I love it when I sit down and the words are easy. They just flow, they don’t take too much mental energy and they don’t make me weepy when I re-read them.
These words are not going to be easy. I can tell. Because these are the words that keep coming to my mind: Forgive me.
At the beginning of the school ... Read More
There are certain people who come into our lives and make us better. Liz Schwarzel is one of those people. She’s a third grade teacher in Athens, Ohio. My son, Charlie had her as a teacher three years ago, and if I’m awfully lucky, Ben will have her next year. The kids affectionately call her Ms. Liz, but I get ... Read More
We were driving home from church with the kids in the backseat when I posed a question: Hey kids, what is our family’s core value?
I suppose a ship should know its destination before it sets sail, but as a 20-something, I just sort of got in the boat, had kids and hoped for the best.
My pastor preached a mighty powerful ... Read More
Breaking news: Nice guys DON’T finish last. In fact, people who are kind have more success in the workplace and on the home-front! And like the common cold or that nasty flu that’s going around, kindness spreads like a virus!
Several years ago, I wrote an article for my “Kindness is Contagious” column about a documentary film ... Read More
“Mom, please don’t cheer for the Vikings.”
My seven-year-old son, Ben, was very matter of fact about his request.
In case you missed it, last night the Vikings won in an amazing last second play against the Saints.
Next week, the Vikings will play the Eagles.
Little Ben is a big Carson Wentz fan. Carson plays for the Eagles.
When the Vikings play the Eagles, ... Read More
You go through a difficult time and someone offers to bring you a meal or pick up your kids. What do you say?
I think our natural instinct is to say no, right? We tell people verbally or through our actions that we’re okay, we’ve got this covered, we can do it ourselves.
But what if their offer of kindness isn’t ... Read More
I’ve decided I have a heart problem. Yes, I know, most people don’t just “decide” they have a problem with a major organ in their body. They go to a doctor and a medical professional doles out that diagnosis.
Call it “January” or “one too many snow days” or “cabin fever,” but I don’t need a doctor to tell me I ... Read More
We go about our days sometimes on auto-pilot, don’t we? Or maybe it’s just me.
I can go from meeting to meeting, taking the kids here, stopping at the store there, returning this phone call or that email… and all of a sudden, it’s 9pm.
If you were to ask me if I am a kind person, I’d say, “Sure! Yes! Absolutely!” ... Read More
Do you remember this exact date, January 1st— 18 years ago?
I was living in sin with Saul. He had more hair and my boobs were real. Other than that, it was pretty much the same as it is now.
We partied like it was 1999 (because it was), but there was a definite foreboding in my heart. I worked at a ... Read More
Jessica Reed is the sort of woman who inspires me to become a better person. She’s a dietician, a mom of five kids, a community advocate and a marathon runner.
She’s also the sort of woman who will stand in my kitchen and teach me how to evenly brown ground beef without giggling at my ineptitude.
Jessica took on a major challenge ... Read More
