Confession: I have a tendency to be a “glass half empty” person. I don’t mean to be that way, and I don’t enjoy it; it just seems to be my natural tendency to see the negative before the positive. For the first time, I’ve really been noticing how much the mood I portray affects the…
Tag: Hope
When Your Soul Feels Dry
Prior to the past few months, I was going through a season of spiritual drought. It was brought on by several things, but I mostly contribute it to being so consumed by the difficulty of daily life during that season that my glance was taken away from God. Have you ever experienced a dry soul…
Present in the Storm
In February, we bought a little 1940s cottage in a town just northwest of Louisville called New Albany. We’ve really fallen in love with it–our street is quiet and peaceful, and the house itself is cozy and full of charm. It has a good-sized backyard with a detached garage that backs up to an alley…
A New View of Gratitude
I frequently see mantras as I’m exploring Pinterest or Instagram illustrating things that, in one way or another, relate to gratitude. These reminders tend to frustrate me, because as much as I desire to pursue gratitude, I find it a difficult concept to relate to everyday life. I understand that we are to thank God…
10 Ways to Kick the Rainy Day Blues
We are having a rough early spring here in Louisville. We’ve had constant overcast skies and rain since last week, and you guys…there is no end in sight. There is only one day of sunshine predicted in the next two weeks!! Last week, I got hit hard by the Rainy Day Blues. It was pretty…
Easter Week: The Gospel is for Outcasts
For some reason, I feel like I am seeing more marketing and promotion around the celebration of Easter than I have ever seen before. Maybe it’s because I’ve always been so busy in past seasons, or maybe stores really are trying to make up for a dip in Christmas sales. Either way, it’s something I’ve…
Be Thou My Vision
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art Thou my best Thought, by day or by night Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord Thou my…
Trusting in Uncertainty
Did I choose the right path? Was I supposed to uproot and start a brand new job? Am I supposed to pursue this career? Should I marry this man? Should I go back to school? Seemingly life-altering decisions are moments in our lives that make us question what it is we were put on this…
Finding Grace in Hard Things
The biggest challenge I’ve ever faced was my first teaching job right out of college. First of all, I was 19 years old. Second of all, I got a job teaching in an inner city school in downtown Indianapolis. Not only was it an inner city school, but it was essentially the district’s last stop…
Relief from the Storm
It’s a beautiful morning. The sun is soaking through the windows, providing bright, welcoming light. The air outside is chilly, but the slightly green grass and cheeriness hold a promise that spring is just around the corner. I’m peering longingly out the window, thinking about warmer weather and the fun memories made in it. The…
Grace Over Guilt 