Getting ready to hang up the phone, my parents mentioned that they knew it would be me when the phone rang earlier. “How did you know?” I asked. “Because it’s a Tuesday, and you’re dependable.” While our weekly chats to catch up on life do go through seasons,...
Uncertain of when I’d see her again, I wrapped my arms a little tighter as I said goodbye—three years had passed since we last rehearsed this scene. Years separate our visits, but each plays out the same - warm embraces, soul-refreshing conversations, laughter, and tears, followed...
Standing in a small circle, we took turns introducing ourselves. We were strangers from different churches, different backgrounds, and different stages of life, brought together for one week to serve on a mission project. We knew very little about one another. But we all had one...
Familiar butterflies in my stomach took flight the closer I got to the meeting. Tempted to turn around, I forced each step into the room. Why was this so hard? I wanted to be there, but I was meeting someone new and I had no idea how...
"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...
With each stop, people got on but no one seemed to be getting off. The crowded train continued rapidly from stop to stop. One by one, people squeezed on to the train barely making eye contact with one another. The passengers all headed in the same...
I could feel the flood of emotions welling up inside of me. Searching the crowded room, I prayed the tears would stay tightly packed behind my eyelids. I had no desire to explain why I was crying to the women I see weekly at my...
Awakening from a deep sleep, something felt different in my room. There was an energy and a presence I could sense...
Dashing across the parking lot, I ran into the building and slid into the room just as things were starting. Having risen early after a week of busy days and late nights, I had arrived at a local children's mission to volunteer for the day. If I'm honest, I...