Anyone else worried life is passing you by, mowing you down, speeding along way too fast? You’re trying to do it all but scared you’re missing everything in the process? Well, buckle up, friend, because I’m right here with you, our hair is blowing all over the place, but we’re going to step on the brake and get through this. For me, everything changes NEXT WEEK so perhaps it’s panic mode setting in. Or perhaps I’m afraid that we are ALL in danger of missing the great things God has to offer in life because we’re all so distracted or just plain busy…

Remember when you were a little girl and you dreamed of your very own Prince Charming? Maybe your Barbie got all beautified and met Ken on a blind date under the dining room table, or perhaps you pinned posters of your heart-throb on the bedroom wall and dreamed of being his girlfriend. Your Prince Charming was handsome and funny and rich and attentive. He was perfect. And then you got married for real…

If I knew you were coming… I’d have baked a cake (according to the chirpy little 50’s song.) Or spent all week cleaning. Or had a meltdown. Or feigned a dreadfully contagious sickness and cancelled everything. Oh, the hassles of hospitality! It shouldn’t be this hard—am I right? Especially for all my super busy “Martha” types out there. So much to do. So little time. So much guilt and so little grace. Friends, stay with me, I have good news…

Ever been in a situation or even a season where you question your very purpose in life? Both hands in the air over here! You wonder what on earth you are doing and worry if you are wasting your time (which is precious) or someone else’s time (which is worse) or maybe even God’s time (which is clearly not great.) I’ve been reminded recently that NOTHING is wasted with God. He redeems and restores and revives…

Ahhh, two of my favourite things: summer and reading! Is there actually anything better than a book on a beach? I think not. As an author, reading is part of my job (no, I did not just make that up) and I glean a mixture of fiction to fuel my imagination and non-fiction to feed my mind. Both tend to nourish my soul in differing ways, such is the bookish life. So, friends, settle in for six superb suggestions to throw into your beach bag:

I’m going to be upfront with you: I may currently have a slightly skewed view on wedding anniversary celebrations. You see, we just returned from a ridiculously romantic vacation in gorgeous St. Lucia, but if one can’t celebrate THIRTY YEARS (T-H-I-R-T-Y!) of marriage in paradise, well— I don’t know when one can! Actually, I’m a firm believer that every wedding anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating, and while most of us don’t fly off to the Caribbean on the regular(!) another year of marriage is SO worth honouring in some special way, don’t you think?

I know, it’s not like I didn’t see it coming… but still, the Big 5-0 looms large in these final few days in my forties. I’ve been gleaning the wisdom of others who have gone before me and lived to tell the tale, receiving everything from  “Life begins at 50—you’re going to love it!” to “Seriously, at 50 everything starts falling apart.” Sheesh. Tigger and Eeyore. I’m choosing to go all Tigger on this one…

Who enjoys the waiting? Anyone? I am the WORST. So impatient. Not so much cantankerous and crabby, more anxious and antsy. As a human being, this is unbecoming and as a writer, this is downright disastrous. However, now that I find myself on the other side of one major writerly waiting game, I can look back and see why finding joy in the journey is essential—life is too short to wallow when we can find wonder in the waiting…

We’ve been in a serious relationship for almost 3 years now, my Fitbit and me. We started off all shiny and new, we communicated well, shared promises and goals. We went on beach walks together, he gave me the affirmation I craved. But I eventually realized he was adding an entire layer of stress to my life—and I never signed up for more stress. So a couple of weeks ago, I officially broke up with my Fitbit. It’s still fresh…

Storm watching is fascinating—at least from the comfort of our safe, cozy homes. I rather enjoy taking in a lightning show streaking across the sky, but I’ve never really understood those somewhat crazy enthusiasts who charge right out there to get a front-row view of a twister. Storms happen. Sometimes we are mere bystanders and sometimes we choose to get up close and personal. Not because we are crazy enthusiasts. But because of LOVE…