The Blog
[searchandfilter id="4995"]
08.13.2017
Lessons from the Water Park: What is Agape Love?
I blinked against the bright sunshine as happy children squealed around me. Magic Springs was full this particular afternoon. Full of hyped-up children and exhausted parents. Close to fifty little ankle biters scurried around me at the splash pad. Water sprayed in every direction and the scent of chlorine filled my nose. My own little guy had climbed up the stairs and gleefully gone down the slide at least seventy-two times and showed no signs of wearing out. We were in it for the long haul. A four year old with big blue eyes caught my attention as he waddled…
08.07.2017
The Broken Piano
“Great musicians should have only the finest instruments in their homes.” The caustic comment from the piano tuner who had curled up his nose at my old spinet piano has bothered me for fourteen years, though I’ve had a hard time figuring out why. I thought maybe it was the man’s attitude when he entered my home. I had been desperately searching for a tuner willing to take on my pawn shop find but from the moment this guy laid eyes on it, his annoyed smirk told me the piano didn’t meet his criteria. Maybe it was the chipped places…
07.30.2017
When You Can’t See God
Magic Springs wore me out last week. Correction. The heat, combined with my children's nonstop energy, wore me out. The amusement park nestled in the outskirts of Hot Springs, Arkansas is a popular place to take families for summer fun where they can zoom down water slides, swim, splash in freeze zones, play games like bumper cars or catch a ride on numerous pulse-stopping roller coasters. After hours swimming in the hot sun, the older kids wanted to ride a coaster. My friend offered to watch my son play in the kiddie pool while I took one teenager, one preteen,…
07.16.2017
The Thief: The Problem with Comparing
Jean size. That dreaded number on the scale. Checking account balances. Facebook friends. Instagram and Twitter followers. Awards and degrees. Points scored by your child at his last game. Job performance evaluations. So many numbers and none of them are good or bad when rattled off in isolation. The only time we have a problem with any of the above is when we are tempted to compare these numbers to the stats of others. Teddy Roosevelt once said, "Comparison is the thief of joy." So true. Not only is comparison a thief, it's also a terrible judge. Speaking for myself,…
07.02.2017
The Rodeo Clown: Learning to Be Seen
"Tara, why can't you look me in the eye?" My friend's question sliced to the quick. We had been chatting for over forty minutes and the topic had drifted from the mundane to more personal waters. Personal makes me uncomfortable. When I know someone is peeling back layers and taking a peek underneath the mask I work so hard to keep fixed in place, the intensity of their stare is too much. I don't want them to see the trembling mess I am. So I take a sudden interest in my shoes. Or the couch cushion. Or the coffee cup…
06.22.2017
Visiting Fox 16 News
Several of you have asked me about my recent visit to Fox 16 News in Little Rock, AR. The entire staff was so incredibly warm and welcoming and Pat Walker was a true delight. After learning that so many of you requested to watch the interview, Fox 16 graciously sent me the link. Here's a quick look at life, music, writing and what happens when God changes the plan. Enjoy! http://www.fox16.com/klrt-good-day/monday-motivation-tara-johnson/718574289 Blessings, Tara