Sometimes the simplest truths are the deepest ones. Tonight I’m facilitating a retreat on Journaling and I mentioned how easy it is to give up once we miss a day or two (or twelve) of journaling. In those moments, it’s incredibly easy to give up and fall into guilt and shame. In fact, that often […]
Spiritual Formation
Thoughts from Q Nashville.
Another Q is finished and I am exhausted. It was a very different experience this year, yet it was exactly what it needed to be. Last year, the rhythm and content of Q felt so new and exciting. This year, the sheen had worn off a bit. That’s not to say it wasn’t a good […]
Battling Narratives
I was amazed this week to discover a connection between two seemingly opposite films: Groundhog Day and Enchanted April. I know. But hear me out. Lately I’ve noticed how often I see my life through a certain lens. In that lens I am playing out the same stories over and over. I feel stuck in […]
Why Peter?
Earlier this week I was watching a film about Jesus. As I watched I was struck, in a new way, by Peter’s journey. Peter is usually pegged as zealous, and rightly so. There is a fierceness in him. He is always ready with a stark statements (i.e. “You are the son of God”) and is […]
Hey, Your Weakness is Showing
“The American Dream is to live in our strength; God’s dream is that we live in our weakness.” I read these words this morning. And oh boy, didn’t they strike true? The truth that most days I want to live out of strength, when the invitation is to be weak. Then weakness breaks down the […]
He Wasn’t Joking
I finished 2013 by reflecting on the year – giving thanks for the joyous moments, crying over hopes disappointed, and prayerfully looking forward. As I looked forward I sensed God was calling me into a season of learning freedom in circumstances. When troubles strike, I often find that I struggle with doubt. Some days I […]
The Novelty Has Worn Off – December 12, 2013
I’m tired of writing about being single. When I first started blogging, I was full of ideas of posts on the single life – both silly and serious. Now, the novelty has worn off. The thought of writing about singleness or dating feels more like a chore. I feel stuck when it comes to dating. […]
Go? – November 7, 2013
Some days I really hate being friends with spiritual directors. I mean, I appreciate the deeper conversations about life and relationships and God. But then there are the times when these spiritual director friends ask those good questions. You know, the questions that stop you in your tracks. The questions you don’t quite have an […]
Fix Me! – November 5, 2013
I suspect I’ll never fully recover. From anxiety. From overworking. All in the name of being seen. When I was younger, I saw healing as a means to an end. It took years for me to even admit that I needed to be healed. Then, healing was sought out in hopes of (if I’m honest) […]
thresh·old – October 31, 2013
thresh·old noun \ˈthresh-ˌhōld, ˈthre-ˌshōld\ 1: the plank, stone, or piece of timber that lies under a door : sill 2a : gate, door; b (1) : end, boundary; specifically : the end of a runway (2) : the place or point of entering or beginning : outset 3a : the point at which a physiological or […]
Slamming into a Wall – October 8, 2013
Last Thursday I hit my wall. You know. The Wall. The wall you hit when you just can’t keep going on at your current pace. The wall that unleashes all your emotions, tears, and exhaustion like an avalanche. Marathon runners talk about this wall they hit towards the end of a race. Then their legs give out and they do a crazy […]
Turning a Corner – September 10, 2013
I turned a corner this summer. To be honest, I didn’t think it was possible. The year preceding it felt sad and lonely and confined. It seemed to stretch on forever without end. I actually don’t think I realized how hard this year was until now, as I look back upon it. It’s funny how […]