Train Your Focus on the Light of Kindness
Have you ever noticed that when you get something stuck in your mind you start seeing it everywhere? When I gave up drinking, every billboard I drove past for at least a month was advertising some sort of alcoholic beverage.When Saul and I started thinking about getting a security system for the new house, it
What Does God Do?
Overheard in my kitchen this morning: Charlie (8): What is God’s hobby? Jordan (10): Taking care of people. Charlie: Are you sure? Why would he do that? He doesn’t get paid. Jordan: That’s why it’s called a hobby. I’m pretty sure I should have stepped in from the other room with some great theological answer
I am Beautiful
Someone challenged me recently to put 5 pictures on Facebook in which I feel beautiful. Yikes… it’s not that I have a poor outlook of myself or really low self-esteem, it’s just that most of the time I’m the one taking the picture. Besides, it’s a very uncomfortable feeling to say, “Here, look at this
Kindness Makes World of Difference to Newcomer
Have you ever had a life experience in which you thought to yourself, “If I can just live through this, it’ll all be OK?” I have had several, and I’m a little embarrassed to say they weren’t caused by the bad things in my life. They were caused by the good things. Those moments of
The Perfect Pair of Jeans
My friend, Mary, called the other day with a brilliant analogy. “Friends are like jeans,” she said, “some are just so comfy.” I can’t get that out of my mind. Since I’ve moved to Athens, I’ve been able to see so clearly how every friend I have or have had is like a pair of
The Professional Encourager
My friend, Mimi, is a Professional Encourager. Honestly. She has the business card to prove it. God gave her the gift of fearlessness, and she uses it, REALLY uses it to tell anyone in her path how great they are. Two years ago, I saw Mimi at a reunion for Miss America contestants. We hadn’t
Kindness Paves Road to Miss America
Seventeen years ago this very weekend, I competed in the Miss America pageant representing my home state of Wisconsin. When the pageant was over, I came home with an interview award, $10,000 in scholarship money and a whole bunch of sparkly earrings (some of which are still in my jewelry box). When people ask how
