It had been a week since my son had gone to school. He had been ill, so I went to his school, talked with his teacher, and picked up his homework. I took it home and looked it over with him, talking him through what was needed. He responded that he would be able to do it and didn’t need help. A few days later my son was feeling better, and he proudly announced all his homework was done and that we now had time to do something fun. We were both excited at this announcement, bo

Potential – what does it really mean? We often talk of reaching our potential as if it is some far-off concept, something elusive that we have not found yet.   When we look at a 16-year-old child and say that “he has a lot of potential”, what are we really saying? And, more importantly, when does that 16-year-old child actually reach his potential?   Is it when he gets married, becomes CEO of a company, starts a non-profit, speaks in 47 countries, helps a friend through a har

Have you ever heard the adage, “It takes more muscles to frown than to smile”? I’ve learned recently that claim depends a lot on definitions and perspectives, but let’s just take it at face value for now (pun intended). The adage is generally used to try to encourage people to smile, as – according to the adage – it’s so much easier than frowning. Doing things merely because of their simpleness or ease never gained much traction with me as being a desired activity, so perhaps

“You are here to do something important.” This whisper has gone through our minds and hearts, teasing us amidst the doldrums of work, life, and the busy days and nights we often face. The whisper may come while reading about others, in quiet moments of reflection, or at random or unexpected times. Yet, no matter how many times we let the thought pass without further action, it seems to come back, weaving its whisper into varied thoughts and feelings we experience.   We believ

Becky was given an opportunity to go with a youth group to hike and camp for several days. She was not excited about it and had early on decided she was not going to go. Many of her family members and friends encouraged her to go; expressing their love, support, and even their need for her to be there. She was grateful to hear that people liked her and wanted her to come, but she expressed that nothing was going to change her mind.   As the day of the trip drew closer, her de