Christmas is a season of contrasts. On one hand, it’s an invitation to awe and wonder—the kind of amazement that comes from marveling at God’s works and His love for us. On the other hand, it can leave many of us saying, “Ahh…”—a sigh born of exhaustion, being overwhelmed, or even deep questioning. We may […]
Category: Listening
Simple Encounters That Heal
The other day, while running a typical errand at the grocery store, I met Jodi. She was my cashier, and like many of us, Jodi had a lot going on—probably more than most. But it wasn’t just the groceries or her job that weighed on her that day. After putting my groceries on the conveyor, […]
What to do after hearing “Not Yet” when you ask for forgiveness. (part 2)
In our last blog, we talked about embracing the “not yet” moments when we ask for forgiveness, allowing space and time for genuine forgiveness, reconciliation, and a deeper connection. We understand forgiveness is often a journey, not a one-time reflex. We learn to be patient, trusting that the journey of forgiveness will ultimately lead to […]
“Not Yet”: Forgiveness and Connection
Last night, my grandson Amari, LeeBoy’s son who is 2 1/2 years old, taught me a profound lesson about forgiveness. As bedtime approached, Amari was full of energy, refusing to settle down. Frustrated, I put him in another bedroom, telling him he’d have to sleep alone if he didn’t calm down. As I left the […]
Have You Ever Been Hijacked?
Yikes… I have! And I’ll bet most of you have too. I’m referring to whenever someone takes control of a conversation, redirecting it to serve their own narrative. “Hijacking” a conversation is a power move, often unintentional, but it shifts the focus from the original purpose to the needs of the hijacker. The second step […]
The Power of Listening: Lessons from My Own Grief
A few years ago, after Leeboy passed, I was deep in grief and wanted to tell people about my son. I wanted others to know about my loss. This is a deep yearning for everyone who has lost a loved one. It’s the inspiration and topic of many books, blogs, movies, podcasts, sermons, and small […]