In July 2001, Tim McGraw had a hit single called “Angry All the Time.” It was from his Set This Circus Down album, and it was a cover of a song originally written and recorded by Bruce Robison in 1998. The song was about a marriage falling apart. A man remembering the woman he loved,… Continue reading In the Words of a Country Music Song
I was on vacation the first time I tasted popovers. They looked like extra tall muffins with inflated tops, and they were still warm from the oven, served with butter and jam. They were a revelation. I come from a people of dense and solid breads – banana bread, biscuits, cornbread – and I deeply… Continue reading It’s Not About the Popovers
Twenty-five years ago this month, I became a mother. I’ve never done anything else in my life that was so instantaneously earth-shattering. The memories of that first year are a mixture of hours and days that flew by in an exhausted blur, and moments that seem etched on my mind – holding her as she… Continue reading Show Her the Way Home
I’ve been teaching a class of 2nd-5th graders on Sunday morning for the past few months. The class takes place at the same time as our regular church service because we haven’t had actual class time in over a year. Like every other congregation this past year, ours has been turned on its head. But… Continue reading Adventures in Sunday School
I would especially like to remember the first time I heard the story of the crucifixion and resurrection. Or more precisely, remember the first time I understood what those words meant.
This winter has been a long one, a bitterly cold one – colder than I remember us having in quite some time. And the past twelve months have been long and bitter months. Colder and more bitter than many of us have ever known. Full of confusion. Full of fear. Full of sadness. It’s been… Continue reading Spring is Coming
My parenting job changed again without me realizing it. And there I was, feeling like I was finally starting to get pretty good at the current job, never noticing that I wasn’t needed anymore in that position. It always seems to change just when I feel like I might be getting the hang of it.… Continue reading The Coach
Every day I forget who I belong to. Every day I forget whose image I am made in. Every day I forget that this world is not my home. I get overanxious and overwhelmed and begin to believe that the things of this world are real and important and true. Appearances and accomplishment. Status and… Continue reading Remembering the Things I Know
I know this may be difficult to accept, but I have done extensive research into the matter. I have, in fact, personally participated in over 50 case studies. So, in spite of the potential controversy, I feel qualified to make this statement. January can be hard. There. I said it. January, as a month, as… Continue reading January Again
Have you ever tried to pick up a guinea pig that did not want to be picked up? If not, let me just tell you – it is not an easy thing to do. A reluctant guinea pig will scamper and squirm and hop and twist and buck like a miniature, fluffy bronco. Also, guinea… Continue reading Reluctant Guinea Pig
