Why God Made Dogs (and maybe cats)

I was born 43+ years ago, oldest of five kids, married at 18, got divorced, then I raised two kids. They’re both out of the house, my youngest is in college and my oldest is starting his own family. And I have not once ever had my own dog. Sure, we had dogs growing up,Continue reading “Why God Made Dogs (and maybe cats)”

Your Children Need Your Time

Kids don’t really need the monogrammed dresses and all the gaming consoles. They want and need your time. This picture is from 2008, when we used to take the camper to Tannehill for the whole month of October. Life was simple and easy and cheap. They caught bugs and made fires, got dirty, cooked outside,Continue reading “Your Children Need Your Time”

Are Hurts Like Leftovers?

“The key to happiness is a short memory.” Betty Creel White “What if hearts are infinitely reparable? Would knowing that make you fearless in love? Instead of avoiding heartbreak, you could give all your passion and play and intimacy…and trust your heart’s ability to heal from the inevitable bumps, bruises and crashes. Contrary to fantasy,Continue reading “Are Hurts Like Leftovers?”

Dear Beautifully Strong Willed Woman,

That very thing that makes you the most caring, tenacious, and resilient friend, sister, daughter, mother, mentor, and woman of God will make you a worthy and supportive woman to the man God👏 prepared 👏for 👏 you 👏. All those trials and obstacles you overcame with those same qualities are not unitools, they’re the fiberContinue reading “Dear Beautifully Strong Willed Woman,”

What’s Karen Got to Do With It?

Ever notice how people who aren’t trying to grow spiritually or people who have a really high horse they’re on like to point out everyone else’s sin? It’s super annoying. Guess what!? Churches are full of sinners. Yep. It’s true! 100% sinners. I’d rather be called a hypocrite by a busy body than never feelContinue reading “What’s Karen Got to Do With It?”

Do You Love Well?

Popular misunderstanding about love languages: The way you feel love is by default the way you love the best. Example: You feel loved the best by someone offering acts of service, so you are exceptionally good at serving others. Cooking dinner, washing the car, doing the laundry, etc. BUT…if the person you love’s love languageContinue reading “Do You Love Well?”

You Forgive Your Dog for Worse

If you’ve ever come home to find your dog has totally destroyed the crate and smeared a hot steamy dump all over the walls around it, you will relate to this. Meet Charlie. He’s a rescue and I’ve had him for 11 days. He’s adorable and cuddly and loving. He wants so badly to pleaseContinue reading “You Forgive Your Dog for Worse”

We Don’t Have to Cry Alone

“I’ve heard that no matter what you’re going through, someone has it worse. I don’t like that statement. I’ve never liked it. It’s emotionally dismissive, and it teaches us our personal struggles are insignificant. So we hide, and we refuse to cry out, and we try not to burden others with our pain. Someone mightContinue reading “We Don’t Have to Cry Alone”

Little Moments that Count

No, my life is not margaritas on a beach, that’s a very very small portion of it. It really is the day in day out, who your people are, the space you make your home, the conversations you have with strangers, the 30 minutes you spend connecting with your friend…if you’re fortunate, the affection youContinue reading “Little Moments that Count”

Dating in Your 40’s

Dating can be an education if you let it. The expense of it is the hope you tie to that person… You’re not sad because it didn’t work out with that specific person, you’re sad because you hoped you were done dating. But just like learning to make homemade gravy that doesn’t taste like flour,Continue reading “Dating in Your 40’s”

Don’t Make it Worse

All day I’d rather be the one getting hurt than the one doing the hurting because there’s something to be said for being the stone and not the stepper. Standing out doesn’t always mean being the loudest. Sometimes standing out just means standing up for what you know in your heart is good to doContinue reading “Don’t Make it Worse”

Have the Uncomfortable Talk

No one likes an uncomfortable conversation, but if grace is the fuel for change and vulnerability exposes love, a conversation is something you should practice and believe in. Read those again. Grace is the fuel for change. Vulnerability exposes love. Powerful words there. Don’t be afraid to string together a loving set of words thatContinue reading “Have the Uncomfortable Talk”