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Kindness to Myself
Isn’t it funny that we’re taught to be kind to everyone, except ourselves? I see “Be kind; everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about” signs and messages all around. I wonder why we exclude ourselves from everyone. Why can we be so unkind to ourselves while taking pride in extending kindness to others?…
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Gifted, Not Bad
I recall a moment in elementary school when I pushed a boy, not realizing I pushed him right where he had stitches. I also recall getting into trouble at school for it. The next thing I remember is being sent to another school on the other side of town. I thought it was a school…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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You Don’t Have to Look Like What You’ve Been Through
I don’t look like what I’ve been through. That’s the thought that keeps coming to mind after several discussions with someone I’ve recently met. At one point they said something like, “Look at you. You look like you’ve had the best life.” I gave them a rundown of a couple things I’ve dealt with in…
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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…
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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…
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My Experience with Church Hurt, Part 2
In Part 1 of this series, I shared how I grew up in church. I also discussed how I poured myself into ministry. Eventually, I reached a breaking point. It left me burned out and disillusioned. Walking away was both freeing and unsettling. I didn’t know who I was outside of constant church involvement. Part…
