Redemption is one of my favorite themes to encounter in fiction . . . and in real life! An essay in the Oxford Handbook of English Literature defines redemption this way: “Redemption is a powerful and uplifting theme that acknowledges the human potential to succeed after having failed. Theological understandings of it focus on how… Continue Reading
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day—possibly the most polarizing day of the year. While this holiday has its devotees (of which I am one), its detractors are a vocal and rather vicious bunch. I get it. Despite claims to the contrary, Valentine’s Day is a real holiday and not just a construct of Hallmark’s marketing team. But… Continue Reading
Though I don’t write about it often, our efforts to grow our family have been a prominent part of my life for the better part of a year. I wish that I could relegate secondary infertility to just a small corner of my life, but the unfortunate truth is that this “thorn in the flesh” manages to weasel… Continue Reading
A quick note of business: since I am not participating in a reading challenge in 2019, I now have a bit more wiggle room in my blogging calendar for some book-themed posts beyond my monthly Quick Lit review roundups. This post is the first in a monthly series featuring books that are deserving of extra… Continue Reading
I just love the fresh start of a new year, but as a goal-driven perfectionist and a rule follower, I have a complicated history with New Year’s resolutions. In my younger years, I would set ambitious goals for myself every January 1 (because that’s what you do!), then spend months struggling to keep up. Some… Continue Reading
Last year—2017—was a hard year for me. Looking back, I view it as my Great Year of Deconstruction. Belief systems and false idols I’d established for myself came crashing down around me, and I was forced to take a hard look at everything I thought I knew and believed about myself and my world. I… Continue Reading
Who or what is the most important voice speaking into your life today? Is it a friend, a spouse, a teacher, a pastor, the Lord? Hold an image of that individual in your mind for a moment, pondering their significance. Now, imagine that that voice—of your friend, spouse, pastor, teacher, God—has suddenly vanished. Where… Continue Reading
“When I was younger, I always thought life would be mostly good with some hard parts. But I’m starting to realize it’s the other way around. Life is actually mostly hard, with some good parts sprinkled in.” I nodded in agreement when I heard Annie F. Downs say this in a recent podcast interview. I… Continue Reading
If you’ve been following along with me this year, you know that one of my goals for 2018 was to memorize a verse or short passage of Scripture every month. This wasn’t the first time I’ve set this goal, but my experience this year was far deeper and richer than any other time I’ve memorized… Continue Reading
“How glorious the splendor of a human heart that trusts that it is loved!” ~ Brennan Manning Continue Reading