by sharing how I ventured out to a similar event a few years ago … except everyone painted whatever they wanted … without any steps or instructions. And I floundered … miserably. You see, I wanted an instructor to tell me which color to use and in which section. If I could have, I would have used a ruler to ensure everything was straight and even. I just wanted to have a perfect painting. I found myself completely stressed
Thank God No Matter What
Fun fact about me: I LOVE Christmas! Seriously, I think Buddy the Elf and I have some major competition when it comes to Christmas cheer. Every year, a month prior to Christmas, a complete spreadsheet comes together. There are lists for Christmas cards, gifts, movies, parties, and of course, planning our annual Christmas breakfast. This year was no exception, especially to make up for 2020:So many plans.So many expectations. Except that … the plans have been canceled and there have been so many disappointments instead. Sadly, last week my family was hit with Covid. One by one, each of us
The Light of the World
This season is so busy. Christmas parties, family gatherings, last minute shopping, secret Santa exchanges...and the list goes on and on. It’s so easy to lose focus on what this season is all about. There was a very long period of Israel’s history when the prophets of God stopped speaking and Israel did not hear the voice of God. I can only imagine those 400 long years of silence must have been one of the darkest times in Israel’s history. But when the appointed time had come, God spoke to his people again....through the cry of his son, baby Jesus.
The Shot
My son motioned goodbye to the guys from the gym. He managed to keep himself together…until the car door closed. That’s when he began to sob. He had fractured his leg and he was in excruciating pain- both physically and emotionally. Just before heading to the ER, I called my sister. She began to pray for Caleb over the phone- and it wasn’t just a “heal his body” kind of prayer. She knew it was his senior year of high school, his last year to play school ball. She knew how much this season meant to him. And in the
Kingdom Culture
“I sat in the first row of my first seminary class and I didn’t understand a thing.” My Dad was reminiscing over those early days when he had just moved here. As an excellent student in India, he received the opportunity to move to America to start a new life and study the Bible. The challenge? He didn’t know English fluently. He landed at DFW Airport and left behind homemade chicken curry, jackfruit trees, his native language, and his family to come as a single man to a brand-new culture. When I think of Dad sitting in a front row
