“George Bailey, I’ll love you ‘til the day I die.” Mary leans over the counter and whispers in George’s ear. Only he doesn’t hear her, because he can’t hear out of his right ear. Mary has her heart set on George from a young age. She sees his strong character up close and personal when […]

I recently discovered Brene Brown, a researcher storyteller that gave a Ted Talk  on vulnerability and shame, courage and imperfection, that is so extraordinary I have since watched four times. It’s had 12+ million views, if that helps convince you to watch it. The holidays are the perfect time to talk about being imperfect, are they […]

Oh, yes. The dreaded question from your relatives, your mom, that girl from high school who has “the perfect life”, and the randoms at holiday parties. “Why are you still single?” Or maybe they ask, “Are you dating anyone?” or “What’s new in your love life?”, some variation of the same question that makes you […]

She shared how her dad chastised her for not praying enough, listening to daily sermons, considering her ‘witness’ as she dressed each morning, among others. She was struggling with her self-worth and couldn’t find firm footing in her new faith. My dad has always been perfect and I spent four years drinking and partying and […]

6th grade for me was discovering that I was a ‘late bloomer’, that a lack of athletic talent could be remedied by hard work, that I shouldn’t walk in front of certain boys who liked to pop bra straps, and that decorating your locker and having friends to eat lunch with were what determined “cool”. […]

It’s ok to have multiple sexual partners as long as you’re using protection. It’s ok to lie to your boss as long as it’s good for your long-term career. It’s her problem if she gets attached, just have fun. It’s your body, do whatever you want with it. You’re committed so what the Bible says […]

Michael and I are driving home. Biting rain is hitting the windshield, but we press on. As wind through the mountains of North Carolina, I close my eyes and pray about what to say. “What do people need to hear, Dad?” The rain drummed on, but I had my answer. “Remind them that I haven’t […]

An unusually warm day in November nudged me out the door for a run. I planned to run my usual course: down to the park, left turn by my favorite coffee shop, past all the beautiful homes and quaint restaurants and shops on a main street in town, down Music Row on 17th, and then […]

  It’s a conversation that doesn’t start with asking the question outright. It starts with a job offer, maybe the desire for a new career, talk of graduate school, or any number of life-path defining choices-and suddenly you’re talking around whose career takes precedence without really meaning to. This tension, the push and pull of figuring […]

Most of the time being a writer is not the least bit glamorous. But on occasion you get to buy fancy clothes and put on bright red lipstick and hop on a plane to New York. I tell you, it is the absolute strangest feeling to see yourself on TV. It’s similar to hearing your […]