We Have to Choose to Come Together
I was 18 years old and a freshman in college the first time I realized that there really were people in our modern world that thought people had a different value based on their skin color. I was at an orientation meeting for an organization that I wanted to volunteer with, and the leaders of the organization talked about racism and then went on to tell me that because I was from the South and because I was going to a private college, I must be racist (those were, although pared down, their literal words). They assumed I was wealthy (I was not – I was fully funded through grants and scholarships that I had worked my tail off to earn). They assumed I had family system in place that got me into college (I did not – I was the first person in my family to go to college). And, they assumed my life experience lined up with the narrative they were sharing (it did not). I remember thinking, “You’re telling me I’m racist? Look at yourselves. You’re saying...
A Little Bit Every Day
It’s been a ride lately.
I don’t like to complain about things because I KNOW that I am blessed beyond measure. But the last five years have been personally Intense. And there are a lot of BIG things going on in our world today that are also intense. And my greatest desire in life is to show up well to the things that I’ve been called to and do something that makes the world a better place for everyone.
Lately, God has been putting some new dreams in my heart. And on top of everything else in life, they feel huge, and big, and overwhelming.
A few days ago, on Brett’s birthday, our plan had been to head into the Smokies and take the boys on a short hike to a lesser known water fall with a good swimming area, but as days around here have a tendency to do, things got a little busy and we ended up opting to head to a closer swimming hole instead and skip the hike altogether.
Brett and the big boys were still swimming, but Decklan had gotten cold, so I carried...
Grateful for Gideon
I learned recently that the woman who was responsible for rescuing Gideon died. This woman was responsible for the rescue and rehoming of hundreds of endangered horses and she fought for them right up until she lost her life to the complications of an aggressive form of breast cancer. I didn’t learn of her passing until a few weeks afterwards, but I hope that in her transition to the afterlife that she was able to get a look at all of the horses she saved. And I hope she found joy in Gideon’s life.
When Gideon arrived here, it wasn’t my intention to keep him. I simply planned to pick him up for her, evaluate him, and help him find a safe and loving home to move him to. Lo and behold, that home was to be with us.
I’ll never forget the terrified, stressed animal I saw when I first laid eyes on him. He was suffering multiple injuries (superficial injuries, thankfully) with evidence of many past injuries that were more severe.
Once home and in his new stall, I...