They told us be strong, be put-together. They told us stand in the place of strength. It’s in the mythology of leaders, of politicians and public figures, and sometimes even in the church. Influencers are sturdy oaks, unbending: refuge in their strength. But these unyielding oaks, these sturdy-and-strong are not the ones who will positively […]
Have you ever been angry at God? Maybe thought he wouldn’t want you just the way you are? I sure have – for much of my life, actually. But the thing about grace is it takes you as you are, shattered as that may be. I didn’t get that my brokenness was exactly what God […]
Her face is wet with tears, her trembling hands twisting and untwisting a tissue. Her words are grief and sorrow and fear. My heart cracks in me, full of my friend’s choking hurt. And I can’t fix it. I can’t fix it for any of my hurting friends. These weeks between winter and spring have been […]
Last week, I had a bad day. No reason, no cause, just the edges of sorrow pressing up and recoloring moments, like Sadness from “Inside Out.” It happens now and then, and those days used to derail me, but not anymore. I’ve learned joy is a well that can be dug and drawn from. My source […]
Note: Many of you know I work in a residential treatment center for young women, including those who have eating disorders. Since this is National Eating Disorder Awareness week, I thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve learned about this important topic. It’s a rough morning, the end of 64 hours on the clock, […]
This is the Part Where I Quit Fear tries to bully me into silence. Shame swears I’m not qualified. Insecurity sneers that I’ve got nothing worth saying. So this is the part where I quit. Unless it isn’t. My heart aches to make beauty, to change things. But these voices roll around the corners of […]
Well, friends, it has been an exciting few weeks for me and this corner of the online world. 2016 is already surprising me with its twists and turns: unforeseen opportunities, new friends, old stories being told and healing I didn’t know I needed.I’m amazed to discover some of the things that will make their way […]
Note: I am so honored to host my new friend Steve Austin as he courageously shares his story of messy grace and redemption. (To read the original post about Steve’s suicide attempt, just click here.) If you’ve known dark days, are tired of a picture of Jesus that only brings condemnation, or are just plain weary, this […]
Thanksgiving looked different for me this year. I couldn’t spend it with loved ones – Oregon is just too far, and I had just visited my sister to meet my new baby niece. Being far from home can make for a tough holiday and an opportunity for extra loneliness to seep in. I didn’t want to […]
Together, we are living in the gaps. With the tension of unfulfilled dreams. With the heartache of loss and the sickness of deferred hope. Somewhere along the way, we run right into that painful space between what is and what should be. We hope for relationships, for children, for jobs. We long for healed bodies and souls, a […]
