Why We Read Biographies
Much like travel writing, where you get to see a different part of the world without ever leaving the comfort of your own couch, biographies and memoirs enable us to experience another’s point of view, feel another’s feelings, live another’s life. This is the kind of opportunity we don’t really get even with those that we know the most intimately.
The Way the Light Bends
The darkness is always near, but God reaches out to show us himself in these seasons, not in a blinding flood of revelation (not yet!), but in streaks of goodness that seem to bend to touch our hearts, if we can look into the darkness so that we don’t miss them.
Open Eyed Asking
How do I ask wholeheartedly, and continue asking in faith, and yet, with untainted trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, leave it fully in God’s hands?
The Truth of More
We see how our faith builds, cyclically, multidimensionally: our faith enables more faith which enables more faith.
Full, not Busy
But when I slow down long enough to think about it, I realize—all the things I’m doing during a day are good things, things I enjoy, things I have welcomed into my day for a reason. So is this really busyness—frenetic activity for activity’s sake—or is it fullness, a rich life of purpose and joy?
Beauty to Share
A quartet of books to share with your kids and a couple more for you to breeze through if you need to reassess where your time is going and why.
Albatross or Ebenezer
Some kids like to sleep with stuffed animals, but for months, my daughter chose to sleep with a large chunk of concrete. Because that makes perfect logical sense. It's soft and fuzzy and feels good if you roll over on it in the night.
Knitting My Heart to Another's
My lovely friend J. Elle's new book Wings of Ebony comes out this week (tomorrow!). In honor of her and upcoming Black History month (and MLK Day, which I missed already), I wanted to spend some time reading books that would give me a window into African American life.
No Time Like the Present
I sit down for my early morning read/pray/write. The dog immediately wants out. Then the coffee needs turning down. Then I see the power cord the kids left out and have to put it away.
Novel Means New
I did a thing this last year.
Well, really, this last year and a half. I wrote a novel, a big fat novel…
End of Year Reflection
December is my favorite month of the year. Most people assume that's because it contains my birthday (true) and that I'm self-absorbed and greedy (also true), but it's also because, at the end of the year and beginning of a new one, we find time for introspection and assessment--at least we should, if we're not too busy celebrating.
Provision in the Unpredictable
It's my twenty thousandth time reading the Christmas story (give or take a few), but this year it becomes about control...and provision.
Book Your Thanksgiving Now!
Looking to do a last minute pre-Thanksgiving library run so you're stocked up for your Thanksgiving break (and prepared in case everything shuts back down after Thanksgiving due to Covid)? This is your last minute list!