Our world is full of noise these days. Have you noticed? Everyone has an opinion and is taking freedom of speech to the extreme. Social media rants, protests, negative news reports, and arguments in restaurants and workplaces bombard our senses daily. Other voices hint at war as leaders trade insults and threats. After a while, […]

Sometimes life is like a swim in the ocean when the undertow is strong and the waves are high and forceful. You get knocked down, dragged around, and barely have time to catch your breath before another wave crashes on top of you. Thankfully, seasons also come when life is like a sea that is […]

In recent days, the news has been filled with reports of hurricanes barreling toward the Caribbean and southern states. After the swirling masses pass through, weaken, and blow themselves out, the reports come of devastation—deaths, lost homes and possession, and wrecked lives. My husband and I are in the middle of a uncharted storm, an […]

Recently, I had a phone interview with a website editor about potential work. Prior to the call, I studied the articles on the site and extensively researched the topics on which I hoped to gain assignments. I felt confident and well-prepared for the call. However, the conversation didn’t go as I expected. The editor was […]

Is there someone in your life you gave up communicating with years ago because it was just too difficult? Perhaps you stopped trying because the person consistently misinterprets what you say and looks for reasons to find offense. Or maybe you got tired of that person talking over you, not listening, criticizing, or pooh-poohing your […]

It was talked about it for weeks, months, years even—The Great American Eclipse. My area of South Carolina was in the swath of totality so people traveled here to watch. Hotels were booked weeks in advance and navigating traffic the day before and the day of made you feel as if you were in a […]

So many things in life rob you of not only time, but also peace and forward motion. Some of these thieves are so much a part of your life that you stopped realizing their impact on you long ago. Let’s examine these bandits and see what they steal. Fear – Fear holds a position at […]

In the last few weeks, I’ve been searching for a lost item, a huge wooden bowl that belonged to my mother. When I cleaned out Mama’s house after her death, just seeing the bowl sent me spiraling back in time to innumerable youth fellowships at our house and Neely 4th of July family gatherings. On […]

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Oh, I can’t change the way I am. I’m just like my father (or mother or some other relative) and he did (or said or believed) the same thing.” Blaming your words or actions on the influence of others is a poor excuse. You aren’t required to imitate the negative […]

Pain is something we don’t really think about until we experience it personally or act as a comforter and encourager for someone else who is in pain. I can think of several who are currently dealing with pain, either physical or emotional. While I can hold them close in thoughts and prayers, I can’t change […]