Six and a half years ago, my family and I sat in the pastor’s conference room as we prepared for my precious Granny Jones’s funeral. We talked about what she loved (her family and Bill Gaither, to name a couple) and what she disliked. When the topic of her dislikes arose, Aunt Faye said with little hesitation, “She did not like politics!” For as long as I can remember, politics was on her ‘Do not discuss’ list – not so much because she hated it, but because she did not understand it. She interacted with politics much like sports. She was famous for saying (in regards to football, baseball, … [Read more...]

Happy Belated Mother’s Day, friends! Yesterday held many emotions for many people. Some woke up to the smell of slightly burned toast or misshapen pancakes. Some were whisked off to a delightful brunch with all seven of their children and grandchildren. Some pulled the covers up over their heads to enjoy a few more minutes of peace before Dad returned home with the children. And, some pulled the covers up over their heads because they could not face the day. Some crawled out of bed, looked at themselves in the mirror, and then sobbed in the shower. Some washed their face, choked back their … [Read more...]

Fifteen years ago, I was only days away from completing my undergraduate degree and my mind could not help but wonder what God next had for my life. I knew I was returning to school in the Fall to begin my master’s degree but let’s face it... the question I truly wanted answered was... “Who does God have for me?” Eric and I had been friends for about a year and a half. During that time, he made it clear he was only interested in being friends (a conversation which came up when I invited him to a friend’s wedding). However, just before the end of my undergrad days, Eric started acting a … [Read more...]

The end of April has arrived and warm weather is here to stay. Though I love crisp air, I find myself a bit sad during the first few months of the year. After all the togetherness and joy surrounding Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, January through March always feels like a dreary letdown. April 1st is when I often declare my new year. The sun comes out, beach trips do not feel so far away, and people emerge from their cocoons and are talking to each other again! Warm weather not only brings us out of our shells, but it also awakens our desire to travel and explore. Some of you are … [Read more...]

In the spring of 2004, I hopped into a college acquaintance’s jeep with a couple other girls and cruised towards the movie theater, laughing and joking all the way. The Passion of the Christ had recently come out and I felt compelled to see it. We parked and walked in with our normal energy and silliness having no idea the shock which awaited us. Growing up Christian, we were no stranger to passion plays. How would this movie be any different? It was different. It was graphic. It left nothing to the imagination. It removed any possible fleeting thought which said, “Maybe Christ did not … [Read more...]