Lessons from White Water Rafting

Spending a week in Deep Creek, MD with the family and some friends was ridiculously refreshing. Amidst the spontaneous naps, coding practices, and obsessive reading, I was able to fit in some white water rafting. It was a blast, we had the best guide, and it gave opportunity for many lessons.

As a Father

The inability to do anything presented a need for something I hate: asking for help.

Why Good-byes are the Worst (but Not)

I’ve always been a messy goodbye-sayer. Dormitories where I hung my hammock, trailer homes that shook with the morning stroll, a basement bedroom next to an overly active washing machine…sure, I’m a lover of places. But of course, the pain of leaving is evoked by my torn heart strings wound around those lovely people.

Chosen Reactions

I thought it was a waste of time. I didn’t say that with my mouth, but I said it just as clearly with my face and posture. It was a school-wide program and I was apparently the only one that hadn’t been properly initiated through a two-day-download of information. And so, with a very reluctant […]

Encourage the Strong

I remember sitting in her office, probably for the thousandth time. I was talking about how I wanted to be, who I wanted to be. The loving mentor didn’t seem to get what I was describing. Pointing through the library window, I pointed to her. “That’s how I want to be,” I said wistfully, gesturing towards […]

Given Away: Giving When It’s Still Yours

“Miss Callie! He’s stealing from my box again!” The outraged young lad silenced half the room with his accusation. He straightened to his almost-four-feet, hands clenched, bottom lip firmly turned down. He meant business.

Childlike Faith (Feat. My Favorite Little One)

Faith is not the feeling of things unseen, it is the belief in things unseen.

Do Not Take to Heart

Thus, “do not take to heart everything people say,” because even you have allowed anger to get the better of you. Knowing that we’ve done the same softens the blow, but it still hurts. Hurtful words hurt. Because what if…..they’re true?

3 Things I Wish I’d Known as a Younger Christian

You have a lot ahead of you, but I want you to know three things. I won’t ruin all of the surprises, but here are three to better shape your mental framework.

Interview | The Boyfriend

Your relationship is like having an ox — you’ve got to invest yourself in dealing with the mess that comes with it as well as feed it intentionally with time, energy and love. But at the end of the day, you will reap much more out of it than if you never had it all. I’ve found this applies to all kinds of relationships.