Common-sense grace for the try-hard girl
I’ve seen the commercial countless times, and every time I watch it, I feel both guilt and inspiration. This State Farm ad shows a bearded man who is followed by all the needs he sees: the abandoned dog, the military veteran, the at-risk student, the homeless man, and the polar bear. By the end of […]
In the past, I’ve made decisions based on two criteria: (1) Do they need me?—which they did because they’re asking; and (2) Can I do it? —which I could technically do because I could find an opening somewhere in my schedule, even if it was every other Thursday for 45 minutes while the girls were […]
Our oldest has her heart set on starting a pet sitting business. She wants to care for dogs and cats, to show that she’s a responsible kid, and to seem older than her years convey. So in response to her idea, I asked her a couple of questions. “Are there any pets that you wouldn’t […]
My recent Facebook poll showed that over 60% of women feel their life is either “Pretty busy” or “Moving at warp speed.” Others described their lives as a “tornado” and “unhinged.” The reason for the overwhelm was attributed to doing too much for too many with too little for too long. Friends, according to my […]
This post isn’t about your pantry or closet or getting rid of your stuff. It’s not about magical arts or even tidying up. This post is about decluttering your life by jettisoning what isn’t crucial to your calling and giving you room to breathe. It’s about looking at your calling, recognizing what’s cluttering it, and […]
Several years ago, I was kindergarten room-mom, mother to a preschooler, employee, host and leader of a small group, exercise fanatic, participant in a second bible study, wife, friend, daughter, continuous house cleaner, and baker of scratch-made birthday cakes. I was trying to do all the things I thought I should be doing. Now these […]
It happens virtually every time a friend and I get together over coffee: one of us shares how we’re wrestling with what we should do next. Do I go back to grad school knowing it will impact my family but further my career? Do I take that job and move away from friends and family? […]
It took getting hit by a car to realize I believed two lies about my life. My friend Jennifer and I were training for a half-marathon because I am an idiot, and Jennifer is just really nice. On one of our training runs, we came to an apartment-complex driveway. We stopped as we saw the […]
During my second season of working for the Houston Astros, I witnessed the worst and strangest game I’ve ever seen. Astros starting pitcher Scott Elarton threw fifty-five pitches and gave up nine runs in two innings. Nineteen San Diego Padres went to the plate and loaded the bases three times. It was a bloodbath, and […]
In the circles I travel, and by “travel” I mean read on blogs and listen to on podcasts, much is said about purpose: finding it, living it, determining it. We know that we have a purpose and we desperately want to find out what it is. Although Achievers don’t want to waste too much time […]