When I was little, my family would visit an old-timey seafood restaurant every time we went to the beach. It had aquariums of exotic fish in the lobby and yummy popcorn shrimp on the kid’s menu, but my favorite part was that it boasted its very own alligator, named George. George lived in the lake […]
Facing the Fear of Man
My heart pounded as I entered the audition room. Assorted casting folk sat behind a table, peering at me with smiles that didn’t quite reach their appraising eyes… and I realized: All my dreams of performing on that stage were in their hands. They had the power to cast me or to cast me out—and […]
Wanting Better Words
Sometimes, I wish my words came with a fishing pole so I could reel them back in when I thought better of them. I had one of those moments this week. I thoughtlessly said something to a friend and immediately wished I could take it back. But the words were out there, declaring their unintended […]
When You Face Trouble and Grief
When my family’s dog, Barnabas, started having mobility issues, we kept a close eye on him. His gait was weak and he found it challenging to navigate the house at times, so whenever we noticed he was in distress, we would rush to help him. It was really hard to see him struggling. But recently […]
Finding a Joy that Can’t Be Snuffed Out
This past week, on a particularly dreary afternoon, I lit an assortment of candles just to watch them glow. My little chorus-line of flames sparkled and danced above mismatched candle holders and suddenly, the day didn’t seem quite as gloomy. But as the day went on, I noticed that some of the candles were much […]
When Loved Ones Resist Faith
Have you ever shared your faith with people you care about—only to have them push you away? Years ago, I had a tiny taste of this with a friend…and it was hard. If I’m honest, it was hurtful to see this friend push away from me. Every message that went unanswered stung a little. But more […]