“It’s a GIRL!!” Sheer terror.
Guest Post: An Open Letter to Churches
Church hurt is real. Guest blogger Aurora Sanders shares why she left her church for another—and warns churches it does and will continue to happen until something drastically changes within.
What a Wonderful World
“What a wonderful world.”
Tears, acne, grief, and all.
Choosing Life: Part 1
“I naively thought choosing life was simply a moral decision. Until I also considered an abortion.”
For Such a Time as This
I’m comforted that seasons only last for a season. And in this season, I purpose to grow. To embrace each day and challenge. To brag on my Father’s blessings. And to bloom where I am.
To Schedule or Not Schedule?
For a long while, I hated scheduling. Until I chose using my schedules and not allowing my schedules to use me.
Hey, New Year
Dear 2022, Here’s the deal. Listen closely.
Soaring
I’m looking at looming horizons with renewed vision. Failure is not an option.
Exploring
I’m daring to explore. I’m daring to persevere. And through this journey abroad, I will grow.
25 Life Lessons
Every year I realize I’m growing closer to achieving ripe old age. Scary thought, huh? Maybe. But only if I’m not learning along the way.
Here are 25 lessons I’ve learned in my two and a half decades.
” I Have A Dream” excerpt
The following lines are snippets from a longer piece I composed earlier in 2021. They tell me dreams only happen when you're sleeping, while your mind is in the clouds, and your eyes are shut to the world you’re living in. They say dreams don’t happen in reality. But I dare to dream outside the… Continue reading ” I Have A Dream” excerpt
Planning in Pencil
Don’t make your plans too permanent. Write them in pencil, and keep the eraser.
Rona: An 8-word story
Sudden distress--ensuing losses. Emotional withdrawals. Prayerful repairs.
24 Reasons I’m Thankful
In these turbulent times, we can still count our blessings. I’m stopping at 24 things—but the list continues. What are you thankful for?
Relief
"How do I feel?" Sad. Lonely. Relieved.
“Poe’s Diet: A Parody”
Diets? Ughh. Life changes? Yes.
I Love Amazon
Online shopping?
Yes, please!
Why Pizza is the Best Romance
Pizza is the best romance. Why? I am so glad you asked!
Lightning Bugs
“Ah: it’s that time again For us—the bugs—to shine.”
Some Days
Some days, it’s good to observe and consider. Other days, it’s good to actually do. Some day, everyone will.
The Perfect Dad
Dad. That’s the word.
Cynical Curves
“Perhaps my features aren’t the finest— I never said I was gorgeous. But Are these the reasons I’m alone?”
Shattered Reality
"I somehow thought you knew The things you say you do."
“Because I said so!”
“It's a short, ready answer: don't question me when I know best.”
His Voice
I couldn’t see his face, As I walked through Raging winds and biting rain. But I heard a voice. I couldn’t feel his arms As the chills spread icy Fear and despair. But I could feel his love. I can’t always see your Tear stained face, feel Your all powerful embrace; Yet one trait remains:… Continue reading His Voice
Heart Strings
“I never thought I’d cry for you. Little you care for my tears.”
“Dear Rona”
"No fainting goat syndrome or surprise visit (even from the likes of you, Rona) can ever change my purpose."
Hey, Blue!
"The wind rushes through me hair, Sunning my wilting soul." We were not created blue, but sometimes, we are bound to feel blue.
Growth
Growing involves several aspects. But one thing is clear: it's not about the plant's desires.
An Introvert’s Isolation Checklist
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.” —A.A. Milne
Burdens: A 12 Word Story
When you've got chains, you need the chain-breaker.
Simply speak his name.
Love: 12 Word Story
“The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.”
—Eden Ahbez
T H R I V I N G
Let's be real: I don't like new year resolutions. So I didn't make one. Instead, I chose a single word to encompass all the feels for 2020.
Shape Shifters: Breaking Free of Fear
“Fear is not a necessity and failure is not continually imminent.”
My Biggest Fear
We all hide a few fears.
Today, I’m sharing just one.
And it’s the biggest challenge.
So: What’s your greatest fear?
6 Word Story: Autumn
Autumn is my favorite season!
What’s yours?
Friends or Bacon?
I’m an unashamed foodie.
Food is more than just a symphony of flavors and memories, or the test of one’s creativity. It’s the journey of connecting the art with your own story.
Food is a journey. And it’s personal.
The following story is a personal memory and reflection that occurred in a college lecture.
If you like this story, chances are you’ll also enjoy other similar stories and poems in my collection Heartbeats: Life blurbs that define me.
Dear Younger Me: Live Life
On this birthday weekend, I’m reminiscing past years. The mistakes, joys, heartaches, and triumphs. You know: my story.
I can’t time travel, but if I could write a letter to my younger self, or my fellow audience, then this is what I would say:
Stay strong.
Smile sunshine.
Pray, pray.
Dare some.
Live more.
Love most.
Why, God? Why?
“Why” has always been a vital question for me. Whether I’m weighing decisions, establishing trust, or finding the heart of the matter, “why” calms my fears.
But is it possible to go too far in our questioning? Do our questions show a need for sharper faith?
Poisonous Points: Fearless
Only 161 days left in 2019.
How are you doing with your goals?
In this post, I’ll refresh one of my goals and encourage you in finishing yours.
Don’t give in to fear.
Don’t quit now.
Stay on target.
8 Reasons Why Pizza is My Bae
“There is no moment in life that can’t be improved with pizza.” Dari
Pizza. Sigh.
Here are a few reasons why pizza is more than just a favorite food, a happy mood, and this girl’s favorite meal.
They Say He’s a Time Keeper
“Farewell. Dust to dust. Tears. Ashes. I see time as a short joy.”
To the Hurting Ones
“We wear the mask that grins and lies,
It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes...
We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries
To thee from tortured souls arise.
We sing, but oh the clay is vile
Beneath our feet, and long the mile;
But let the world dream otherwise,
We wear the mask!”
~Paul Laurence Dunbar
We all have pain and burdens. We all have tears in our eyes sometimes.
What are you doing with your pain?
Letters to Abba: A Sunbeam
“Love. It's not a feeling. It's a continual action. I don't always feel loved, but that doesn't mean I am any less loved.”
Breaking Boxes: Sizing Up Life
At a Singles’ Conference this past year, I was confronted with chunks of my life that I had unconsciously marked as “private territory.” I found myself guilty of compartmentalizing things such as my goals, fears, and relationships in boxes guarded within my heart.
Sometimes we have to break open boxes to rediscover the true value hidden within that box.
So I invite you to travel this year with me, reevaluating personal decisions and breaking open boxes.
Jump Start
Another year is here!
I don’t know about you, but this past year was not easy. I’ve gained friends. Lost friends. Seen some dear saints passed on to Heaven. Our family had some health scares.
But through it all, God has never left me. I might have wandered apart, but He was constant.
This year I’m setting my sights on particular goals, and I hope you will be encouraged to set achievable goals.
Living In a Marco Polo World
Hundreds of voices call us each day, and the decisions can often get confusing. Is our world really a life action game of Marco Polo? Whose voice are we listening to?
IVs, Groans, and Shoes
“There is one consolation in being sick; and that is the possibility that you may recover to a better state than you were ever in before.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Friends Or Bacon?
“The cow looked at me, and in that moment, I considered becoming a vegetarian.” That single sentence nearly chilled my Baptist blood. I try to take all Scripture to heart.
First Blog Post!
This is the post excerpt.
Petals With A Purpose 