A reminder for when it’s all too much.

In the past two weeks, I’ve read two stories of tragic loss & suffering – one in my own city, and one a world away – and I’ve all but shut them out of my mind just to preserve my sanity. I’m not proud to admit this. Just READING about the suffering in the world threatens to take. me.

What laundry taught me about prayer.

I’ve been studying the life of David. I’ve always been comforted by his Psalms because he’s kind of all over the place – which describes me most of the time. He’s up, he’s down, he’s everywhere in between. He feels all the feelings. And he feels them deeply. Like, “Go Big or Go Home: Feelings Edition.”

Throwback Thursday: Comparison is a B*tch

In honor of our neighborhood pool opening this weekend, I am reading (preaching) this post to myself over and over. And over. And. Over. Originally published March 26, 2014. I reallyreallyreally tried to make myself title this, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Why? Because it’s true and I love that quote. (Thank you, Mr.

Adventures With Sunless Tanner: A(nother) Cautionary Tale

I have a complicated history with at-home beauty treatments. So, naturally, I decided to buy 3 bottles of sunless tanner last week. (It was buy 2, get 1 free. How could I not?) Application #1: I’m a bit tentative. I exfoliate. I moisturize my knees, elbows, and ankles. Then, just a bit of self-tanner on the arms,

I’m going to a conference. And I’m wearing my pajamas.

How great would it be to experience the awesome teaching, encouragement, and inspiration of a women’s conference – but without having to pack a bag, shell out a load of cash for a hotel, and arrange to be gone for multiple days and nights? Don’t get me wrong – I love me a girls’ weekend. But

One key truth you probably have backward. (I did.)

If avoidance was a sport, I’d be World Champion. Until today, I have avoided writing for over a month. It’s basically been a full-on commitment to NOT DO something I’m called to do. And, why? Because writing feels like it will require more than I have to give. It’s the same reason I hid from my neighbor for almost a year.

How to be Brave

He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell the disciples: “He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.”… So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet

Prayer (and a free printable!)

The other night, a friend mentioned these words from Oswald Chambers, and they’ve followed me around the past few days.  I’ll be printing this and putting it somewhere to remind me that in all I do – and hope to do –  prayer is more than an afterthought, a last resort, or even a preparatory

Flashback Friday: The Wisest Words I Received as a New Mom (and as a human in general)

I wrote this post a year ago about something I learned when I was a new mom – and it’s as freeing to me today as it was then. Buckle up, friends. It might be hard to hear – but I think you’ll be glad you did. Originally published March 17, 2014. Confession time. It’s been a rough

Starbucks Confessional (I am a freaking hot mess. Now, what?)

I’m doing something that makes me nervous. I was feeling pretty raw and low last week and it spilled onto the pages of my journal. I’m nervous because I know I’m supposed to share it. I wanted to edit it first – but not in the way I usually edit my writing. I could tell I wanted