Category: Faith & Spirituality

  • Patient to a Fault

    Patient to a Fault

    I hear the phrase, “patient to a fault,” often. I always thought of it as a badge of honor. But as I get older, I realize that the meaning behind that phrase can be good or bad. It can mean that you have patience in situations where others would have a hard time finding patience,…

  • I Am a Christian—But Not Like That

    I Am a Christian—But Not Like That

    I am a Christian. And I am not ashamed – even if, at times, the way others carry that label makes me want to be. I believe in living a life that is worthy of that label.And still, I make bad decisions.I stumble.I fall. Christianity does not make me perfect. I do not have all…

  • Healing Without the Hoops – My MS Journey: Part 3

    Healing Without the Hoops – My MS Journey: Part 3

    The Beginning When I was first diagnosed, I encountered some in my family and my faith community who had a whole lot to say to me. I know these people love me and want the best for me, so please know that I am not saying that people were spiteful or intentionally trying to be…

  • A Diagnosis – My MS Journey: Part 2

    A Diagnosis – My MS Journey: Part 2

    In March of 2018, I had some doctor appointments to figure out what was going on with me.  One was to my allergist because I had what I thought to be recurring sinus infections.  My normal doctor was out that day and a different doctor saw me. I believe this was divine intervention getting me…

  • The Day My World Shifted – My MS Journey: Part 1

    The Day My World Shifted – My MS Journey: Part 1

    March is MS Awareness month. This series is an updated version of my MS journey. It started with a moment I didn’t understand. This was followed by months of symptoms. I tried to explain them away. Eventually, I received a diagnosis that changed how I see my body, my faith, and myself. What you’re about…

  • Anxiety

    Anxiety

    Anxiety, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, is an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear, often marked by physical signs and self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope. This topic seems to be all around me. It feels huge when it shows up in real life. I’ve had my own run-ins with anxiety. Somewhere along…

  • Agree as Touching

    Agree as Touching

    I heard the statement, “Let’s touch and agree,” so much when I was growing up. A hand outstretched, reaching for another hand. At least two people join together in agreement to make a request to God. One day, I read the scripture for myself, and I was changed. Matthew 18:19-20 (King James Version): “Again I say…

  • Be Grateful

    Be Grateful

    There are plenty of scriptures that emphasize gratitude as part of a Christian’s lifestyle. But I shouldn’t really need a scripture to tell me to be grateful. Out of the blue, the song “Be Grateful” by Walter Hawkins was in my head in the shower one morning. It was a staple in our family when…

  • My Experience with Church Hurt, Part 4

    My Experience with Church Hurt, Part 4

    This is the final part of my series on church hurt. In the first three posts, I shared experiences that reshaped how I view community, leadership, and trust within the church. This last post isn’t about the wound — it’s about the healing. It’s about what I’ve learned, what I’ve released, and how God has…

  • My Experience with Church Hurt, Part 3

    My Experience with Church Hurt, Part 3

    Hurt…Again When we found our new church in 2016, I thought the hard part was over. I was hopeful—maybe even a little naive. I wanted this to be the place where healing turned into belonging. But healing isn’t always linear, and community can be both beautiful and complicated. A New Church, A New Hope I…