I had three best friends when I was a preschooler: Jim, Angela, and Mossip Eyelash. Who cares if nobody else could see them? We had the best adventures ever. And then they moved away. But you know, whatever. You could probably point to a different kind of friend for every major season of your life... Continue Reading →
The pastor proclaimed triumphantly, "You may kiss the bride;" just as the new couple commenced their long-anticipated Hollywood movie moment with the swelling music and admiring onlookers, the three-year-old ring bearer with a buzz cut—my brother—cried out in a painfully clear voice, "EWWWWW!!!" Every wedding is unique and comes with its own set of stories... Continue Reading →
Duck poop. That was my first date with Riley. Two wide-eyed college kids went out for dinner and then put down a blanket to watch an Oklahoma sunset at the lake . . . surrounded by duck poop. Romantic, no? In honor of the month of love, I'll be spending a little time working through... Continue Reading →
Can you smell it? Love is in the air. (Maybe the scent is of roses from your boyfriend or soft baby skin after bath time or the well-worn pages of your Bible. Let's not box ourselves in here. There's too much love for that.) Regardless of your relationship status, this month is where admiration and... Continue Reading →
It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the... Continue Reading →
In 1959, an ingenuitive mom in California created a doll for her daughter to play with, and it rocked the nation. Barbies are now found in most homes of little girls, and their tiny high-heeled shoes are the bane of many a barefoot parent's existence (allegedly only rivaled by legos). According to the Mattel website,... Continue Reading →
The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and fans are getting antsy. Snacks will be prepared, faces will be painted, and chaos will most definitely ensue. As you dust off your best game day recipes, here's something to ponder: what if you cheered on the people—all of the people—God has put in your life... Continue Reading →
You groan: it's way too early to be awake, and it feels like someone is sitting on your chest. Or you walk into work and avoid eye contact because, all things considered, you just can't muster the emotional energy to do more than keep your head above water lately. Slumped shoulders. Shallow breaths. Constricted vision... Continue Reading →
Bubbles are oddly fascinating to me. Iridescent, perfect, and more fragile than seems possible. No matter how ugly life gets, they float effortlessly with ease and beauty. In case you didn't know it, today is National Hugging Day. And also in case you didn't know it, I'm not naturally a hugger. One of my favorite... Continue Reading →
Lights flash and the crowd cheers as a once-frumpy mom prances onto the stage, hair gorgeous, makeup perfect, and clothes flattering and feminine. As petty as it may sound, I honestly love these moments. The newfound confidence just emanates from a creature who finally feels as pretty as she is. Growing up in the church,... Continue Reading →
The Dwelling Place 