embrace the gray

Do you want to handle it, or do you want me to handle it? I had an idea for a project that I truly hoped would bless my church family, especially the sweet women of our congregation. In my usual way of giving everything my absolute all, I went completely above and beyond. My heart’s deepest desire was simply for them to feel loved and cared for. After finishing the project, I felt such a gentle peace and joy, believing...

Is “church hurt” really a thing? Is “church hurt” really a thing? Reflecting on my own Christian journey, I can honestly say I have been both the victim and the offender within the church. I have criticized, scoffed, and withheld my participation—always believing my reasons were fully justified. Curiously, it is easy to forget the times we have wounded others when we become the ones who are criticized, marginalized,...

It’s Just Rain…Right? Fear is an overwhelming, often crippling weight, and for me, it has lived in the form of storms since I was a child. The terrifying roar of a tornado, or even just the threat of one, brings a deep, trembling anxiety that still grips me today whenever the weather turns unseasonably warm in spring. For years, I allowed that fear to dominate me, constantly watching the news, checking Facebook, and streaming...

The TrouBlessing Coffee Brought Me – Repost Before I counted the cost of purchasing coffee each morning, I would stop almost every day on my way to work. One day as I was pulling into a parking spot, I noticed another young lady pulling in alongside of me. Thinking she might get ahead of me, I quickly put my car in gear, grabbed my purse, keys and phone, and jumped out of the car. I had to beat her to the door. As I walked...

Prayer Changes Things A few years back, my mom’s doctor gently but firmly told us that she could no longer drive herself to appointments. This was a necessary precaution as my mom had an incident that could have resulted in a disastrous situation. She lost consciousness while driving, waking up just in time to avoid a collision with oncoming traffic by pulling into a church parking lot. Her loss of consciousness was a direct...

Me, Me, Me As my time at my job came to a close, I had the wonderful opportunity to train my successor. We spent several months working side-by-side, and it was a true pleasure. Her strong work ethic and quick grasp of new concepts made for a natural and effortless transition. Over the years, I had accumulated my own “tricks of the trade”—small efficiencies and lessons learned the hard way. Initially, I held back...