on the blog
Hope vs. Fingers Crossed
I was just about to hit the “Send” button on a text to my friend wishing her a Happy New Year when I saw the emoji suggestion appear above the digital keyboard. I can’t remember a time when an emoji elicited a visceral reaction in me, but in an instant, my heart sank. The word highlighted in my text message was “hope.” And the emoji that popped up as a suggestion to replace it? Two
Manifesting gods vs. God Made Manifest
Her hands shook as she covered her mouth, tears filling her eyes. She stood at the microphone and tried to speak but all that came was nervous laughter and apologies. The celebrity talk-show host, her idol, was just a few feet from her and waiting patiently to hear her question. As she continued to struggle, the tears flowed and her idol came to her, wrapping her in a hug. They parted and finally, the young
Snipe Hunting
It seems I’ve spent the past few winter months snipe hunting. No, I haven’t fallen for that practical joke where I find myself carrying a bag and a stick into the woods making funny noises to attract a snipe. But I have been spending my spare time and much of my mental energy trying to answer questions such as: What IS “the thing about Pam”? What was Elizabeth Holmes’s (“The Dropout”) true motivation in running
What Are You Waiting For?
It was a Sunday morning soon after the new year in 2020 and my pastor was nearing the end of his sermon. I don’t remember the particular topic or the scripture from which he was preaching but I do remember that his gaze seemed to zero in on me as he issued the following challenge to the congregation: “Some of you know what God has called you to do. You know the direction He wants
Fighting the “-ites”
My sister knows me well. For my birthday last year, she gave me the perfect gift combining two of my favorite things… the popular TV show, NBC’s “The Office,” and Lego. This Lego set provided all I needed to recreate in great detail: front reception, Jim and Dwight’s desk clump, and Michael Scott’s office of the fictional Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. To say I was thrilled would be an understatement. I was as giddy as
Willing to Lose
The buzzer sounded, our huddle broke, and my starting line up scurried onto the basketball court. I took my seat at the head of the bench and tried to look confident. My 5’9″ freshman center looked over at me, tears forming in her eyes, as she walked towards the circle at mid-court. You got this, I mouthed, my brow furrowed and my fist feigning a sign of strength. She entered the circle along with the