Originally posted on The Uncommon Normal It’s funny how we can breeze through our lives, believing so many beautiful, core truths about ourselves without ever realizing—some things are only true because they’ve never been tested. It’s funny how we can breeze through our lives, believing so many beautiful, core truths about ourselves without ever realizing—some…
“Freedom is the moment we grant ourselves permission to take the long way.” I’ve never been a fan of taking the long way — at least on purpose. I tend to be a shortest route, fastest time, quickest span between two points kind of person. But in July 2021, we sold our home. My husband, kids, dogs,…
“I’m giving myself permission to sit this round out.” It took me way too long to learn that it’s okay to write your own permission slip when it comes to relationships — for a lot of reasons. To start, I’m a first-born, recovering overachiever. I’m also a raging empath, which makes me especially prone to…
When we got home after our sons died, we walked through the front door with empty arms and shattered hearts. All we had left was a blue box. We were told it included memories of our sons that the nurses had prepared. It was supposed to help us with the grief that would overwhelm us…
“I’ve learned that we need to examine closely the seeds planted in childhood; those early dreams might be the best indicator of where we can find life and fulfillment now.” When I was in the fourth grade, my dream was to become a writer. That year, I won a story writing contest. My piece…
I NEVER thought I would be a worship leader. I taught myself to play guitar in high school, drawn to the acoustic sound and romantic images of songs strummed by the campfire. As I mastered more chords, I would occasionally play for a small bible study group — but that was just a couple of songs…
“Freedom is recognizing that healing is a journey — not a destination.” I’ve spent much of the last four years navigating through significant and unexpected trauma with several important, foundational relationships in my life. The losses piled up high and at a dizzying pace. When I finally came out of the haze and took emotional inventory…
For years, I had one rule when I went to amusement parks: NEVER go on the thrill-seeking, height-defying rides. Personally, I don’t like to feel terrified for the “fun” of it. Also, I have a propensity for motion sickness and an inherited curvature of my spine, held firm by a large metal rod. My body can’t take…
Up until the start of 2015, I never could have imagined that the three members of my little family would each be living in a different city for nearly two years. My daughter had just turned 16, my husband had a good job, and I had a nice daily routine. Then she was introduced (not…
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. – Habakkuk 1:5 That scripture stood out as I read my Bible on a Sunday morning in June 2004 while sitting in my Chevy Astro van with the odometer reading a bit over 177,000 miles.…