Ever since Target enlightened the public on their stance on the use of restrooms by transgender individuals, Christians have been in an uproar. While I understand their concerns, I am also concerned about their handling of the issue. Quite frankly, transgenders have been using the restrooms they identify with for years. And before you start lambasting me and assuming I absolutely approve of this, please remember that kindness and mercy is far better in our dealing with non-Christians than hate and destructive rhetoric. Continue reading
The Truth About Success
Today I was contemplating what makes a person truly successful. How do we measure it? How do we know when someone achieves it? How do we even define it?
For some individuals success is defined by reaching the pinnacle of power, for others it is defined in hearing applause for a job well done, for the career person it may be defined by successfully climbing the corporate ladder. Each person identifies their own interpretation of success, and it is based on their cultural values, moral values, and personal goals. Continue reading
The Ants Go Marching
As an older woman whose children have all reached adulthood and live on their own, I am often reminded of how difficult it is being a Mom. As I read some of my younger friend’s Facebook posts, I wish I could make their journey easier, but in all honesty, even the best of parents experience their times of frustration and agony. I was far from a perfect Mom and there were days when I just wanted to throw in the towel or lock myself in the bathroom and throw a temper tantrum, kicking and screaming like a toddler (oh wait, I really did that!). Continue reading
Heartaches and Hope
If you have lived any time at all, you already know that in this life bad things happen. No matter who you are, or where you live, or what you do, at some point pain and heartache will touch your life. Whether you are rich or poor, young or old, male or female, you are not exempt from this thing we call life.
Sometimes days are just hard. The heartache that comes seems unbearable. Continue reading
My Comfort Zone
I feel like my life has been in a holding pattern since my husband’s death six years ago. I have lived within my comfort zone, with very few challenges outside of it. However, for the past several months, the Holy Spirit has been convicting me to get ready for change. And for someone who does not like change, that is scary! Continue reading
A Precious Gift
In China being a Christian can bring many repercussions. While technically, being a Christian is allowed, it is only under very strict guidelines and you must register with the government. Only one version of the Bible is sanctioned and it has been highly edited. Continue reading
A House Is Not a Home
I have 
to say I love watching “Fixer Upper.” It is absolutely one of my favorite shows. Watching Chip and Joanna take an old, tired house and turn it into a thing of beauty is truly fun. I think one of the reasons I love the show so much is because growing up, we lived in some of those old, tired houses–only we never got to fix them up. I wish I had pictures to share of some of the many places we lived. But alas, our house burned down when I was in college, and there are no childhood home pictures. But I had two favorites. Continue reading
The Journey
There is no doubt in my mind that life is a journey. Sometimes the journey takes us to wonderful, beautiful places, and other times we tread on ground that is rocky and full of pitfalls. Occasionally we are blessed to meet some of the most awesome people in the world, and other times we meet people who make us question how bad a human can get. It is on this adventure called life that we often question who we are and what our purpose is.
I feel like I have been on a thousand journeys during this life, with twists and turns where I least expect them. Continue reading
The Great Lie–the truth about my own insecurity
Not long ago someone told me I was one of the most self-confident people she knew. I was stunned when she said that, because in all honesty, I question who I am all the time. I constantly want reassurance that what I am doing is okay–that I am okay. As a matter of fact–I am a great liar. I guess I hide it well that I am one of the most insecure people I know. Continue reading
The Meanderings of an Extrovert on the Introverts
This week is my annual get away for a writer’s retreat. I find myself looking forward to it each year. It is a time when a group of my friends who love to write gather together in solitude. I know that does not make much sense–but in actuality we each have our own room where we write to our heart’s content and only come together for an evening meal. Some of us are night owls and some are early birds. The flexibility of only coming together for dinner allows us the freedom to work in our own time frames.
My friends (who are all introv
erts) are great at getting right to business and accomplishing many of their goals during the week. They write goals and state their BHAG (big, hairy, audacious goal). They are good at eating frogs. Which means they get the hard things done first and then focus on the rest of the things they want to do.
And then, there is me–the one and only extrovert in the group. Continue reading
Ordinary People Extraordinary God 