Week 33 Memory Verse
A car crashes into a crowd of people standing up against white nationalist protesters. What’s your first reaction? Do you lash out in a flurry of hateful words over social media, adding more negativity to the situation? Do you hide under a blanket on your couch, binge-watching Netflix so you don’t have to risk seeing
Kindness is a matter of the heart
A few weeks ago, I posed a question about the difference between helping others because it’s the “right thing to do” or because you want to do an act of kindness. I’ve already published some answers in this column, but I received one more letter in the mail that I couldn’t let go before sharing
Ann, the Appalachian Pioneer Woman
I’d like you to meet Ann. Ann is a professional photographer. She took all the photos of my bare chest during reconstruction for my upcoming breast cancer book. She’s used to seeing me naked. That’s why she has no problem walking into my house while I’m still in my pajamas, and I have no problem
Week 32 Memory Verse
I’m a project starter. How about you? A project starter is a person who gets all excited about cleaning her closet. She throws everything onto the bed and sorts through it by making three piles (give, save, toss). She puts the “give” and “toss” into black garbage bags, then walks out of the room because
Grace at the gas pump
I walked into the gas station with my debit card in hand. “Hi! I had fuel on pump one.” The young woman behind the counter looked at her register and then looked at me. “Which pump?” “Pump one.” Again she looked at her screen, this time with a confused little arch to her eyebrow. “I’m
Can I just say, I hate food?
In our house, we don’t use the word “hate.” It’s too strong. It’s too damaging. It’s too permanent. However, if I’m being honest, there are a few things I hate. I hate food and I hate exercise. I have a love/hate relationship with food that goes back as long as I can remember. I don’t
Week 31 Memory Verse
The Bible tells us not to fear something like 365 times— one time for every day of the year. Some theologians argue that’s not exactly true, but it sounds good so I’m going with it. Actually it doesn’t really matter to me exactly how many times we’ve been told. I’m a mom, so I figure
