I was a rule follower long before I realized I was a writer. “Which way do we go — and how do we act while we get there?” was my mantra. And while I like life to be heavily flavored with grace and passion and laughter these days, there is still a time and a place for rules. …
In Others’ Words: Running
My husband Rob often says that you should never run from something, but rather you should always be running to something. There’s wisdom in that exhortation. And yet, the reality is, there are times that the best thing I could do was run as fast as I could away from something. Like the time I ran from the temptation of …
In Others’ Words: Confidence (& book giveaway)
“It’s better to do something about one thing than nothing about everything.” ~My One Word: Change Your Life With Just One Word by Mike Ashcraft & Rachel Olsen Early in December — so last year! — I shared my one word for 2013: Confidence. And then the so-generous Melanie at OnlyABreath.com made me — and many, many others …
In Others’ Words: No Shortcuts
I’ve wanted to be a writer all my life. Really. I was one of those kids in school who didn’t moan about writing papers for English class and who thought spelling bees were fun. When it came time to choose my major for college, I asked myself, “What do I love enough that I wouldn’t mind doing it every day …
In Others’ Word: Being You
I’m not a woodworker — too afraid of a table saw for that kind of endeavor. Even so, I know that wood has a grain to it. Go against a piece of wood’s natural grain and guess what happens … The wood tears. There have been seasons in my life when I lived against the grain. Circumstances pressured me to act a …
In Others’ Words: Direction
Seems everyone’s talking resolutions and words . . . hopes and dreams for the new year. I relish hearing about other people’s desires for the next 12 months. Meanwhile, I hung up my “Confidence” quote near my desk and positioned the “Confidence” ornament my friend Shari gave me from the rear view mirror of my Subaru Forester. Yes, that’s one …
In Others’ Words: Begin
Happy 2013, friends! I’ve missed our conversations. We’re two days into the new year. I have plans for today … and for this year. Based on your Facebook statuses, your emails, your Instant Messages, y’all have plans too. I’m wise enough to know my plans will be interrupted. Let’s see if I’m also wise enough to embrace the interruptions, adapt …
In Others’ Words: Christmas Prayer
We yearn, our Father, for the simple beauty of Christmas — for all the old familiar melodies and words that remind us of that great miracle when He who made all things was one night to come as a babe, to like in the crook of a woman’s arm. Before such mystery we kneel, as we follow the shepherds …
In Others’ Words: On a Hummingbird’s Wing and a Prayer
After eight years living in Niceville, FL (yes, Niceville), my roots ran deep into Florida’s sandy soil. My kids were happy. My husband was happy with his job at Eglin Air Force Base. And me? I was happy too. I treasured a wonderful circle of friends, taught women’s Bible studies and helped lead the women’s ministry at my church. My …
In Others’ Words: Direction
Where are you headed? There are 28 days left in December and then it’s time for a new calendar and a new year. Where are you headed in 2013? If you’ve known me for any length of time, you know I abandoned New Year’s Resolutions years ago — way back in 2006, to be exact. Instead, I focus on one …