Tags Archives

in joy

Does What You’re Doing Really Count?

This last week didn’t quite go exactly as planned. I’m guessing that’s happened to you too in the recent past. You plan to stay on schedule. But the only thing that sticks to its guns is a blasted headache that ruins your day. You plan to work out and get outdoors more. But the only thing that takes ...

Good Moms Yell Too?

Here’s a dark and somewhat dirty secret . . . Moms yell. We do It’s not something we talk about often. It’s not something we choose to display on social media. It’s not something we want on our parenting resumes. It remains tucked away because there’s shame attached to it. After all, other moms don’t raise their voices and completely lose it with ...

Does Your Face Light Up?

A Letter To My Daughter Inspired By Toni Morrison  Hey sweet girl, We’ve been at home together a long while now. Inseparable almost - and not always by choice. Lessons have been canceled, birthday parties are on Zoom, church is on Facebook, and school online. In our packed-like-sardines situation, I ask myself the question that the brilliant Toni ...

This Middle Part of Childhood is Just as Good

Hey kids, I love where you’re at right now. Like, right this moment. No, it’s not because both of you are tucked in bed, the sweetness of sleep wrapping you up like a down comforter. It just quietly dawned on me that this stage in your lives is incredibly fun. In a few months, one of you will be ...

Let God do the Deep Cleaning

Sweat drips down my forehead. My glasses slide down my nose. Splotch. A bead of sweat is now on my glasses. Uugh. This is so not fun. I wipe my face on my really-should-be-trashed t-shirt and go back to sweeping the floor. I have been at this 43 minutes already. Forty-three minutes of cleaning every nook and ...

Girl On A Roller Coaster

Fourteen-year-old girls are supposed to be sassy. They’re supposed to roll their eyes at you and slam doors and lose themselves in a world of text messages and teenage drama. They aren’t supposed to be the subjects of blogposts about inspiring individuals. But this kid? This one is different. She’s a teenager who has nothing but gentle words ...

The Joy of Interruption

A few weeks ago, while enjoying a relatively quiet house, thinking of article topics to wax eloquent on, I chanced upon the idea of “joyful interruptions.” I started jotting down ideas, making notes on the topic, and researching Bible verses and quotes. I had a full day ahead of me packed with writing assignments, chores, meal planning, ...

Joy List

  “Mama, can we go downstairs now?” my little one pipes up at about 5 pm every evening. “Maybe later. I’m busy,” comes my vague response. “But, why? Please!! Pleeeeese, mama!” the mini drama queen continues. “You said yesterday we could go. You never take us down to play anymore.” The pleading, guilt trips and negotiations continue till chores ...
MEET SUSAN

I love words. But you probably figured that out by now, considering this website essentially collates my words on the web. Read More…