I tucked in my youngest son last night with the same two questions I always ask.
Who loves you?
Momma.
Who else loves you?
Jesus.
I always end by saying That’s right, Momma and Jesus love you! Then I walk away sort of giggling to myself, because I like the ring of that — Momma and Jesus love you. It sounds like a country western ... Read More
Does what I do matter?
Have you ever thought that to yourself?
Perhaps you’ve been in the checkout lane when the cashier asks if you’d like to donate a dollar to end world hunger. Or maybe you’ve dropped off old towels and blankets so they could be sent to some area of devastation overseas. Most recently, I was asked to donate bottles ... Read More
As an aspiring author, imagine my total delight when I was asked to introduce a New York Times bestselling author at a charity event. Not only that, the organization’s director asked if I would be willing to spend the day with the author, driving her to a television interview, showing her around town and taking her to lunch. Best. Day. ... Read More
I was driving by myself yesterday when a song came on that I love. I listen to it before I speak. It’s part of my “pre-game” ritual. When I remember who I am in God and how much He loves me, it’s easier to stand on a stage and help others remember.
When I lose my way,
And I forget my name
Remind ... Read More
In my family, instead of Thanksgiving turkey, we pull out of the all-holiday ham. We will continue pulling it out for leftovers for the next week, starting today: RAK Friday.
Oh, I’m sorry. Did you think it was called Black Friday? Nah, that’s so 1990s. You know, when people loved standing in line overnight to get the new superfly boombox ... Read More
Several years ago, a man sent in a story for my Kindness is Contagious column. It resonated with me so deeply, I used it again in my book and I often refer to it in my speaking engagements.
Why did I love that particular story so much? Because it flipped over the ridiculously angry emotions I feel sometimes when someone does ... Read More
I woke up in the middle of the night this week with an incredibly clear thought: fishes and loaves.
Let me back up. My sweet 13 year old daughter was featured on NBC Nightly News last Wednesday. An hour after it aired, I was on the phone with the manager of Shop Athens ... Read More
I have written more than 300 stories for this column, but I’d have many more to share if it weren’t for one tiny phrase that keeps repeating itself in a variety of forms.
“I don’t want to toot my own horn.”
“I hate to brag.”
“If I get my rewards on Earth, I won’t get them in Heaven.”
“I was taught to give in ... Read More
I remember walking downtown with my youngest son when he was about four. It’s that beautiful (yet exhausting) age where kids are becoming alert to the world around them, and vocal enough to give you a play-by-play account of what they see.
As we strolled along, I spotted a college-age woman with a significant limp. Sure enough, so did my son.
“Mom, ... Read More
Sometimes I wish I could spend more time, money and energy on myself and less on others.
Selfish? Yep.
True? Absolutely.
I bet I’m not alone. I bet there are times when you want to say, “Sorry, God, find someone else today. I’m busy.”
Only we’re not busy. The truth is, sometimes we just don’t feel like doing the right thing.
We talk a lot ... Read More
