One of the greatest challenges for any writer is a little concept called, “Show! Don’t tell!” If editors and agents were paid a dime for each time they corrected it, I’m guessing many of them would be retired by now! As a reader, you might not notice it—until you read a book that told you things rather than describing them. …
Can’t We Just Get Along?
Do you consider yourself prejudiced—racially biased? I had no idea I held any prejudice in my heart until a precious African-American friend lovingly showed me how my attempts to embrace her actually mirrored historic attempts at forced conformity. I thought respecting her as an equal meant saying, “You are no different than me.” Not true. To truly respect my dear …
Measuring Stick
I hate trick questions. Can God create a rock too big to move? Ummmmm. I’ll bet that one never makes it to Jeopardy. How about: Have you stopped nagging your husband? Or worse: Have you stopped beating your wife? There are no good answers for those questions. Speaking of beating your wife…rough transition, but go with me…
Open to Interpretation
My husband and I recently celebrated our twenty-seventh wedding anniversary, and I think one of the greatest things about being married so long is the knowing. I just KNOW him. And vice versa. I don’t have to ask if he likes green beans or Brussels sprouts. He need not ask if I want to watch a movie or go hiking. …
Blue-Collar Praise; White-Knuckle Prayers
I wish I’d kept better records of the doctors I’ve seen and the number of tests run on my various physical symptoms. Until the Spring of 1996, I was as healthy as any young mom—a sniffle or flu bug once or twice a year. But when one particular virus lingered long enough to keep me (the associate pastor’s wife) from …
Making Lemonade
You’ve probably heard the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Well, I’m convinced God has a cosmic-sized juicer with a sugarcane sprinkler from the crystal sea. He makes the sweetest lemonade from the most bitter life lemons! We just need to pay attention. I stopped at the produce market last weekend and purchased three items. Watermelons were …
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