I've been a people pleaser. A smile permanently painted on my face in every public situation for the pleasure of others—even when offended or treated cruelly. People pleasing didn't make me kind or self-sacrificial—it left me bitter, angry, even thought myself better than others. It wasn't humility—it was hypocrisy. What a time we face today.... Continue Reading →
We were the least likely couple. And for good reason. In this picture, we walked out double doors thinking we held the future in our hands. Life was a party, and we were its guests. Six years in, I was the first to want to quit. On us, my kids, my life. Reality was hard.... Continue Reading →
I couldn’t get how suffering was actually good for me. Of all the things I do in the name of strong and healthy, suffering never sounded vitally important. Take your vitamins, eat your vegetables, plenty of water, walk, rest, sunlight. But suffering? "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." Hebrews 5:8 My... Continue Reading →
One of the hardest things is not knowing what comes next. Especially when threats reach our doorstep. Generally, lists have a way of herding our steps. Whether on paper or written in our heads, patterns and boundaries seem to drive the hours. Plans, reservations, appointments. What’s on the schedule? What’s not on the schedule? Then... Continue Reading →
Reading Dr Seuss before bed has become our thing. Grandpa is in charge of tickle-tests, 4-wheelers, Oreos and milk. Climbing up, we snuggle under blankets and sheets one, two, three. Eager at what we know is coming: shoulder to shoulder giggling over zany characters, tongue twisters, elephants in trees. Lights burn way past bedtime, laughter... Continue Reading →
I’ve little interest in Christmas. I’m excited about Christ. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t have a tree. But I love the man who carries this stuff up. Meticulously picking each piece out. Humming and singing as he goes. Gathering and printing addresses. Stamping and mailing cheer wishes. Though not about presents and... Continue Reading →
First the bitter. I’ve never lost a loved one, before today. Sunken eyes, dragging form cause me to fear this will be the last moments all four of us will be together. Once we cover recent therapies and medical realities, we hear his hoarse voice faintly say, “I’m reading Job. In chapter 5 today.” Glancing... Continue Reading →
"Movement is life." He said it like it was gospel. I guess if you’re needing a chiropractor, it's what you want to hear. Still, his comment hung hollow in the air. "Listen to your body. It tells you what it needs." Those were the words that touched a nerve. All day I'd been questioning what... Continue Reading →
We had to do something. Filling two grocery carts, we carried 25 bags of mercy door to door on the poorest side of town. Bought styrofoam container of mud and worms for the young robin abandoned in the gutter—because we couldn’t watch one more senseless death. Still breathing here. Holding on and handing out because... Continue Reading →
JoAnn Downs Alo 