The first time I got my nose pierced, I knew my family would freak out. And they did. Grandma quoted Old Testament Bible verses to me and asked me why I wanted to look “crazy”. Mom cried (not in front of me, but later) and asked if it was permanent. I was 22 years old.…

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14) As someone who grew up in the church, these verses are very familiar to me. It’s a passage I’ve read…

Her hands wrap around my calves as she pushes her head past my knees, peeking out in play as I pour my morning coffee. It’s 5:30am, and she surrounds me with obligations I feel I can’t uphold. The weight of motherhood is in my mouth, my eyes, my shoulders. How can I drink my coffee…

As an adolescent, my dad had a unique way of getting into my head before I left the house. He was never much of a lecturer, but he did have a way of getting his point across without saying much. Instead of telling me that he didn’t approve of the clothes I was wearing, the…

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Did people ask you this when you were little? Do you remember your answer? I had many answers, but for quite a long time I had a big dream of being a singer. Not only did I WANT to be a singer, but I PRACTICED…

Do you long to hear God’s voice? Take heart, he is speaking to you. From Genesis to Revelation, God repeatedly reveals himself to people through things like dreams, visions, metaphors, angels, his audible voice, and a burning bush. All throughout scripture, he demonstrates his heart’s desire to reveal himself to his children. I believe God…

Ok ladies. I don’t know about you, but I always dread when my kids start asking me, “What’s for dinner?” Like how am I supposed to feed you 3,000 times a day and keep coming up with new ideas? Last fall I embarked on a mission to get back in shape and eat healthier as…

When I was a brand new mom, I thought I was going to be different than other moms – I would be patient and able to reason with my children; I would be able to gently teach them in all subject matters. Oh yes, that was the plan! Then we had four kids … and…

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9) “Royal Priesthood.” That sounds important. Glamorous, even. It’s easy to say yes to God’s calling on our lives when…

Once there was a beautiful castle on a beautiful hill, and a great king lived there. Surrounding the castle was a city full of homes, beautiful parks, and ditches flowing with dirty water. Garbage heaps piled up in dark alleys behind well-lit restaurants. In one of these alleys lived a little girl. No one knew…