We have a big calendar on the wall of our kitchen. On a normal April, it is filled. Every single day has something written on it. Baseball games, track practices, Mom’s speaking events, Dad’s recruiting trips — every day is spoken for.
When school was cancelled in March, my youngest son, Ben, took a marker and crossed everything out and wrote ... Read More
There is a woman who lives in my former town of Athens, Ohio. She makes the most delicious smelling soap and is pretty famous, although she would never admit to it.
Her name is Space and her company is playfully called Space Cadet Soaps. Space recently shared her musings on kindness after receiving an unexpected thank you ... Read More
I always love it when I write something and someone comes back and says, “That message has been repeating itself in my life lately.”
I think it’s fun and amazing and proof that God cares so deeply about the intimate details of our lives.
I love it — except when it happens to me.
When it happens to me, it often ... Read More
Have you ever leaned into someone during a challenging season in that person’s life?
Did you deliver a casserole or a plate of fresh-baked cookies? As the recipient of both casseroles and cookies, I can tell you they hit their mark and remind us we’re not alone in our suffering.
Kindness is healing, because when we need a friend, we ... Read More
A funny thing happened while I was carefully planning out my life: my husband nearly delivered a baby in a blizzard.
There I was, talking with my work team about how to remind people of the power of kindness. Should we order new stickers? How about pens that say, “Kindness is Contagious”?
Nope. Let’s just send Saul out in a snowstorm.
Last Monday ... Read More
My husband was supposed to be on the team bus. That’s what he always does. His basketball team was heading out for a weekend double header and he rides the bus.
Only, at the last minute, he decided to drive his own car.
That night after the first game (a win!) he followed the bus to the next city. The ... Read More
What’s on your mind? Are you excited about the possibilities of this new year? Or are you feeling like you need fewer problems and more solutions?
I’ll be honest, I spent a good part of Christmas break seeing the world’s problems and trying (unsuccessfully) to be the solution.
The harder I tried to be the answer, the trickier the questions ... Read More
I lost my dear friend, Tom, just before Christmas.
He was in his late 80s and his quality of life was diminishing, but even so, it’s hard to say goodbye.
One of the great gifts of these past six months was the amount of times I was able to visit Tom and his wife, Ann. My family’s move from Ohio to South ... Read More
For everything there is a season.
I’m saying goodbye to my dear friend, Tom, today. Tom was 86 and had cancer and a whole host of other health problems, yet I was shocked to learn he was gone.
He lived a good, full life and I know what he is seeing now is too magnificent for words. If he used ... Read More
I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want to be Mister Rogers when I grow up.
I still have his mug on my desk and his picture on my wall, along with King Friday and Daniel Tiger.
I still share the core values he lived.
I still long to grow stronger in the things he was so naturally good at like humility, gentleness and ... Read More
