When is it okay to say ‘no’ when our hearts were trained to say “yes”? Many of us were brought up in a tradition of quiet deference. We learned early that respect was measured in “Yes, sir”and “Yes, ma’am.” That upbringing cultivated a tender conscience—an instinct to lean in when someone reaches out, whether it…
Reclaiming Peace
“Let me check my calendar.” If I had a dollar for every time I uttered those words—or heard them—I’d be a very rich man today. It is far too easy to become a prisoner to a day timer, a pocket planner, or the glowing screen of a smartphone. In fact, most of us live our…
Art of Presence
Generosity is rarely about what is exchanged; it is almost always about where the attention rests. When we offer someone our time—or hold them in quiet, deliberate thought—we are participating in a fundamental form of communion. In a culture driven by hurry, distraction, and transaction, bestowing unhurried attention on another soul is a quiet act…
Stress
No matter how old I get, I still find myself worrying about things completely beyond my control. I know it is futile—and Scripture reminds me not to carry that load—yet a few small things still manage to press that old stress button. The ironic thing about my stress button is that it rarely gets pushed…
Walk In The Light
No man who ignores the rights and needs of others can hope to walk in the light. — Anon. When I was on sabbatical, I kept a journal of quotes that I came across while I was away. From time to time, I go back to the little brown book and it is there where…