"Plot twist!" It's what I yell out in the middle of a chaotic day. It's what I mutter to myself when I've blocked off writing time only to discover my three year old has found a sharpie and is chasing the cat through the house threatening to give him a new fur-do. "Plot twist" is what I choke out with a cringe when I'm scheduled to speak at an event but sense the tell-tale signs of a migraine screaming in to ruin the day. "Plot twist" is what I sigh when the checking account is too low for comfort, or…

"Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat." ~Mother Teresa Close your eyes. I want you to picture this in your mind. You stand staring at a condemned house. Weeds and ivy have taken over the land. Broken glass litters the ground. A window in front is boarded shut with splintered wood. The windows upstairs are broken and dark. The roof is caving in and the entire structure is in shambles. Everything about the house resembles death, darkness, danger and…

On Wednesday nights, I'm teaching a group of teen girls about being God's princess. We've used classic fairy tales as a springboard into learning what it means to be an heir with Christ. It's been a fun and exciting study, and now we're embarking on a new princess. A less famous princess than some: the poor, exhausted girl from The Princess and the Pea.  Remember her story? Through a series of misfortunes, she arrives drenched and mud-splattered at an enormous castle. In her disheveled state, the king and queen doubt her claims of royalty and, as a test, the queen…

When we started on this home school journey two years ago, I was a nervous wreck but incredibly excited. I had visions of ripe little minds growing into mature little models of exemplary citizens. I envisioned smiles, serene contentment, and---okay, I'll just say it---I pictured the school from Little House on the Prairie. You know, the one room school house where all the kids behaved and the teacher was always pretty and sweet. I'm currently teaching a twelve year old girl, a ten year old girl, and a very rambunctious three year old boy. Little House on the Prairie we're…

I've had to learn some things the hard way. After years of exhaustion, of disappointment, of hiding behind my masks, of dark depression, I've learned that people pleasing may always be a battle for me. A daily battle. It's a lie that I believed for far too long---mainly, that approval and love are the same thing. However, as God has peeled back layer after layer of my masks and choices, He has helped me understand that approval and love are not the same thing at all. They are, in fact, polar opposites. I'm finally starting to realize my worth in…

"I can't do this. I don't know how."  "It's too hard. I'm not any good at this kind of stuff." "I'm not qualified." "I'm too old." "I'm too young."  "What if I fail?" "People will laugh at me." "It's too risky." "There are people better at this than I am." Do any of these excuses sound familiar? I confess, several of them, if not all of them, have found their way into my but-I-can't repertoire at some point. So insecure. So scared. Sometimes, just so lazy. The older I get, the more I'm learning this simple, terrifying truth: usually, what…