A lot has been happening for me and finding time to write is a challenge. Beyond this, sometimes, words don't come or I have too many and no clear direction in my thoughts. Then, there are times like this one today, when I have words but I don't like them. More children have died in … Continue reading Words don’t come.
Category: Some say I’m an exvangelical.
39
President Carter is dying, and though you’d think that would be incredibly important here in Georgia, it’s not necessarily front page news for everyone. Jimmy Carter united the counties of Georgia back in 1976. For the first time, every county voted for a Democratic candidate. Georgia had been a red state. When Nixon ran in … Continue reading 39
Gone fishin’
A little while ago, I attended the Association of Partners in Christian Education (APCE) conference virtually. I was a face in a box on a screen listening to John Pavlovitz sharing his thoughts on compassion fatigue and the steps needed for work in ministry to be sustainable. He offered an affirming, yet uncomfortable suggestion to … Continue reading Gone fishin’
Holy matrimony.
It wasn’t until leaving the churches of christ and joining a presbyterian church that I heard my marriage referred to as holy. It’s not that holiness hadn’t been attributed to me previously, but not in this new, more loving and dignifying manner. Prior, it was my state of virginity specifically that I remember being identified … Continue reading Holy matrimony.
I’m fine. This is fine.
There is pain today, as there is every day. Unlike in years prior, before technology made it possible to know of hundreds of harms in a matter of minutes of internet wandering, people typically only knew of the grief of those within their town, within the fields of their local newspaper reporters, or within the … Continue reading I’m fine. This is fine.
I’m pleading with you to be quiet for all the moms who can’t tell you how awful you’re being.
Years back, before I had children of my own, I remember hearing “I can’t believe anyone would do that to their children. Who does that? What evil possesses a woman to kill her baby?”. I’m positive that person had no idea of the damage they did in that moment or the continuing impact years later. … Continue reading I’m pleading with you to be quiet for all the moms who can’t tell you how awful you’re being.
Am I an imposter?
Being a church leader is paralyzing in some ways. At times, it is affirming and uplifting, but on the other hand, it makes attending church feel like a job. Anyone at any time can be upset with you- feel you haven’t done your part, should have done it differently, should have kept your mouth shut, … Continue reading Am I an imposter?
Why I’m still voting.
Living in Georgia during an election year wasn’t previously stressful like it is now. Prior to 2018, Georgia’s political leanings were fairly reliable. I had a general idea of which candidates would win and what color Georgia would be on maps when it popped up during news segments. I also knew from much earlier in … Continue reading Why I’m still voting.
Happy Sad
I had a difficult conversation a couple of days ago and I’m still processing it. One of my children asked me about the Bible and how I feel about it, sharing with me that it makes him feel happy and sad. I, too, feel those same emotions when I open it. I have such a … Continue reading Happy Sad
A cup of coffee please, not a side of platitudes.
Gratitude has a place in all of our lives, but I don’t feel it is something we should tell others to have. Phrases like “find the silver lining” or “everything happens for a reason” are not helpful. When a person is experiencing distress, whether profound or not, those trite platitudes do very little more than … Continue reading A cup of coffee please, not a side of platitudes.