So, You say you can’t Dance?
So, you say you can’t dance? Me neither. And trust me, I’ve tried. As a kid, I attended a small Indian church. Once a month, our church hosted a “youth meeting.” A Saturday night service in which our talents (or lack of) were on display. There wasn’t a lot of dancing going on back then...but there was plenty of singing, playing instruments and preaching on display. All good stuff...if you’re gifted in those areas. Like a child needing something to show off at ‘show and tell,’ I spent much of my childhood searching for a talent to display. It took years
Someone Else’s Armor
It’s easy to think we know best … especially when it comes to someone else. Your kids...your husband...your best friend...your sibling - who knows them better than you? You love them. You see their strengths and recognize what they are good at. You want the best for them. You “encourage” them to pursue it. So, it is surprising when sometimes … they resist. At that point, we do what any caring person would … we push them harder! After all, they must need to be challenged in this area! Then, one glorious day, when they become really successful, they will
Choosing What’s Better
After I said, “I do”, I realized that my husband and I are different about some things. I thrive on making lists and checking off boxes and let’s just say, that’s not how he rolls. There was one specific event that defined this epiphany. I was going to step out for a few hours … for the first time after having my son. Being that my husband was not entirely familiar with my toddler and infant’s routines, I felt it would be “helpful” for him to have a schedule of what to do and when. By a schedule, I should
Nothing Else…
My kids started school last week. We've navigated the 'back to school' season before. We're not experts, but we're familiar with the change from summer break to schooling again. However, this year was different. I was nervous all day, all week, actually. I had butterflies in my stomach each time I dropped them off, and they didn't resolve until we were all back home together. I could chock it up to several things. I know that I was nervous about my daughter transitioning to a new school. I know that I was nervous for my son, who was starting a new
Life Changing Conversations
Have you ever had a life changing conversation? I have. Years ago, I had lunch with an elder at my church. I talked, she listened. I shared...my thoughts, my fears. All very real and very raw. And you know what? It was life changing. Not on the outside (no one even noticed)...but on the inside. I hope I don’t sound like a basket case, but for the first time (from someone other than my husband)...I felt understood. It was freeing. In a recent post by Proverbs 31 Ministries, author Mary DeMuth writes about “Life-changing conversations.” The basis of her post stems
Work and Worship
How many of us trudge through our week and our jobs, working just to bring home a paycheck, with our eyes focused solely on getting to the weekend? This weekend at church, the guest speaker, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, challenged us to take a different perspective of our work. Rabbi Lapin correlated the word “work” and “worship” through a few scriptures and pointed out that the same Hebrew word was used in place of both of these words. His point was that work and worship should be regarded together. Our worship is not just praising God, but worship also happens when
Out of Sight, Out of Mind?
Back in September of 1999, my husband and I shared our marriage vows in the presence of God and nearly 900 witnesses. No, you are not seeing things. And no, I did not add an extra zero by accident. Our wedding was large, to say the least. Honestly, there were several guests that neither of us even knew. When we asked our parents why they invited so many people, one response, in particular, left me astounded. They shared that since they immigrated to the United States, there were several people … far too many to count … who befriended them
The Train Whistle
My son is fascinated with trains. Fortunately for him, there is a passenger train track in front of his school, so he gets the experience of watching it pass several times a day. It's not enough that the train passes, though. He also closely monitors the railroad crossing sign as it slowly pulls up and down into position, and refuses to move until it locks into place. At school pickup time, the 5 o'clock train brings the people home after a long day, and he gets a kick out of watching this lengthy process as I stand in the blazing
There’s Just Something…
I got to spend some time with this little guy this weekend...and I loved it! Hanging out with our nephew takes me back. Back to when my boys were that age. Reading with them, teaching them simple truths through simple songs...such sweet memories. But just to keep it real, some of those memories weren’t so sweet, at least not while they were happening. Like our chaotic pre-church Sunday morning routine. Getting ourselves ready, getting our kids ready, packing up the diaper bag, buckling up car seats. By the time I entered the sanctuary, I was exhausted. And like clock work,
Getting your Xs and Os in Order!
Last weekend, we were at a wedding. My daughter started to get restless after sitting quietly for so long. I pulled out a piece of paper and pen and began playing tic- tack- toe with her to keep her quiet and occupied. She insisted on starting first for each game. She would make the first X or O and my mind would start churning in efforts to block her future moves. After a while, I started getting frustrated. (I know, it's just a game and she's only 5, but still!) Being on the defensive for each game was starting to
