A Joyful Juxtaposition of Hope: Christmas, the New Year, and them Dawgs!
In this beautiful juxtaposition, we see the parallel threads of rebirth and renewal woven into the fabric of both holidays. The ancient story of Christ's birth aligns seamlessly with the modern ritual of ushering in a new year, both symbolizing the limitless potential for transformation and growth…hope for a preferred future.
Obstacles vs. Perspective
A change in perspective may NOT change the obstacle itself…but a change in perspective changes you.
Something Has to Change: A Response to the Nashville Covenant Tragedy
I realize we will never legislate morality. I realize we cannot eradicate all the evil of the world. I realize the topic of mass shootings and gun reform are sticky and knotted issues where emotions run high…
Mama Update: (Day 59) Anxiety, Grief, Hope
BUT listen, she’s come a LOONNNGGG WAY from where she was. And we are grateful. Very grateful. But still I grieve what has been lost.
Mama Update: (Day 32) Prayers Brighten Dark Days
“I’m not going to lie to y’all. Yesterday was a dark day for me. A year ago my son went home to be with Jesus. But, even on this dark day, the sun still shines through brightly.” - Wayne Kitchens
Mama Update: (Day 23) New Beginnings
New beginnings can be scary because you don’t know what to expect.
But new beginnings can be exciting for the same reason.
New beginnings come whether we want them to or not.
Mama Update: (Day 15) Christmas at Shepherd
We all cried happy tears. We all hugged and said our “I love yous.”We all appreciated the gift this moment was for all of us. There is no tangible temporal present that could ever replace these precious moments.
Mama Update: (Day 11-13) When Things Don’t Look Like They’re Supposed To
So, yeah, it’s a choice to be grateful. And let me tell you, not a choice I want to make every day. I haven’t updated in a few days because I was frustrated and angry. I was livid with the way big corporate insurance determines the timelines and the best care for humans rather than family and trained medical professionals. I was losing patience with the people around me. And I was discouraged by what looked like steps backward in mama’s recovery. Things weren’t looking like they were supposed to. I could probably go on and on..but we make a choice to be grateful.
Mama Update: (Day 9-10) Perspective is Everything
But when you’ve been at rock bottom, or you’ve stepped right up to the edge of worst-case scenario, you can then see the beauty and joy of being one degree to the right of worst-case. That’s because you have a new perspective, and perspective changes everything. When you take that first baby-step away from the worst, what lies ahead is hope and opportunity. Will you ever get back to “everything is fine”? Who knows, but you’re sure as heck glad to be two steps away from “worst-case scenario.”
Mama Update: (Day 7-8) Another Sunrise Together
Things are dark in the middle of the night. Things may seem hopeless and like there may never be light again. But when the beams begin to peek over the trees, we know another day has come. And with it, a new light.
Mama Update: (Day 6) Miracles on the Horizon
We’re all learning right now. But thankfully, we are all learning together. My mama is still here and still fighting. And we are believing, just like that sun this evening, that big, huge, bright miracles are just over the horizon, even if we have to squint through today.
Mama Update: (Day 5) Slowly Winning the Race
We all know the parable of the tortoise and the hare. We have hare expectations but we’re in a tortoise race.