Just Us

With a tight grip on the bench, I watch The same bench I melted into this spring, Now warm beneath my sitting. It is time. Time to get back in. Forcing my feet to stand I am not without thanks. Exhaustion renewed by summer months spent Sidelined. Deep breaths and joy for the hope of a fresh start But belly breathing not sufficient to settle the nerves Nerves that make my walking back from the sideline More like marathon legs being told to follow one after another. I don't love this game. This tournament of sorts we've been playing for a few years now One game after another Ever changing opponents threatening a loss of some kind. Heartbreaking loss. Unfair calls and mid game rule change. Very few substitutions. But here we go. It's game time. Little faces are watching from the bleachers. Cheering on their favorites, The underdogs. Eyes peeled. Watching for role models of resilience, strength and character. Our cheerleaders, part of this team. Bless their little hearts. Compl...

There are so many thoughts I have as this school year comes to an end and I have been praying about the right words for all the feels, the frustrations, the relief, the continued anxiety, the pure exhaustion. So in honor of teacher appreciation week—here’s a short letter to all my fellow teachers that have persevered through an unprecedented time in education. ———————————— Dearest Teacher, Spray and wipe, wipe and spray. Stop for just a second. If I could be with you in person to say this, I would grab your worn hands and look you right in your tired eyes.  You have made it. You made it. There were days you were fully convinced you were not cut out for what would lie ahead in the 2020-2021 school year, but you actually made it. The school year is almost ready to tie up into a nice little bow and you will actually be able to say: It is finished.  If no one has told you lately—-I am SO freakin proud of YOU. Sincerely. You showed up each day whether in person, online, both or fli...

Social media the past several weeks has been absolutely exhausting.  Scrolling through facebook or the news, literally has made me want to chuck my phone across the room OR just sit and weep in total disbelief.  Why do I even get on it?  To be completely honest, I have felt nudged to delete in all together.  Honest.  However, at this time my sweet friend and I are leading a group of ladies in an online book study on prayer...which has been the opposite of my newsfeed.  PRAISE BE! Because of the wonderful accountability and encouragement I have found right now in this online group, I have remained connected. For now. And so I'm writing today, thinking maybe I will be brave enough to move this one from drafts to published.  This post is especially for my friends that believe in God and are seeking to follow Him, even if we often drag our feet or stray back and forth in zig-zag lines trying to.  But also for my friends that maybe don’t identify with ...