Do you remember your high school physiology class? These days, the kids might be learning about genetic mutations and how to clone DNA, but when I was in high school, we learned about heredity. The dictionary defines heredity as the passing on of physical or mental characteristics genetically from one generation to another. I find it fascinating to know that …
Timing is Everything
Next month, it’ll be two years since we moved to Tennessee. Our house was built in 1994, and though its bones were good, I couldn’t wait to do some updates to make it ours. A friend once said that I like to mark my territory. Maybe a crude way of putting it, but he’s not wrong. The last owners lived …
Are You Chicken Little or A Child of God?
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering, can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” –Helen Keller. If anyone knew a thing or two about adversity, it was Helen Keller. I’ve heard it said over and over again that these are tumultuous times, but when has adversity not been an …
Back in the Day…
Back in the day… yes, I know, old people start this way when they’re about to tell you how things were during their childhood. I’m not old, however I am closer to 100 than birth, and the gap is closing in at an alarming rate, so bear with me. If you were alive during the 70’s you might remember the …
Jennifer’s Christmas Shopping Tips
Tis the season. The day-after-Thanksgiving news broadcasts focused on Black Friday. The number of people who stood in line for hours to get a “good” deal is absurd to me. Is it only me, or has Thanksgiving become a lost holiday? At least it seems that way if you pay attention to the media. As a rule, I don’t watch …
Amazing Grace
Forgiveness doesn’t come easily in this world of divisiveness and anger. The smallest slight is reason to hold a lifetime of grudges, ruining lives and relationships. So, when my husband received this beautiful video of extended grace, I knew it needed to be shared. You may or may not have followed the story of Dallas police officer Amber Guyger, who …
Purpose-Driven Heart
When I was 20 and preparing for my (first) marriage, my mom urged me to rethink what she felt was a rash decision. She wasn’t against my first husband (that was my dad’s argument) but that I was quitting school. Of course, I threw logic back at her, “But that’s what you did.” What was good for her was good …
Picture Perfect
“One of the main reasons we struggle with insecurity: We’re comparing our behind-the-scenes with everybody else’s highlight reel.”—Steven Furtick #crashthechatterbox I love this quote because it’s so true, especially in today’s society. In my parents’ generation it was about keeping up with the Joneses, but it takes on a whole new level with the implementation of social media. My Space …
Crash the Chatterbox
May I be completely transparent here? When people tell me God speaks to them, I’m more than a little envious. Why them and not me? Is it because I’m not spiritual enough or important enough? Am I not praying correctly or meditating enough (or at all)? Am I too self-involved to hear His still, small voice? If any of you …
If Only They’d Listen!
If you’re like most parents, you pray for your kids. Even if you’re not much of a pray-er, you pray for your kids. When mine were small, I probably prayed more for them to sleep well than anything else, and I’m pretty sure it was for my benefit rather than theirs. The older they got, the more intense the prayers. …
