Life as we know it has irrevocably changed. It will never be “normal” again. Many of us have experienced irreplaceable shifts and traumatic turns since the world shut down in the early part of 2020. Since then, we’ve been on a collective swing to move back to “normal,” even when we don’t openly admit it. School, work, faith gatherings, social get-togethers, and our home life have all been affected by an unpredictable, ever-morphing, minuscule virus that has transformed life as we know it. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a rise in domestic violence, suicide, loneliness, entitled behavior, and overworking. However, we’ve also … Read More
Not Like You Pictured
Close your eyes for a sec…come on, you know you’ve been looking for an excuse to get some shut eye in-indulge me. Close your eyes and remember the life you wanted, the one when you were a shorter version of yourself with no bills to pay and only your snack choices to contend with. What did you really want? A pony? A house filled with toys? All of the ice cream and cookies your guardians deemed were inappropriate for breakfast? Keep your eyes closed. (I know virtually impossible if you’re going to continue reading, so multitask 😜). Let’s grow up … Read More
Time To Get Unstuck
We’re almost out of the nightmare that was 2020. It’s insane to contemplate the sheer magnitude and speed these past 366 days have encompassed (because of course this year was a leap year 🙄). The hope that we would have returned to some semblance of normalcy by autumn, seems a distant memory now as we “celebrated” Thanksgiving and our Savior’s birth with fewer places at the table and the buffering of the WiFi. For many, this year felt like trying to run in mud…you think you’re making progress, but you’re only creating a wider landing ground for when you land … Read More
2020: It’s Not Me, It’s You
Welcome Back. As this is my first entry in almost a year, I started to fill it with excuses rooted in the harsh reality that has encompassed quite possibly one of the most painful seasons I’ve encountered since losing my husband over a decade ago. Raw anguish. Deep grief. Hopelessness. Those have been the descriptors of most of the past few years. Writing was the furthest thing from my mind. I just could not bring myself to document what was literally killing me. So I ran. I ignored the incessant urge to surrender to my calling, and went into survivor … Read More
I Thought It Would Be Better By Now
Grief and pain can look like this…tears aren’t always a precursor to depression and utter sorrow. Sometimes, it looks like a well coifed and dressed, faith-filled, prayer warrior. Just because I trust God, doesn’t mean I’m immune to pain or that I don’t fear what I can’t see. Believing in Christ doesn’t make tragedy skip my address; sometimes it seems to turn the porch light on for it-if I’m honest. Walking with Christ means that I’m close to Him in every way, I experience intimacy and joy like I never knew possible, but I also know terror, fear, and heartbreak … Read More
Lessons from the Storm
Have you been riding the Game of Thrones train? No spoilers ahead in case you haven’t; I was recently introduced to the collection and can’t believe it took me this long. (hand on face emoji) I have actually been attempting to read the series and watch it simultaneously…definitely not as easy as I had previously envisioned, but oh so worth it. One of my favorite and main characters is Daenerys Stormborn of the House Targaryen, First of Her Name…continued with a list of about 8 or more other titles. Her “middle” name of sorts, Stormborn, immediately captured my attention. She … Read More
This Time, You Win
This is the month it happens. This time you will see it. Your sweat equity, work, hustle, and hopes come to fruition in this chapter. What’s so different about this instance? Why should everything finally work after years of rejection and denials? What changed this time around? You did. You want it badly enough. You’ve finally had enough of letting fear antagonize you. You’re done with allowing your insecurities to boss you around. You’re tired of watching life pass you by and telling yourself, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” You might cringe as you read this, because you’ve been down this … Read More