because they need us to remember

by | Sep 13, 2012 | Graceful

Tonight, I’m standing in the middle of a hundred high school students, two up front leading us in worship. I can only see one of them from where I stand, sunglasses on his head, guitar strapped to his front. What will he say to his teenage self in 20 years? I...

dear me . . .

by | Sep 11, 2012 | friendship, Graceful, sisters

Dear me at age 16, So you finally got your braces off and you really do look great. That retainer you picked is going to last you forever, though, so you might want to re-think the purple. I see you there as you drive to the baseball field, Peter Gabriel loud on the...

what would you say to your teenage self?

by | Sep 10, 2012 | Graceful

N ineteeen years ago, I was sixteen. My hair was curlier, my legs were thinner and my heart was fragile, nervous, and searching. It’s good to think back on those days. I have lots of good memories. But I wouldn’t relive them for any amount of food or...

one way to cure writer’s block

by | Sep 7, 2012 | Graceful

Every Friday, my friend Lisa-Jo hosts a link up at her place. The rules are simple: set your timer for five minutes and write from the one-word prompt she gives. No editing. No over-thinking. Just write. It’s a great way to cure writer’s block. Or at least...