For the love of a parakeet As a child raised on a farm, I was surrounded with animals, whether as pets or as a means of livelihood. For a long time, though, I didn’t consider myself an animal lover because I was deliberate as to which animals I allowed myself to love. I wasn’t obsessed [...]
Lessons from a Houseplant
Photo by Valeria Ushakova on Pexels.com As an avid houseplant nurturer, it didn't take me long to realize the similarities between a plant and the one who provided it with its sustenance. I began acquiring houseplants for their living aspect; I wanted more live presence on my shelf than a Willow Tree figurine could give. [...]
Spiritual Hypochondriacs
Photo by Polina Tankilevitch on Pexels.com Denise wakes up to the sound of her alarm clock at six a.m. Even before she shuts it off, she begins her inventory. She stretches, noting that her shoulder isn't as sore as it was yesterday. She slides a foot out of bed. Yup, there's definately a sore spot [...]
Updates from My Corner
Kristina Bower, casual snapshot This platform has undergone a season of silence, not because I don't care about producing content, but because I care so much. I have undergone an intense period of more projects and thoughts than I can ever effectively filter, and many of my blog post drafts are controversial issues which have [...]
Pulling off Grave clothes, Putting on Christ
The further I progress through life, the more I cast off the idea of "finally arriving" to an ideal stage in life where all is easy coasting. I am fully aware that life is a journey, and I'm disillusioned with the concept that "someday you will arrive and all your griefs will be over and [...]
Perspectives on Conflict Management // 2:30 am Visitor, part 2
People handle conflict in various ways. Some flee, some fight, some try to rationalize. Some people believe that use of guns against humans is wrong; some believe it can be merited. Is there any way to make sense of the differing views? Are they all relative, valid, condonable under the right set of circumstances? Is [...]
2:30 am Visitor, part 1
Have you ever experienced a scenario which, although your head told you it was a first time event, still felt like deja vu? Like you've been here before? As a teenager, my husband would have nightmares in which he would be fighting off violent attackers in his home. Once, sleeping on the bottom bunk of [...]
Lessons of Life and Wedding Pants
There is an unspoken law of God that is quick to keep us in check. About the time we think we are perfected in an area, Voila! We find ourselves tested again! About the time you give a testimony on patience, my friend, someone will vex you and you will bite your lip. "I thought [...]
Daily Encounters
I went to Menards for bags of softener salt, and at the checkout, requested for an employee to load it for me. A young man followed me to my car and silently began loading the bags into my car trunk. He kept his head sunken down, with his chin nearly touching his chest. He avoided [...]
I Just Dropped By…
Amy was a young woman who enjoyed spending time with her family, watercolor painting, and garage saling. She and her husband Quinn and their 3 children had recently moved into a new community, with a smaller house and yard. There was so much for Amy to learn in her new community; they didn't do things [...]
