In the first few years I played softball, I’d often drop a pop-fly or miss a simple grounder. Although I made countless mistakes, they didn’t change my identity. I was a softball player. I wore the uniform, I trained, I played, and I improved. Over time, my muscles strengthened in technique and my mind strategized […]

I knew I had to drink more water. My skin was dry, my stomach was queasy, and I had more headaches than usual. I bought a planner with a monthly habit tracker and set a goal of drinking two bottles of water each day. But the boxes on my habit tracker didn’t get checked as […]

Delivering Flowers Growing up around my family’s flower shop has taught me some important life lessons. Practically speaking, I can tell you the off-season price of a peony or how to best hydrate hydrangeas. My parents and grandparents modeled customer service through servant leadership, seeking to celebrate customers’ greatest joys and deepest sorrows. Even spiritually […]

The Paradox of Prayer Growing up in the church, one sentiment I heard a thousand times was “I’ll be praying for you.” Along with reading the Bible, praying seemed to be the Sunday School answer to what a Christian person should do. So, when I was a little girl, I made a list of all […]

The Church is the People The Church is facing an interesting and challenging circumstance today. How do we practice ministry without the gift of presence? My pastor keeps reminding us that the Church is the people—not the building! But, doing ministry without the building is proving to be a challenge. I keep coming back to […]