"You're awfully quiet tonight," my friend said from across the table as we waited for our Thursday night Bible study to begin. He was used to me teaching and helping with events like this one—and even as a participant, I’m rarely short on words. But this evening was...
Startled awake by yet another nightmare, my body jolts into alertness. Each night, my subconscious paints vivid images, and my body wrestles as if they are real. My heart races. Sleep feels impossible. I yearn to feel safe. When my flesh feels far from God's promises, I...
Yesterday’s motivation and energy stared back at me from the long list of ideas sitting on my table. I had worked late into the evening the night before. And with each completed task, I added another—writing them down so I wouldn’t forget by morning. But when morning...
I have one cool plant in my yard - a lilac bush planted by a previous owner. Each spring, fragrant pale purple flowers bloom, filling the air with their beautiful scent. I adore this plant. For the past few years, it has faithfully blossomed. I’ve clipped blooms...
Reaching into the sweetener bowl at a coffee shop, I picked up a packet. The slogan on it read, “Always trust in yourself.” I’m not sure why sugar packets are now dispensing pep talks, but I have to disagree with this one. We cannot trust in ourselves. As followers...
The sun reflected off my blonde hair like a beacon, inviting strangers to stare. On the busy Asian street, the locals strained their necks to see me, a foreign teenager with light hair, blue eyes, and fair skin. Many approached cautiously, reaching their hands out, requesting to...
I stared out the window of the moving train, mesmerized by the unfamiliarity of everything before me. The writer in me longed to pull out my phone and document the foreign nature of this place. Reaching for it, I glanced around the train. No one else...
Do any of these sound familiar? "I'm a failure." "I'm a disappointment." "I'm weak." "I'm nothing." Or maybe you hear “I’m all by myself. I’m unlovable. I’m not good enough.” We all have lies we hear in our minds, sometimes on constant replay. These lies are accusations, not from God, but whispers straight...
The view outside my window is blanketed in white. Schools and businesses are closed, and for once, there’s no reason to rush out of our cocoon. This pause feels like a gift - white space to rest without guilt when the world itself slows down. Rest is...