Several summers ago, I was gardening wildflowers. It was therapeutic — weeding and watering the cosmos, blanket flowers, cornflowers, and other delicate beauties that graced the yard. They brought me more happiness than I could articulate. (This is probably largely due to the fact that I’m not a gardener-type at all, and plants that survive me are a mini miracle.) …
I met Melissa Stroh (aka MN Stroh) through the Jerry B. Jenkins Writers Guild years ago and have had the privilege ever since to count her a dear friend and sister in Christ. She is supportive, sweet, insanely knowledgeable, hardworking, and a fabulous listener. Melissa writes edgy Christian historical fiction (romance and adventure stories) set in Medieval Ireland in the…
It hit me, perhaps, because my son (who just turned thirteen years old!) was working on his science fair project over Christmas break. He had been encouraged to select a simple, repeatable experiment and to isolate the components so that there was only one variable. And as I sat reflecting over this year, I remembered something I heard or read…
Do you find this to be true of you? A loved one comes to you in distress and you immediately try to discern the cause and what you might do to relieve their pain. Encouragement rolls from your lips along with a prayer for restored joy and peace for this person you love dearly. But when you find yourself in…
I had just settled on the couch, grateful to have crossed the day’s finish line with two kids intact and in bed. I eagerly reached for a book I’d been longing to read, when my six-year-old padded out of her room – one bare foot and one slipper-socked foot. I bristled, wondering with the psalmist how long, O Lord? Sweet…
Some people readily promote all kinds of products and books (and that’s great), but I’m way too picky, and I hate the idea of coming across like a slick scamming salesman. That is NOT the case here. Comparison Girl has personally benefited me, and I’m convinced you will benefit too, to the point that I don’t mind if this slightly…
The Struggle is Real I have this bad habit of letting my desire for perfection paralyze me over the stupidest things (and some not-so-stupid things). Like cleaning the house. Maybe it doesn’t help that I enjoy watching HGTV that features jaw-dropping renovations, transforming every inch into equal parts function and beauty. Then I turn off the tv and gaze at…
I’m a recovering grayish-black thumb (aka discouraged gardener wanna-be), but this year I’m enamored watching plants grow in our yard (aka maybe there’s hope!). Maybe it’s that I have more energy this year for this kind of thing. Maybe it’s the joy of collaborative contributions. Whatever it is, I’m dubbing it the year of the plants! Early in the season,…
Two disclaimers before you advance any farther. #1: If you think that the four years you spent in high school (or college) were the best years of your life, this post is not for you. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, click out of this article, abort mission. (Unless you are actually in highschool or college! Then disregard…
It’s been baffling to know what to share with you. I’ve started and discarded at least four drafts. I realize that we are each uniquely impacted by the craziness our planet is currently enduring. So I have said nothing. But I don’t think silence is right. Especially while we’re isolated and social-distancing, it seems more important than ever to reach…
