The Real Question Have you ever been speaking to someone and they ask a question, but you know that's not the real question? This past Sunday at church, we had a guest speaker, a professor at the Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine. His sermon was entitled, "Go and do likewise." It was compelling, and I... Continue Reading →
How To Help Knowing how to help is arguably the most important aspect of actually helping. That’s why people’s first question is, “How can I help?” It’s a critical question because not all action is “help.” Thinking back to when my kids were small and they would “help” me make something - it usually ended... Continue Reading →
Speak Up! When the kids were small, my husband and I always told them to speak up for themselves and others if mistreated. Speaking up and speaking out for what is right not only makes you strong in the face of adversity, it forces you to own what you believe. I used to tell my... Continue Reading →
Situational Ethics One thing I remember most about my childhood was how my mother would rail against "situational ethics." Her interpretation of this societal plague was that people would modify their ethical responsibilities and obligations based on their presented situation. This was problematic because it meant that there were no ethical boundaries that could not... Continue Reading →
For My Children Connotation. Re-education Words matter. Language counts. Do not let them make you believe that all things Black are bad. Even if so much of our vocabulary surrounding darkness makes you feel uneasy. Blackballed blacklisted Blackmailed Blackguard Blackwater Blackouts Black should not be scary; black is beautiful; black is rich; black is health,... Continue Reading →
Sacrifices & Scapegoats I've heard a lot in recent weeks about how the country is so divided now, how the "left" or the "right" have been so "divisive," or how the media is so "divisive." It's a great talking point. I mean, it's wonderful to be able to pin the blame of all the current... Continue Reading →
Cast Aside Artwork And Inspiration My daughter left her art project right where she had been working on it last night - spread out in the middle of the living room floor. It reminded me of the fable, The Scorpion and the Frog - or in this case, the snake and the frog 😉 Fact... Continue Reading →
When I was in fifth or sixth grade, I used to join my mother when she went to Wednesday night bible study at church. In a room full of adults sitting at round tables in the church’s basement, I quietly learned about whatever the pastor wanted to teach that week. It was boring. There was... Continue Reading →
I toyed with the idea of entitling this Jesus Didn't Work A Desk Job, but I changed my mind because desk jobs are hard too - just differently. I was attempting to evoke an image of action. Of force. Of strength. I realized that the best way to do that was to imagine Him in my world... Continue Reading →
When my children fight or argue - I never make them just kiss and make up. I never force them to say “sorry” or shake hands and go about their business. Instead, when they are at loggerheads, feelings are hurt, people are angry and frustrated - I make them stop and think. I ask them... Continue Reading →
We have all felt the sting of being in a situation where we are being attacked, blamed, or assaulted, verbally or physically, and someone you thought was a friend stayed silent - didn't defend or protect you. That feeling is even worse than the feeling of being attacked. When I was about 12 years old,... Continue Reading →
I am privileged enough to be able to go about my day without being targeted for suspicion, violence, or racism ... as long as I go alone. When I take my kids, it’s a different story. People are racist. When I’m with my husband and kids people are more racist. When I am with just... Continue Reading →
