Know God. Live Big.
“You’re taxes are done,” she said over the phone. Cue fight-or-flight reaction. I was terrified about our taxes this year (as opposed to just being afraid the other years.) Our circumstances had changed drastically, in addition to the new tax law changes. We had made adjustments to our quarterly tax payments, but in my wildest imagination, I pictured the accountant… Read More
“Here’s your packet of music,” she said. “I recommend that you practice using the piano soft pedal, because most of the students can’t sing that loud. Plus the pianos we use for festival aren’t all that great sounding. Also, you should practice the songs using the metronome, because it can be challenging to go from song to song changing tempos…. Read More
He was an elderly Black man, and we always inwardly celebrated when it was his turn to lead the congregation of Miller Heights Baptist Church in corporate prayer. We called him Brother Charlie. Dear Lord, he prayed. Thank you for shakin’ my feeble body and wakin’ me up this mornin’. With Texas accent added to sincerity of heart, he always… Read More
Earlier in the year I came across a life-changing statement in a book I was reading, and it was almost my birthday, so I called that girl of mine and asked her if she would paint the quote on the wall in my kitchen, above the window. Does it have to be paint? she said. No. Do whatever you want,… Read More
Interesting point in the sermon Saturday night, from that preacher man of mine. (My uncle mocked my reference to the “preacher man”, and I told him he was saying it wrong. It’s preacher man, the way a teenage girl says a guy’s name because she hopes he asks her to the prom or even notices her from across the room…. Read More
They all said it would take three years to be successful. Can you blog about your subject for three years? they said. At the time, I had only hit “publish” on seven blog posts, so three years seemed like forever. Could I sit down and write about who God was in my life for 156 weeks in a row? Now it… Read More
After stopping at my daughter and son-in-law’s apartment in Bozeman, the halfway point on my way to visit my mom in Wyoming, I packed up my suitcase in the morning and pulled it over snow-covered sidewalks to my car. Driving out of the parking lot, I took the detour around a construction site on the MSU campus. There wasn’t much… Read More
I war with the boys who like the living room to be on the cave-ish side of things–curtains pulled and nary a lamp string pulled. Hands on hips, I stand before them and say, How can you boys stand this! (Rhetorical.) I throw open curtains and switch on every lamp available. They groan like I’ve ruined their entire lives. I… Read More
The temperature was 90 degrees outside, but I spent all day under a blanket, with chills and body aches. Worse than a summer flu, though, was summer anxiety. I found myself feverish of body and mind, worrying about what this next year will look like. I prayed about this all day, so wishing God would show up in my living room and lay… Read More
My book proposal is on my agent’s desk right now. A few days ago she said she was looking at it and would get back to me soon. And so goes this conversation with my husband: ME: I haven’t heard back from my agent yet. MATT: What do you think is happening? ME: She hates my book proposal and thinks… Read More