-
Turn the Page
Part of my morning routine is changing the blocks on my desk calendar to reflect the current date. It’s part of a rhythm that helps ground me before the day fully begins. It’s also the beginning of a habit stack that cues me to read a devotional from Unshakeable by Christine Caine. This book is always open and intentionally sits just behind my desk calendar. Most days, I can read the devotional from the left side of the page or the right side of the page, depending on the date. On some days, however, I have to turn the page to read the devotional. Lately, that simple motion has been…
-
A Declaration of Peace
I haven’t always walked in peace. There have been times in my life when I’ve walked right on the edge – reactive, overextended, bracing for the next emotional hit. Peace was something I prayed for (kind of) but rarely experienced. It felt like this unreachable state, despite me declaring “Peace is the goal“. Yet, over time – and especially in this season – I’ve learned something: Peace is not passive.Peace is a posture.Peace is power. Recently, I picked back up The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer – a study I started nine years ago and never finished. This time, it hits differently! I realized that a war had been…
-
What A High School Student Taught Me About Focus
Earlier this week, I was journaling Scripture. I like to write the verses out exactly as they’re presented, and I always draw a little box around the reference. Nothing fancy, just my way of setting it apart. As I focused on getting my lines straight—more intentional than usual—an old memory showed up. One of those soft, unexpected reminders from a season I hadn’t thought about in a while. I used to teach high school math. On some days, I had to draw shapes or graphs that required decent straight lines. I had a Smart Board, so I could cheat a little—tap a button, drag my finger, and the board would…
-
The Middle Space
No one really talks about this part. The space in between. Where you’re no longer the child who gets tucked in, but not quite the elder everyone defers to. Where your parents are gone, your children are grown or growing, and you find yourself… holding. Holding memories.Holding responsibility.Holding emotions for everyone else, and sometimes none for yourself. It’s a space I never saw coming, and yet here I am. The middle. Not center-stage, not retired from the work. Just standing somewhere between what was and what will be. Parenting while grieving. Grieving while navigating. Navigating while being asked to lead. I’ve buried my parents. I’ve buried my only sibling. I’ve…