This time of year overflows with expectancy. Yes, we’re all counting down the days until Christmas morning, when we’re with friends and family. When we can finally dig into our stockings and tear into the brightly wrapped presents. Sit back and savor the sound of laughter and the presence of our loved ones. But if we push past the expectancy …
The 12 Authors of Christmas Giveaway
It’s the first day of December and what better way to begin the holiday season than with a giveaway? The giveaway is appropriately named “The 12 Authors of Christmas” because 11 writing friends and I put together a fun prize package. As I looked at all the smiling faces on the festive graphic designed by the oh-so talented Angie Dicken, …
In Others’ Words: Waiting for Christmas
As a child, we wait for Christmas, don’t we? And then as we grow up, we’re counting days, too. We see it on funny little signs in stores — thank you, merchants who want our business — and nowadays it pops on Facebook. And then come December, we count the day with family calendars. My youngest daughter used little felt pieces — angels, …
In Others’ Words: Choosing to be Grateful or Graceful
There’s honesty in author Richard Carlson’s words: The trick is to be grateful when your mood is high and graceful when it is low.” We all experience highs and lows. We love to talk about the highs, but sometimes we keep our lows hidden. My Thanksgiving Day didn’t go off exactly as I planned. Yes, the house was filled with loved …
In Others’ Words: A Thanksgiving Prayer
Thanksgiving Day is the day after tomorrow. I paused for a moment after I wrote that sentence … caught my breath and thought, Is that correct? Thanksgiving is that close? Yes, it is. I spent Monday grocery shopping, prepping for Wednesday, when family comes over and helps with the day-before cooking. That’s a newer family tradition that makes Thanksgiving Day much more relaxed. We’ll …
In Others’ Words: Future Trust
Sometimes things just take time. I know today’s quote by theologian Henri Nouwen talks about “the fruits of [our] labors,” and yes, there are times when our efforts don’t pay off right away. Months, maybe. Even years. You’re a fine, upstanding employee … but the promotion doesn’t happen. You do all the right “writerly” things — attend conferences, rewrite manuscripts, pay …
In Others’ Words: Chasing the Dream
It’s the middle of November, which means I’m thinking of Thanksgiving … and then Christmas … and then the New Year is is fast approaching. Are you feeling breathless yet? This is the time of year I often look forward and backward at the same time. I consider what I wanted to accomplish during the past year — did my dreams …
In Others’ Words: You, Yourself, and the World
My daughter CJ has been part of her high school Varsity volleyball team for the past few months. This weekend, my husband and I will be in Denver cheering them on as they compete for the 3A State title. Here’s one thing I’ve learned about the team: Each member knows their place on the team — what their job is, so to speak, as an offensive …
In Others’ Words: Questioning Faith
I know this is election day in the U.S. — but this is not an election day post. I don’t do politics on this blog or any other social media. I did vote, in case you’re wondering. And I did pray about the election. One thing I do know is, come what may today, tomorrow, the next day … God …
In Others’ Words: Practicing Gratitude
It’s November, the month when our thoughts more easily turn toward thankfulness. After all, this is the month when we have an entire day devoted to giving thanks — and weeks to prepare for the celebration. And yet, isn’t it true that when we want a reason to be thankful we don’t have to chase after “extraordinary moments” of happiness? …